Where do I order a small number of chicks ?

[elmo]

Quote:
This can happen sometimes when you order from a hatchery, too. Unless you pick a sex link breed (females and males are different colors), sexing day old chicks isn't 100 percent accurate.

I was going to order from a hatchery but ended up getting our chicks from a local breeder. I'm so glad I did! I've since learned things about the way the big hatcheries operate that make me grateful I didn't support that. I can't prove it, but I believe the genetic stock of my chickens is superior to what I would have gotten from a hatchery (they breed for quantity, not for quality). Mine are certainly healthy, beautiful birds, and I was able to see the parents and what conditions the chickens were kept in before I got the chicks. That was worth a lot to me.

One of our five chicks did turn out to be a rooster. We tried to keep him, but had to find a new home for him when a neighbor complained (roosters are against the law where we live). It was sad to let him go, but I'm still happy that we were able to have him for a year and see how a flock is with a rooster in it. It was fascinating and wonderful to watch the natural behaviors.

And before he left, our little rooster fertilized a bunch of eggs which have now hatched out into beautiful chicks. Some of them will be little cockerels that we will need to find new homes for, too, but this time we plan to rehome them before they are full grown.

 

[write2caroline]

I ordered twice from MPC and got great results - healthy chicks, My third order comes Aug 2
Caroline

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[bigdaddyabc]

Purely Poultry sells in 5 packs.....

 

[nuts4hotwheels]

Quote:
This can happen sometimes when you order from a hatchery, too. Unless you pick a sex link breed (females and males are different colors), sexing day old chicks isn't 100 percent accurate.

I was going to order from a hatchery but ended up getting our chicks from a local breeder. I'm so glad I did! I've since learned things about the way the big hatcheries operate that make me grateful I didn't support that. I can't prove it, but I believe the genetic stock of my chickens is superior to what I would have gotten from a hatchery (they breed for quantity, not for quality). Mine are certainly healthy, beautiful birds, and I was able to see the parents and what conditions the chickens were kept in before I got the chicks. That was worth a lot to me.

One of our five chicks did turn out to be a rooster. We tried to keep him, but had to find a new home for him when a neighbor complained (roosters are against the law where we live). It was sad to let him go, but I'm still happy that we were able to have him for a year and see how a flock is with a rooster in it. It was fascinating and wonderful to watch the natural behaviors.

And before he left, our little rooster fertilized a bunch of eggs which have now hatched out into beautiful chicks. Some of them will be little cockerels that we will need to find new homes for, too, but this time we plan to rehome them before they are full grown.

I was thinking that it would be good to see the parents and the farm as well. I understand what you are saying about the big hatcheries. My family has become vegetarian except for free range eggs due to us, not wanting to contribute to factory farming of animals. I am glad that you brought up this point.

 

[suzyq53511]

but on the other hand those chicks that you dont get from a hatchery may go to someone who treats them like crap or just get culled....

 

[Mahonri]

I would try and find a local breeder or get sex linked chicks from a good feed store.

Or you could buy a small incubator and order a half dozen hatching eggs from here on BYC.

There are breeders who could send you a variety of eggs.

 

[DerbyChook]

I got mine at a local old-timey hardware store, 3 sex-links, a barred rock and a Rhode Island red. The hardware store orders from Ideal. The chicks were kept in a nice clean cage in the store. No dead chicks there, blech! I asked and they said that next year, if I wanted a specific breed, they would be willing to add my order to their regular order, saving me shipping and allowing me to get a small number of chicks. So far, my chicks have been extremely healthy. I am very pleased with them

 

[AZKat]

FWIW, I was very happy with MPC, both in terms of the customer service, and the chicks all arrived happy, healthy and all of them were pullets. The one downside was the cost-I paid about $5 a chick, if you factor in the cost of shipping. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy the 25 chick assortment special that MPC offers each spring, and sell the excess on Craigslist.

 

[featherz]

Quote:
Ditto this! My order from MPC was of very happy chicks (too early to tell if they are sexed correctly, but no red combs at 4 weeks so far) but they are pricey with shipping. I think I'll order the 25 pack next year as well.