Where do you all get your chickens?

[bradymars]

You should buy from a breeder who has bred his own line of birds instead of hatchery chicks wich are mass produced. There's a ton of poultry breeds that are out there. My Asils were all either gifts from friends who are serious breeders or from well known reputable breeders. I like the hard feathered breeds (Orientals) and a lot of the long feathered breeds, Black Sumatras are high on the list and Satsumadoris.

 

[peckpeckpeck]

Pioneer Valley backyard chicken association has some info on local resources in western mass.
http://pioneervalleybackyardchickenassociation.weebly.com/

If you get laying pullets between now & Oct, you'll be fine there. I had my girls outside starting 5-6 weeks in May when temps were still dropping down to 40' & they're really hardy. And if you them from local, they're already acclimated to that area.

Unless you're experienced, I would definitely not recommend incubating yourself. Chicks are enough work as is!

I lived in Northampton about 20 yrs ago & miss it!! Lucky you that you're in western mass! My dream is still to retire to Shelbourne Falls

 

[peckpeckpeck]

are you getting breeds like Plymouth Rock or Rhode Island or New Hampshire? These breeds originated from that area so should do better than for example any Mediterranean breeds that aren't bred for cold NE winters

 

[Diannastarr]

I'm paranoid about disease issues, and either raise my own chicks, or buy from good hatcheries. I have bought chicks from a couple of good show breeders with no health problems, but never get chicks or outside birds from anyone. It's kept my flock clean for many years! You need to decide how risk adverse you are, and go forward from there. Mary

gosh i guess i would spend a lot of time looking for the best places that breeds show quality in the breeds you want and buy one or 2 young pullets and also buy eggs...!!!!!

 

[Diannastarr]

I got my birds from 3 different places at about the same time. I bought a 10 pack of brown egg layers online from Tractor supply, only 2 survived. The day I received them in the mail I bought 6 more from a Tractor Supply store in my area. Two weeks later I bought 4 more birds from a local feed store and 2 weeks after that I picked up 4 eggers from the same place. Not sure if they have the same requirements in other states, but here you have to buy at least 6 chickens at a time.


Check with your local TSC b/c many of them have chicks right now. Not sure why, but my local store had chicks the past couple weeks. https://www.tractorsupply.com/landing-pages_events_chick-days.html?cm_re=20170814-_-BANNNER-_- Chick+Days

mine to, my local tsc had chicks a week ago and then got more after that, they looked good & healthy i must say,

 

[WhiteWyan]

I was in Tractor Supply yesterday and they had chicks.

I'm fine with tsc but they don't get chicks until spring and I'd like them sooner.

I'll keep looking!

 

[ehoneybee]

Pioneer Valley backyard chicken association has some info on local resources in western mass.
http://pioneervalleybackyardchickenassociation.weebly.com/

If you get laying pullets between now & Oct, you'll be fine there. I had my girls outside starting 5-6 weeks in May when temps were still dropping down to 40' & they're really hardy. And if you them from local, they're already acclimated to that area.

Unless you're experienced, I would definitely not recommend incubating yourself. Chicks are enough work as is!

I lived in Northampton about 20 yrs ago & miss it!! Lucky you that you're in western mass! My dream is still to retire to Shelbourne Falls

Ah, the bridge of flowers!

 

[ehoneybee]

are you getting breeds like Plymouth Rock or Rhode Island or New Hampshire? These breeds originated from that area so should do better than for example any Mediterranean breeds that aren't bred for cold NE winters

Yes, I plan to get Plymouth Rock, Orpingtons, Aracanas. That's mainly what's offered around here anyway.

 

[azurbanclucker]

My commons (barred rocks, Delawares, EE's,and recently a bunch of langshans) I've gotten from places like Tractor Supply or other feed shops. For my less common birds, local breeders. I like visiting the local breeders and seeing the stock my chicks are coming from, to get an idea of what to expect from them as they grow out as far as looks and temperament go.