Where is best place to buy baby chicks this time of year

[PowellAnimals]

Yep! And I know folks get other breeds, but the majority seem to be Easter egger cockerels. I just like to warn folks about the male part, cause how many posts do we see on here about folks freaking out cause their free chick is a boy? Well, same with packing peanuts. Ideal is very clear on their website about using them, but folks simply don't read and then are all shocked when they have a dozen Red cockerels to dispose of.

I actually got an extra female Dominique from Ideal last time I got an extra. I had ordered a few more Dominique pullets at the same time. I definitely appreciate it as I ended up losing one to an owl.

 

[gizzyntaz]

I am one of those that didn't realize that they pack males in for warmth. I actually just contacted Ideal, and they no longer offer the insurance in order for them to not ship the males. Now the charge $1 for straw to be added instead of the cockerels. The extra dollar is worth it to me so I'm not trying to decipher which chicks are the extras when they come in.

Yes, I called and asked for no extras and they just added straw. 9 birds arrived just as I ordered.

 

[shortgrass]

I didn't even know they did that! Packing peanuts...lol that would be a shocker opening that up


Although now I'm thinking, "free dinners?"


I guess if you can house them, its better to grow them up and eat them rather than the likely alternative most male chicks face.


Way to make a buck and save a buck...packing peanuts... Wow!

Sure, for you and I it would be free dinners. But, most folks who make smaller orders aren't in the butchering business and are shocked when they have these cockerels to deal with. they get angry with the hatchery, when it's their own fault for not reading the disclaimer.

True! There's a LOT of littlexred writing and disclaimers that get avoided in the excitement of getting new chicks

Add in that you can't realistically expect that every single bird has been sexed and they don't mark them unless you ask... That could be a whole lotta headache for a newbie wanting 3 pullets to open up a box of cockerels and get really upset at "accidental chicken math"...

I'm still bummed I got what I think is a BA cockerel... But 1 out if 15 isn't bad; I expected at least one sneaker

 

[southernhusky]

Best to call any hatchery that you think may have what you want. I ordered some from Ideal and at first it was we can't fulfill the order, is there anything else you want, then it was we *may* have some which turned into yes we have 10-12. They didn't have enough of the ones showing available on the website(order due to ship 3 weeks from when I placed my order) but they did have several that were showing on the website as "unavailable until 2016".

Realize they are shipping same day they hatch usually so really they don't know exactly since all eggs set wont hatch. Plus if your ordering pullets(that are vent sexed) they may not have enough.

 

[PJones]

My order from Cackle Hatchery came today. First time ordering from them, last was Ideal. I only ordered (small backyard) 5 Rhode Island Reds. I only received 5 and they were packed with a heating pack and a small bit of) green goo/gel nutrients.

 

[southernhusky]

My order from ideal came & I'm happy with it. In one breed I ordered 12 pullets & 2 Roos, they marked Roos even thou I forgot to ask. Also got a straight run asst of crested. One free chick added & I think it's the only solid yellow one. I'm going to start a thread for them, since I know what breeds they could be but haven't seen chicks in them. guess this crested!

 

[Burger Bob]

I currently have 6 Rhode Island Reds and 1 of them is a roster. I have 6 Americaunas all pullets. In late October of this year "2016" I will be looking to get my hands on another 25 or so. I am not sure of the breed I want yet, although I do know I want them to be a big breed which is docile with my chickens I have now. I would like all pullets except for 2 more roosters to go along with that pack. Can anyone guide me in the right direction to obtain what I will be looking for? Help is greatly appreciated!

Burger Bob

 

[azygous]

I currently have 6 Rhode Island Reds and 1 of them is a roster. I have 6 Americaunas all pullets. In late October of this year "2016" I will be looking to get my hands on another 25 or so. I am not sure of the breed I want yet, although I do know I want them to be a big breed which is docile with my chickens I have now. I would like all pullets except for 2 more roosters to go along with that pack. Can anyone guide me in the right direction to obtain what I will be looking for? Help is greatly appreciated!

Burger Bob

No problem. Locate a hatchery nearest to where you live. This is most important, because the closer the hatchery, the less time and distance the chicks will need to be in transit through the US Postal Service, thus being easier on them. Then call the hatchery and place your order. You can even pre-order from most hatcheries.

 

[Kdunn222]

I have week old bantam chicks. Father a D'UCCLE and one mom a silkie other Easter eggers. Located in MD. I have no problem hatching if I know I can get good homes. I'm not a big company just love chickens and ducks.
Also need home for year old rir with no roosters. Sweet and clingy.

 

[Burger Bob]

Thanks for the help. I am new to this site and trying to learn all about it. Can you tell me how to locate the nearest hatchery to where I live?

Thanks,
Bobby Breaux