Where to buy chickens?

[Aceoky]

One thing to maybe consider, when you get from TSC, Rural King etc. they have taken the shipping "hits" already;their chicks are often several days old , the weak have mostly been "weeded out " for you also at least here, once they've had them a couple weeks they'll mark them down in price to move them out , we recently got 4 wk old olive eggers for half price.

 

[Killer Tomato]

Agree, normally most feed stores wouldn't even be holding black copper marans because they are an expensive breed known for excellent physical traits and dark brown eggs. eBay has ones that are"npip certified" and are of excellent quality. If the hatching eggs are too cheap that you purchase from some sellers then they tend to be of poor quality, both the chickens and eggs.

I know! I paid $12 for that BC Marans chick, and she was a Jersey Giant! Super sweet hen though.

I've never incubated eggs, but I'm really thinking about getting eggs from good breeders on ebay. It looks really fun (and addicting!).

 

[Killer Tomato]

Check out Fat Hen Farms for Marans.

I will, thanks!

 

[ChickenLeg]

I know! I paid $12 for that BC Marans chick, and she was a Jersey Giant! Super sweet hen though.

I've never incubated eggs, but I'm really thinking about getting eggs from good breeders on ebay. It looks really fun (and addicting!).

Buying shipped eggs can be a huge waste in my opinion, just a heads up!

Not always, but a lot of times shipping is harsh on eggs. So be prepared if none or only 1 or 2 hatch. And for $30-50 per dozen, with few to hatch, it can be upsetting if youre especting something great.

That being said some people have great luck with shipped eggs, I never have nor has my neighbor who has tried purchasing shipped eggs several times.

 

[Killer Tomato]

*Upsetting* would be the rated G version!!! Thanks for the tip!

 

[New2Chicks97]

Most of ours have come from the local feed stores. At least our store has a knowledgeable person who is in charge of the chicks. Also people aren’t allowed to grab chicks and put them in the wrong bins. We got the breeds we intended to get though they still had their Easter Eggers labeled as Americana Easter Eggers.

We have some that we have bought from local people who ordered extra chicks to fulfill online hatchery requirements. All of those came to me as slightly older chicks or POL pullets. All of these birds are nice birds but definitely the majority are pet quality.

Next year I plan on getting as many of my chicks as I can locally. I know there are NPIP breeders locally that have many of the breeds I am interested in. The ones I want to order I plan on finding someone local to share an order with me so I don’t have to find homes for extra birds.

 

[Cryss]

Wow, Thankyou! all good info!
I found someone somewhat local with a NPIP certified flock that I might try.

I was just about to suggest this. My local breeder guarentees gender and will exchange if you get an accidental rooster. I only buy from him because I don't want to cross contaminate from different farms/hatcheries. That's how to end up losing your flock to disease.