Where to get chicks?

[BrockportChick]

I'm only allowed to have 6 hens, but mail order chicks seem to require 15 chick minimum. I have a couple local chain stores that do "chick days," but I don't want to waste time or money on mixed-sex or unreliably-sexed chicks (or risk my kids getting attached to a bird we can't keep!). I also want a colorful mix of birds and eggs.
Any ideas?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Mypetchicken.com sells small orders.....for a fee of course.

When are you looking to have them arrive?
Weather plays a big part in order minimums and survival rate.

Are there people you might be able to split an order with?
Maybe asking on your states thread can locate others in the same situation in your area that could split an order.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/where-am-i-where-are-you.26/

 

[DobieLover]

I'm only allowed to have 6 hens, but mail order chicks seem to require 15 chick minimum. I have a couple local chain stores that do "chick days," but I don't want to waste time or money on mixed-sex or unreliably-sexed chicks (or risk my kids getting attached to a bird we can't keep!). I also want a colorful mix of birds and eggs.
Any ideas?

Meyer Hatchery.
Their 3 chick minimum runs April through Nov. In our area, it's best to wait until the end of April to minimize shipping stress.
I have a mixed flock from them but I don't have a 6 chicken restriction.

 

[azygous]

My Pet Chicken is one mail order outlet. I've ordered a few times from them, and you can get as few as three as long as you're within one day shipping distance from the Ohio Meyer Hatchery where they are incubated and hatched and shipped.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Murray McMurray has quite a few chicks that you can order at a 6 chick minimum, but only from the ones that are marked for 6 minimum..

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm only allowed to have 6 hens, but mail order chicks seem to require 15 chick minimum. I have a couple local chain stores that do "chick days," but I don't want to waste time or money on mixed-sex or unreliably-sexed chicks (or risk my kids getting attached to a bird we can't keep!). I also want a colorful mix of birds and eggs.
Any ideas?

If you wait until the weather warms a bit, Meyer Hatchery will drop the minimum order to 3.
I can't remember now if it's March or April, you will have to watch their site.

My Pet Chicken has a minimum order of 3 right now I believe. They are not a hatchery, but they are a 3rd party that has drop shipment from hatcheries like Meyers.

Even though chicks are sexed when you order from a hatchery, you may still get an accidental cockerel. Humans make mistakes in sexing. Personally, I've never had that problem when ordering, but others have.

 

[ariri30]

Meyer Hatchery.
Their 3 chick minimum runs April through Nov. In our area, it's best to wait until the end of April to minimize shipping stress.
I have a mixed flock from them but I don't have a 6 chicken restriction.
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Beautiful

 

[DobieLover]

Beautiful

Thanks.
They sell decent birds. I was trying to show @BrockportChick the type of bird she might get and the egg basket she might produce.
I have 18 different breeds in the flock and one mixed breed pullet who happens to be my very favorite regardless of the fact her father and I don't get along all that well.

 

[Papmike]

I'm only allowed to have 6 hens, but mail order chicks seem to require 15 chick minimum. I have a couple local chain stores that do "chick days," but I don't want to waste time or money on mixed-sex or unreliably-sexed chicks (or risk my kids getting attached to a bird we can't keep!). I also want a colorful mix of birds and eggs.
Any ideas?

I would wait and buy at your local store. Sexing is done by the same people for both home delivery or farm store delivery with the same accuracy. Not 100%, but close. Save on shipping cost and more expensive chicks. Your children will also get great enjoyment picking out adorable chicks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would wait and buy at your local store. Sexing is done by the same people for both home delivery or farm store delivery with the same accuracy.

If going this route, make sure to educate yourself about the store and the breeds they're carrying, as some stores (TSC is kind of famous for it) are unfortunately infamous for having chicks labeled incorrectly right off the bat or allowing buyers to handle chicks, which then get placed into the wrong bins.

An ideal store would have at least a couple of employees knowledgeable about chickens, and will not allow buyers to just willy nilly pull chicks from bins and put them back.