Where to get chicks?

[themidnightmama]

This is not my first time having chickens, but in the past I've only gotten adolescent birds from a neighbor who raises chickens. The last ones I got from him were infested with lice, so I've decided to purchase some on my own this time. What are some good options for ordering chicks? Our local options are very limited, and I would prefer a trusted source. A secondary question - what exactly do I need to take care of the chicks until they are mature enough to put outside in the coop?

 

[Kiki]

Ideal Poultry.
https://www.idealpoultry.com/

 

[nuthatched]

Murray McMurray, cacklehatchery, craigslist, it depends who your looking for. feed and hardware stores have chickens this time of year.

 

[featheredplanets]

Really depends on what country you’re from?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Assuming you're in US? Most of the big hatcheries should be fine to order from if you're worried about biosecurity. Since I only get a few chicks at a time I look to local feed stores (that order from hatcheries) rather than place direct orders. If there's specific breeds you want, you could possibly ask your feed store to add it to their orders.

As far as what you need to raise chicks, the very minimum you'd need is some sort of safe brooding area (whether inside your house or outside in the coop or run), a heat source, chick appropriate feed, and some sort of waterer that they can't drown themselves in.