Where to get chicks?

[Italianmango]

Hello, we are looking to add to our flock and am looking for suggestions on where to purchase specific heritage chicken breeds. Also, when ordering female chicks, are their accuracy good that I will get females? Thank you!

 

[DemeterAD9]

Honestly I find it is best to get chicks from the closest hatchery but do keep in mind their customer reviews. You will hear bad reviews from pretty much any hatchery though. A lot of hatcheries have a minimum of 3+ chicks per breed which I’m not a fan of. There are also order minimums that have to be met before they can ship out. Often times chick minimums in the warmer months are as low as 3 but IMO getting more would be best to help keep them warm, plus there is usually an extra fee for small orders. Sexing can be a toss up, good hatcheries will be pretty accurate but there can be mistakes. Be sure to read over DOA rules as well so you know what to expect.

I have ordered from Meyer hatchery which is based in Ohio and I like them pretty well. You only have to have one chick of each breed but there is a minimum of 8 total before they will ship them out. I usually get 15+ to get more affordable shipping rates. Price is decent and quality has also been decent. Most of my flock is from their stock and I haven’t had any health issues with them. All pullets that I ordered ended up being pullets and their straight run options were a good mix of male/female.

Of course you can always get chicks from the local feed stores when chick season comes around. Just know they don’t always have the breeds you want and the chicks can be mislabeled.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Check local farm/feed stores. Mine puts out a preorder in February for pickup in Mar-May. You're at least guaranteed live, healthy (at the time) birds. Most common heritage breeds will be available, like Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Wyandottes, etc. I much prefer this to hatchery shipping, but to each their own.

I've purchased 15 sexed female birds over the years, and have yet to receive a male.