Where to purchase our first chicks from?

[xpchick]

Hello,
We are hoping to purchase our first chicks this spring for egg laying, and then also some meat birds. I know Country Max brings in chicks in a couple of months, but is that a good way to purchase chicks? Obviously I want healthy birds, but I'd also like chicks where Mom and Pop are well cared for. I don't want to purchase chicks from a factory where the parents never see daylight.

I am very familiar with this in regards to dogs, but not with chickens. Can someone enlighten me on what to look for, where may be a good starting point, etc?

Thank you!
Sherry

 

[Bridebeliever]

Where are you located? You could search your local thread for breeders in your area.

 

[CascadiaRiver]

I dont know Country Max and it might just be a feedstore, but near me there are about 6 feedstores who always carry amazing quality birds. Though there is a really good chance of them being from factory parents. Since you dont want that, I would say craigslist is a pretty good place to find chicks, unwanted roosters and hatching eggs. You could always try to find a 4H group or places like Facebook and try to find any nearby poultry shows, most poultry shows in the spring sell chicks and also might be able to hook you up with breeders ^^

 

[xpchick]

Thanks to both of you! I'm located in NY. When is the best time of year when you have 4 seasons to bring in chicks?

Country Max is just a feed store. So most places like that probably get their chicks from factories? That was my guess, but I was really hoping not.

 

[Bridebeliever]

Yes, most of the feed stores get their chicks from Hatcheries. I have to say, I purchased from My Pet Chicken and I am SUPER happy with my birds. They are very vigorous and healthy. They are 17 weeks old now.

I bought my Chocolate Orpington from a local feed store who got her from a local breeder. I got my latest chicken (an Araucana) from the Humane Society. There are many ways to acquire your chicks.

I also live in 4 seasons country over here in Washington State. I got my current chicks in September and I will get my next batch in the beginning of April. I have really liked raising my chicks in the fall/winter and come spring I will have layers! I'll see how I like getting spring chicks soon.

 

[greenleaf]

Hello,
We are hoping to purchase our first chicks this spring for egg laying, and then also some meat birds. I know Country Max brings in chicks in a couple of months, but is that a good way to purchase chicks? Obviously I want healthy birds, but I'd also like chicks where Mom and Pop are well cared for. I don't want to purchase chicks from a factory where the parents never see daylight.

I am very familiar with this in regards to dogs, but not with chickens. Can someone enlighten me on what to look for, where may be a good starting point, etc?

Thank you!
Sherry

http://FowlStuff.com/FFAQ.html#four
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[CascadiaRiver]

I also live in Washington, and I would say spring is good for chicks, then you can have older birds prepared for when winter comes along. Or if you have them as babies inside, maybe also consider getting them in late winter keeping them inside until the weather goes good again ^^