Why Do People Buy Live Chicks From Breeders and Farm Stores‭?

[lomine]

I've have ordered chicks from hatcheries, gotten chicks at feed stores, hatched chicks from my own flock in an incubator, and had broody raised chicks. Here are some advantages to buying from hatcheries and/or feed stores:
- Can get sexed pullets (huge advantage for those with backyard flocks that can't have roosters)
- Can get small numbers of many different breeds (breeders have limited varieties and often have minimum quantity requirements)
- Chicks are less likely to carry diseases (especially compared to older birds)
- If chicks die during shipping most hatcheries offer a refund, no such guarantee with shipped eggs that don't hatch

I love hatching eggs from my flock but I can see why it's not an option for some and why others simple don't want to do it. Most backyard flock keepers aren't looking to get new birds every year and if they are they aren't looking for large quantities. Getting 2 or 3 chicks from the feed store is way easier than trying to incubate eggs in hopes of hatching some pullets and then having to deal with males that no one really wants. It's especially hard for those who don't want the males to be eaten. For me, extra males become dinner so I can hatch as much as I want without worrying about the number of boys. Having said that, I have ordered sexed pullets from hatcheries because I wanted certain rarer breeds and I didn't want to pay for males I didn't want.

On a side note, all my chicks are either broody raised or are in the coop under a heat plate. They become hardy birds and are fully integrated into the flock at a young age. Heavy losses are not normal if you brood chicks outside but you do need to know what the chicks need.

 

[Poultry Place]

1. Hatching eggs you never know how many you are going to get.
2. Pullets or full grown birds always seem to cost more than it would to raise them from chicks yourself.
3. I like to interact with them and get them used to being around people from a young age.

 

[Shadrach]

Having been told off for my tone of posting I'll try awfully hard to sound nice

- Chicks are less likely to carry diseases (especially compared to older birds)

Is this true? If you believe it to be true, why?

- If chicks die during shipping most hatcheries offer a refund, no such guarantee with shipped eggs that don't hatch

Not a lot of help for the dead chicks though.

 

[lomine]

1. Hatching eggs you never know how many you are going to get.
2. Pullets or full grown birds always seem to cost more than it would to raise them from chicks yourself.
3. I like to interact with them and get them used to being around people from a young age.

On point number 2, that's because the person selling them wants to be compensated for the time they spent caring for the bird.

 

[Poultry Place]

On point number 2, that's because the person selling them wants to be compensated for the time they spent caring for the bird.

I am aware which is exactly why I would prefer to buy chicks. I would buy adults just depends if the price is reasonable.

 

[lomine]

Having been told off for my tone of posting I'll try awfully hard to sound nice


Is this true? If you believe it to be true, why?

Not a lot of help for the dead chicks though.

Yes, it is very sad to open a box and see dead chicks. In fairness to the hatchery, in my case it was the fault of the post office.

There are some diseases that can be passed through the egg from the hen but the vast majority are passed through contact with bodily fluids, feces, dander, organisms in the dirt, or wild birds. Chicks hatched in hatcheries aren't exposed to any of those things so they are very unlikely to have diseases. That's not to say they can't get sick; they can but it's more likely to be caused by other issues like too much stress or the wrong brooder environment. Plus older birds can also have pests which hatchery chicks would not have.

 

[Chickassan]

All true, in trade though your chance of getting birds with genetic defects are in general higher with hatchery chicks. Some hatcheries being more notorious than others for such things.

Yes, it is very sad to open a box and see dead chicks. In fairness to the hatchery, in my case it was the fault of the post office.

There are some diseases that can be passed through the egg from the hen but the vast majority are passed through contact with bodily fluids, feces, dander, organisms in the dirt, or wild birds. Chicks hatched in hatcheries aren't exposed to any of those things so they are very unlikely to have diseases. That's not to say they can't get sick; they can but it's more likely to be caused by other issues like too much stress or the wrong brooder environment. Plus older birds can also have pests which hatchery chicks would not have.

 

[lomine]

I am aware which is exactly why I would prefer to buy chicks. I would buy adults just depends if the price is reasonable.

Sorry, didn't mean to make it sound snarky or anything. I've sold grown out pullets and hens before. I had a women who tried to get me to sell for below what it cost me to feed the bird and she acted like I was crazy to ask for more. So if the subject comes up I like to point out that buyers aren't just paying for the price of a chick plus the cost of feed.

I prefer to raise chicks too but older birds are a good option for people who don't want to buy brooder supplies and mess with raising chicks. Also good for those who don't want to wait 4-6 months for eggs. And if you get them old enough you can guarantee gender.

 

[Poultry Place]

Sorry, didn't mean to make it sound snarky or anything. I've sold grown out pullets and hens before. I had a women who tried to get me to sell for below what it cost me to feed the bird and she acted like I was crazy to ask for more. So if the subject comes up I like to point out that buyers aren't just paying for the price of a chick plus the cost of feed.

I prefer to raise chicks too but older birds are a good option for people who don't want to buy brooder supplies and mess with raising chicks. Also good for those who don't want to wait 4-6 months for eggs. And if you get them old enough you can guarantee gender.

You didn't come across as rude and I hope I didn't either. I would want what they are worth. Including the time I have invested in them. I have seen many try to sell that just simply seem overpriced. I won't get into that though.

 

[lomine]

You didn't come across as rude and I hope I didn't either. I would want what they are worth. Including the time I have invested in them. I have seen many try to sell that just simply seem overpriced. I won't get into that though.

You didn't, no worries.