Why Wait?

[jgaepi]

I need a sanity check. I have the coop outside. I have the supplies for the chicken run and it will be complete sunday. I have the chick brooder set up and ready. A full operation with the flick of a switch. But I have had little luck finding chicks - we started late. There are some options, I can get slightly older ones via craigslist. I can buy some gucci breeds like Lavender Orpington or bearded polish something or other. But I really just want some normal chicks to start with. I want this to be painless for me and a good learning experience for my young kids.

So A) Should I just wait and let things collect dust until early March when i can get sexed chicks from the feed store
B) Pay extra and roll the dice on some rare breeds I have zero experience with
C) Get older birds and lose some of the initial experience
D) Get eggs through the mail and really get the experience from day one

 

[turtlebird]

I would chose "A"
EVEN THO' I am incredibly impatient....I'd probably spend the time researching the whole "which breed is best for our family" thing totally to death and then wait to get what I wanted. But that's my personality. Others are perfectly happy just jumping right in there with whatever is around.
Chicks in the spring time is pretty fun. Whatever you chose....woooo-hooooo for you! Have fun with your new chickens

 

[stephanie1992]

u could hatch eggs. ur in Davis california? kinda far from where i live but not to far. I have a Cockrel if u want it to get u started lol. hes a month old so hes still a chick.I could prob ship. there are breeders who will shipped shipped eggs. look at the eggs for sale on here. do u have an incubator? if not i can check into shipping if u want this chick. im not allowed roosters. otherwise id keep him.

 

[CheerioLounge]

For me.... it would be A or D. Probably A, cuz I am a "want to see what I'm buying" kind of guy. But I am also impatient and a little crazy, so maybe D. Hope that helps!!

 

[jgaepi]

In Davis we can't have roosters either. Plus I have 5 neighboring houses all within a 50 ft radius

 

[stephanie1992]

aww ya didnt think of that. id just go online and see if u could find sexed chicks. have u tryed my pet chicken.com

 

[MustLoveHens]

Or...you could call Belt Hatchery and see what they have available. Possibly drive down to Fresno and pick up the chicks-then possilby they might not have a 25 chick minimum????

Also there is CaliforniaHatchery.com. They have a 3 chick minimum.....might be worth a look see:

http://www.californiahatchery.com/

See chicks..... without the wait! Also being in Cali, you have access to a boat load of poultry clubs

and various 4-H/FFA group. I'm sure you can find chicks that way too!!
I was in the Sea Side Feather Fanciers poultry club when I lived in Cali. They are in So Cal (Ventura) but I know people from all over Cali came to our shows.
Here is their site, it might be a start!:

http://www.seasideff.org/


ETA:
Oh by the way Welcome to the Forum and I'm a horrible enabler.....

 

[slim1986]

I would agree with going with "A", either feed store chicks, or hatchery chicks this spring is what I would do, look up some hatcheries online and find a breed or assortment that works for you and your family! Try mcmurry hatchery, cackle hatchery, or welp hatchery, they all have a decent variety and good deals

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I imagine your climate is pretty good through winter. I wouldn't be afraid of rare breeds unless they are very pricey.
The rare breeds I've raised have been a pleasant surprise, some of the hardiest birds I've had and you'll be contributing your share to preserving genetic diversity.

 

[ChickenDal]

I can totally relate.I searched CL local farmers market,community fourums,Yahoo groups.My resolve.Found hatching eggs on Ebay with a free hatching service.Very reasonably priced.Now I need to get a lamp for the brooder cause I got 10 Barred Rock chicks on the way!