Hi There, I finally got the OK from my other half to get some chickens, but am finding that most places require a minimum order of 25! I am only looking for 5 to start off with. Would it be best to go to a swap meet to look for them? I checked at our local farm store they will be getting chicks in later this month. Again minimum orders have to be for 25 or more. Any suggestions? I want a variety of pullets. If anyone has a website that doesn't have minimums please let me know! I loved reading all your messages!!!
Where to get chickens?
Minimi:
You might find some birds at a swap meet or flea market. Also, are there any trading journals for sale in the local stores there? They are sold around here and have everything in them from livestock to autos to building materials. They usually are published once a week, you might find some birds there. Many feed/seed stores have a bulletin board where locals can post messages, like livestock for sale. You might check there or post a message of your own offer to split an order with someone?
Virginian
I second Virginian's idea of posting your need at the local farm bureau or feed store. Our town has a "tailgate poultry sale" (includes goats and rabbits lately, too) once a month out by the local community center. The farm bureau or cooperative extension will know if you have one too. Also, farmers markets are a good place to find folks with chickens. See who's selling eggs and start asking...
both great ideas! and check your newspapers classifieds. by doing so i found someone with Black Jersey Giant pullets for sale. the paper was two weeks old, and they were all gone, but i made a new friend!
fyi, the reason for the 25 minimum is that is how many are required to keep them warm and alive during shipment.
tf
FWIW, I glanced at the local shopper and saw 'chickens for sale' and decided to give them a call. Wow, did I ever hit the jackpot!! And, only 2 or 3 miles from me. I'm going to get 2 Sultans on Tuesday, my grands are thrilled and I cannot wait either...
awesome!
tf
Do you all have a period of isolation or "quarantine" before adding new chickens?
Thanks, Tam, if that reply was to me, we are sooooo excited. Our 14++ cat died yesterday, to the Sultan babies should bring some smiles. Z, I intended to quarantine our three new regular sized chickens, but on the second day, the gate blew open while we were working and, poof, they were all scratching and eating together, so much for that. We did quarantine the 6 babies, and let them out, the first time, yesterday, and oh, how they LOVED it. We didn't have the chicken wire up on their chain link fence and before the girls knew it, they all slipped out and high tailed it to the Banty Shack, aka, Chickie Condo, climbed the ladder and all 6 got into Big Biddy's nest of 9 eggs. I was afraid they would break the eggs, but they just cooed and when Biddy came to investigate, they all got under her. I call the attached photo Hen Party - my niece is in the front and my granddaughter is in the back, both 11 - they are holding a couple of the babies and I hope you can see Little Hen, gray, on her nest and the other oh her nest is Big Biddy. I hope their eggs hatch, the kids want to do it the old fashioned way...
Virginian has a good idea of splitting orders with someone. My husband and I just recently did that very same thing with some turkey chicks. We are lucky to have a farm supply here in town that has chicks available without a minimum. Posting a want ad is the best thing to do if you don't have anyone to split with or even look in a thrift paper.
Can you use the store bought eggs for incubation
I found my hens through the Backyard Chicken website forum - here's a link: http://p072.ezboard.com/fbackyardchickensfrm12
I thought I'd start with 5 hens too, lol. It's addictive
Catherine
I've been tempted to order chickens (special attractions), I'm addicted, of course, but I hesitate without actually seeing the property where the chickens were hatched and the parents of the chickens. I live in rural Arky and by chance found a breeder of pure bred chickens only a few miles from me. The difference in the breeder of pure bred chickens and the co-ops and the backyard breeders is miles apart, in my area. Very similar to respected breeders of pure bred dogs and those that breed dogs to make a living.
Eric:
I don't think you would have much luck incubating store bought eggs....they have been chilled too long. You would have better luck getting eggs from a local farmer, fresh from the coop.
Keith
Sherrylike, I love your chicken Coop too! It also looks like you have good help with your Chicks,Happy young ladies there!
Thank you very much 'E', I have two more that are generally in the hen house with them, making is a full coop to say the least. The four girls do lots of the work and take really good care of the chickens...