Buying Chicks

Buying chicks

Where to buy chicks

May people associate spring with fuzzy baby chicks, but modern hatchery practices make chicks available year-round. Once you know which breed is right for you, select a reputable hatchery or dealer from which to purchase your chicks.

1. Feed stores are an excellent source in the spring time. Check around first to determine what breeds you want and if you only want hens. When you get to the store, you will likely see different bins with different breeds of chicks as well as the terms "Pullets" and "Straight Run".

2. Local internet or newspaper listings. However, be sure to check for lice and mites and keep your new chicks separate from any other birds for 30 days.

Not recommended: there are internet websites that will ship chicks to you, but in general it's best (more humane) for the birds and better for your fellow local chicken farmers if you purchase within your local community.

A chick a few hours old

How many chicks should I get?

Determining the number of chicks for the area available

Careful and realistic housing capabilities are critical to determining the number of birds you will be able to support.

You will need 4 a mimium of 4 square feet of ground area per bird.
Look at the avaialble breeds and their productivty. During weeks of peak productivity, high productivity breeds will lay approximately 5 eggs per week during high laying times. Medium laying breeds and those designed for either meat or egg purposes will lay about 3 eggs per week. These numbers will be less on very cold days, rainy days and very hot days.
Consider the lifestyle your birds will live. Will they be allowed to free range during the day? If so, you will not require as large of a yard area, but there will be days you may not wish to allow your birds to free range, such as predators that may have temporarily entered the area or inclement weather, so be sure to allow for sufficient space for your birds to comfortably remain in their housing areas during these times. Overcrowding quickly leads to dysfunctional behavior and aggression.
If your birds are allowed to free range, it is safest to keep them under a protected area where they are protected from predatory birds as well as kept at a safe distance from wild birds that may carry disease. In addition, be sure their water and food sources are not accessible to wild birds.

Space considerations for happy chickens is very important

Pullets versus Straight Run

. Pullets: sexed to be only girls, but sometimes there is the occasionally error.
Straight-run: meaning luck of the draw on the sex for the chicks you select. Straight run bins usually carry a lower price tag since you'll likely have some males in your selection and no one has taken the time or trouble to try to sex the birds.