| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  Chickens 101  |
|
|
MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 11:50:58 AM
|
So I won't be jumping into the chicken raising thing until NEXT spring, but had a couple questions anyway...
I would 4 hens and rooster. But I want chicks. I know you cant tell the sexes apart that soon on your own, but is it worth it to purchase sexed chicks? I would like to get them from someone I know, I dont like the idea of having them shipped in a box or getting them from a hatchery. Seems too "mechanized' or something. Also, what do you think the estimated cost would be for 3 Orpingtons and 2 Plymouth Rocks? I haven't done a ton of research yet (i.e. calling local farm store), just wanted to put my questions out here and see if anyone has any advice... Thank you :)
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More |
|
|
Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 12:05:21 PM
|
hi,
yes it is worth it to get sexed chicks. On average you'll pay about $2.25 for sexed chicks depending upon the time of year. I bought 2 sexed chicks at my local feed supply store back on Nov.30th. They were ameracauna and buff orpington.
both hens...
check a local feed store around mid Feb./early March for the first shipments of the spring.
They can even special order a specific breed for you if you get in there a bit before Feb. and let them know that you are looking for specific breeds and sexes...or right before they expect to order.
(at least my feed store will)I can order as little as 1 of a certain breed if I get in on the time that they are ordering..I can order any breed/variety/sex I want and they'll hold it for me.(I'm thinking I may like to order a few frizzles next)
Back in November when I visited the feed store when they got the winter shipment in..the chicks were all sexed..males had ink spots on their heads so that you knew exactly what you were/weren't getting. I also asked the shopkeeper if for some weird reason I wound up with a male could I return it afterwards and exchange it for a hen if there was a mistake in the sexing of the chicks..she said yes I could.So..do ask about a return policy just in case there is a fluke with the sexing of them.
Good luck!
----------
p.s. you might want to check out the website www.backyardpoultrymag.com
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
Edited by - Tina Michelle on Mar 02 2008 12:30:45 PM |
 |
|
|
MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 12:57:55 PM
|
SO helpful, thank you :) $2.25???? I read somewhere that is is expensive to get chicks sexed. I guess if you are buying 50+ that makes sense, but $2.25(ish) is more than do-able!
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More |
|
|
|
PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 1:29:10 PM
|
You probably won't find a hatchery that will ship you only 5 chicks. Most have a minimum order of 25 for warmth. I have had great success with ordering from hatcheries- my farm store usually only has meat breeds, nonsexed.
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 1:43:00 PM
|
Hmmm...I don't think I wanna jump right into 25 birds. Wonder if I could go in on it with some other people...and we could share them?! I feel funny shipping chicks :-/
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More |
|
|
|
Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
|
|
Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 7:42:13 PM
|
some feed stores have them shipped in but like my feed store sometimes they buy from local breeders. so always ask. lots of times they know who locally is breeding/selling particular livestock. also check the feed store bulletin boards. ours has a bulletin where items are posted.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
|
|
|
MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 07:29:49 AM
|
So helpful, thanks :)
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More |
|
|
|
WisGal35
True Blue Farmgirl
99 Posts
Cathy
Kenosha County
WI
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 08:50:15 AM
|
| Since you've got a year & shipping small numbers is tough on the chicks, maybe start checking local farmers markets, flea markets and feed store bulletin boards for breeders or small farm flock raisers in your area. Good luck! |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 2:20:37 PM
|
My local feed store (IFA..you probably have them up there too) orders them from Murray MacMurray just like I do. They do get to deal with the shipping stress and you can avoid it, but I have really never had any problems with chicks I have ordered. It IS weird the first time you order chicks by mail..but I have been doing it so long now that I am used to it. When you are ready, if you don't mind the trip down to Manti, you can sure order with me. I am ordering some this spring..but will be ordering next spring too, no doubt. I keep bantam layers and they arn't sold sexed so I end up with extra roosters but most breeds..especially big ones I have always ordered sexed...way way way worth it!! I always order at least 25 at a time..and can usually find a few friends to go in with on the order so we all get what we want. SAves on shipping too. Let me know if you ever want to order with us. Katiedid and my sis in law and a friend all went in together last year..it was alot of chicks. This year I am just ordering replacement layers I think. (so far) the kids want ducklings too..so we will see.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
|
|
|
MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 2:33:49 PM
|
Ducklings!!!! how cute :) I am ordering birds for a mix of backyard companions/layers. I am not sure where I'll be next spring, BF is graduating from graduate school in November and he is interviewing in WA, OR, CO, and mayabe Northern AZ. If we are close by, I would love to go in on an order with you. I want 2 Orpington hens and 2 Barred Plymouth Rock hens, and 1 rooster of either type. I think that would be a good starter bunch :)
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More
Farmgirl Sister #154 |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 4:12:47 PM
|
That WOULD be a good start. Are you planning to raise your own chicks? Just wondering since you don't really NEED a rooster otherwise. But...I love having one myself. Mine is a mottled cochin bantam named Richard
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
|
|
|
PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 4:47:36 PM
|
I love cochins. I have a barred cochin rooster who I named Mr. Pants. When they run at you, it looks just like they're wearing pants. :)
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
NancyM
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Nancy
Fall City
WA
113 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 7:32:08 PM
|
We paid $2.99 each for the eleven sexed chicks we have purchased from our local feedstore. We've had good luck as they've all been female-I'm not really wanting a rooster.
Some friends who have ordered from hatcheries tell me they put boy chicks in with the girls to fill it up & keep them warm. This has kept me from ordering from the hatcheries. The last thing I need is a group of roosters running around. Since I'm vegetarian they have a home for life! |
|
|
|
MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 7:45:15 PM
|
Mine have a home for life too, which is why i can't have 25 right away, because in 5 or 8 years, I will still have 25!!
I would like to raise my own chicks, but I wouldn't mind having a rooster so maybe I could let one of the hens raise a baby??? I know they are such good mothers and it would be so neat to watch them grow up with their little family.
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More
Farmgirl Sister #154 |
|
|
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 03:41:43 AM
|
There are breeds that are called sex-link. Pullets are black as chicks, cockrels are buff or a different color. They just hatch this way. Makes it real easy. Thay also come red sex link too.
Someone once told us you can tell the sex of a day old standard chick by looking at the wing. Female wing feathers will alternate short, long. Potential rooster feathers will all be one length.
For ordering from a hatchery, look up all you can online. Some are smaller operations that have been in business for many many years.
Shipping in a small box affords more protection and warmth for the chicks. If you get some from a feed store, unless a local farmer drops them off, they probably come shipped too. It doesn't phase the chicks at all really. And, on a farm, until chicks get their strength, they are crammed under their mother for a few days anyway.
To put it into perspective, the big time farms get their stock shipped every few months or so....and these shipments range in the 10,0000!! no lie!
Only a few hatcheries will ship minimum orders. I have used IDEAL for 4 batches now. I only order 12 to 15 at a time. I pay 7.00 for a smaller amount and 9.00 shipping cost. With this company, you can pick the arrival date you want to suit your schedule. Murray McMurray has a great selection, but their ship dates didn't gell with my schedule.
I would have just gone with the feed store option, but it's hit or miss, and the chicks you get like that are older. chicks you get from hatcheries are day old...as in hatched the day before and shipped.
To ease your mind, a newly hatched chick can survive 3 days w/ out food or water. The yolk is the nutrient source. |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: Chickens 101 |
|
Chickens 101
