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Barnyard Buddies:  Shortage of baby chicks  |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 1:59:45 PM
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I just ordered my baby chicks from Murry McMurry. I wanted them delivered the first week in May. I can't get them until June 15. They are over run with orders. He told me that the orders started comming in last fall and I should order no later than Jan 1 for May shipment next year. I'm thinking some of these people that are laid off from their jobs, should go to work for a hatchery. I probably should have ordered more than one male. May have to hatch out my own next year.
I saw that the feed store had some chicks yesterday. I bought mine there last year and was not real pleased with their performance. They are just now starting to lay. I have never had a problem with my Rhode Island Reds laying in the winter with the chicks that I bought from Murry.
Just thought I'd pass that along. Signs of the times are starting to show up. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 2:14:58 PM
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Belle, that's what my feed store guy told me a few weeks ago. There is a shortage of chicks. As soon as they're hatched, they're gone. Mine won't be in til April 24. People who have never had chickens or gardened before are doing it now. This economy is crazy. You should get as many as you can. I'll probably get extra when mine come in.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 2:39:56 PM
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I am getting mine from a local poultry guy. You have to pick them up, he doesn't ship. So, anyone in the NC area, the name of the poultry place is, "Shook Poultry". He didn't mention a shortage. I think it is great that more people are coming around to "OUR" ways!
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 2:43:36 PM
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Check with DeereDawn- she works at a hatchery and should be able to give you the scoop on whats going on, and perhaps might know where you can get some chicks of the breeds you are looking for.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 5:06:43 PM
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I reserve mine from McMurray as early in the year as possible - as soon as the catalog arrives to remind me. I then specify delivery for as soon as its warm enough here to make things easier for the chicks (mid-May). The heritage breeds we favor always sell out early. There is just no way, any year we have ordered, that one could order a month or two in advance and hope to get what they want... unless it's plain, white, meat Leghorns! McMurray has to place their orders in advance to meet demand, and it takes a while. :)
Sometimes you can get what you want *later* in the year - somewhere on their website McMurray has an availability calendar that lists when they expect to have an abundance of specific breeds, or males or females within that breed.
I'm sure the unusual economy, the changing poultry laws for suburban and city dwellers, and the articles that have recently appeared in Country Living and Hobby Farm/Home - not to mention Martha Stewart's mags and shows - have raised awareness about the joys of home grown chickens and eggs!
Here's the link to McMurray for anyone interested:
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/
http://www.TuppinzFarm.com Heritage Sheep ~ Goats ~ Donkeys ~ Poultry
http://YarnAndABarn.blogspot.com Spinning ~ Knitting ~ Weaving ~ Quilting ~ Crocheting |
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StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 9:20:21 PM
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I was just realizing, gang, that you can check at http://www.CraigsList.org for your city's location, in the Farm And Garden section, for people in your area who may breed chickens and who have chicks for sale now, or will have them soon. Ads for chicks and hatching eggs are popping up in my local listings all the time now, and of course there isn't the "minimum 25 order" that you'd have with McMurray.
Go ahead and do a "search" if nothing is showing up in the current day's listings... it will bring up postings from prior weeks.
You can also subscribe to an RSS feed for those listings, and thereby get daily updates on any new ads that are placed!
http://www.TuppinzFarm.com Heritage Sheep ~ Goats ~ Donkeys ~ Poultry
http://YarnAndABarn.blogspot.com Spinning ~ Knitting ~ Weaving ~ Quilting ~ Crocheting |
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idsweetie72
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Sandra
New Meadows
idaho
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 06:51:41 AM
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wow- I was so lucky! I ordered from Murray in Jan- recieved my order in Feb- I'm glad I got in ahead of the rush!
Mazy Day Farm |
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sjs
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Stephanie
Oakland
CA
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 08:43:17 AM
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Stasia, I never thought of that. Thanks!
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Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 4:02:45 PM
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Yea, i almost ordered from Murray, but saw the ship dates abd wanted chicks earlier.
Had great success with Randall Burkey ...excellent customer service.
And was soooo close to getting my beloved blue orpingtons, but alas, the last source was out and won't have any more 'till next year.
Had a neighbor buy 2 dozen fertilized eggs just the other day.
Think I'll hang onto our rooster for awhile so we don't get caught short again too.
And our feed store has their chicks in. Poor pathetic babies....
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 4:09:52 PM
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I ordered my chicks from McMurray last Saturday and they told me it would be June 1st. And they were out of Dominiques for the season. I went ahead and ordered them anyway because that will give us time to get the chicken house built. But I'll know better next year!
http://afarmgirljourney.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
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twzlrwho
True Blue Farmgirl
199 Posts
christina
dewitt
va
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2009 : 07:37:07 AM
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I know of a forum with many reputible breeders. Some ship as well. It also has a list of online hatcheries and just in general great info. I hope this helps!!!
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/index.php
 Christina
Work like you don't have to, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like nobody is watching :) |
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stacyluu
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
stacy
tuttle
oklahoma
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2009 : 7:09:18 PM
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| stasia mentioned looking on craigslist...when i started with chickens i bought several laying hens from a few different people...all of them very helpful to a beginner and i was very pleased with my hens...they also sold chicks, hatching eggs...for a short drive i was able to buy and learn something new.... |
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Barnyard Buddies: Shortage of baby chicks |
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Shortage of baby chicks
