Where To Get Chickens:
There are lots of places to get chickens, but some are better than others. And a lot of it depends on what you are looking for. If you want a show quality chicken, you should look for a poultry show near you, and check out the for sale area. This is not at all poultry shows, but a lot have them. Make sure to have read up on the APA standards. If you are looking for pullets, check craigslist and the classifieds in your area, or look for local breeders. If you want chicks, the same thing applies. You need to have a brooder ready if you get chicks. You can also buy for The Chick Hatchery in Ohio, and get chicks shipped. (They do not cull male chicks.) Adopting chickens is also a great way to get your chickens, or rescuing from factory farms.
Where To Not Get Chickens:
A lot of people will recommend Murray McMurray hatchery and other hatcheries to you, but they are not a good option. They cull most male chicks, and all the extra chicks they have. It is not an ethical way to do business. The parent stock is also not particularly great.
Questions To Ask:
When you get chickens, you need to ask the person you are getting the chickens from what the chickens have been eating, their age, and you also need to know or any viruses in their flock. It is important to know if they have been vaccinated for coccidia also.
I do not recommend getting chickens from a flock with viruses, as they could be in your chickens, and no one wants sick chickens. (Depending on your practices, that could mean culling them, or lots of vet bills.)
How To Transport Your Chickens:
You can transport your chickens if you are picking them up in your car in a dog crate or in an old guinea pig cage. This should be stable, and not slide around the car. You need to put a towel in it, as they will poop.
When You Arive Home:
You should watch them carefully the first few days as they adjust to the environment. If they are chicks, you need to dip their beaks in water to show them where it is, and make sure they are healthy, eating, and drinking.
Good luck♡
There are lots of places to get chickens, but some are better than others. And a lot of it depends on what you are looking for. If you want a show quality chicken, you should look for a poultry show near you, and check out the for sale area. This is not at all poultry shows, but a lot have them. Make sure to have read up on the APA standards. If you are looking for pullets, check craigslist and the classifieds in your area, or look for local breeders. If you want chicks, the same thing applies. You need to have a brooder ready if you get chicks. You can also buy for The Chick Hatchery in Ohio, and get chicks shipped. (They do not cull male chicks.) Adopting chickens is also a great way to get your chickens, or rescuing from factory farms.
Where To Not Get Chickens:
A lot of people will recommend Murray McMurray hatchery and other hatcheries to you, but they are not a good option. They cull most male chicks, and all the extra chicks they have. It is not an ethical way to do business. The parent stock is also not particularly great.
Questions To Ask:
When you get chickens, you need to ask the person you are getting the chickens from what the chickens have been eating, their age, and you also need to know or any viruses in their flock. It is important to know if they have been vaccinated for coccidia also.
I do not recommend getting chickens from a flock with viruses, as they could be in your chickens, and no one wants sick chickens. (Depending on your practices, that could mean culling them, or lots of vet bills.)
How To Transport Your Chickens:
You can transport your chickens if you are picking them up in your car in a dog crate or in an old guinea pig cage. This should be stable, and not slide around the car. You need to put a towel in it, as they will poop.
When You Arive Home:
You should watch them carefully the first few days as they adjust to the environment. If they are chicks, you need to dip their beaks in water to show them where it is, and make sure they are healthy, eating, and drinking.
Good luck♡
