It is that time of year again in the US when farm stores start selling baby chicks. In this post I will talk about where to buy chicks, types of chicks, and sex. In later post I will talk about feeding, housing and caring for your chicks/chickens. These post will be more for the new hobby chicken farmers looking to start a small flock.
Where to Buy Your Chicks
There are two main ways to get your chicks. First, by going into a farm store (Tractor Supply) or a farm coop where they have live chicks right in the store. At these stores it is ease to just pick out a chick and take them home. The only down side to this is you are limited to the breeds they have there and many times the chicks are not sexed. The second way, is some of the same stores will allow you to order chicks. By ordering chick you are able to get a wider rage of breeds and the gender can be ordered. It also gives you time to prepare for the chicks.
There are other ways to get chicks. Like from a neighbor, breeder, or some kind of farm auction. These ways may not be the easiest for all people. It works best if you already know the farmer or breeder. And if you have a little knowledge on what you want.
Some place will sex the chicks for you but that is not a guarantee. Chicks can be very difficult to sex and even professionals can not be 100% sure. Professionals use cloacal sexing and are only around 92% accurate. I'm able to sex this way but only at about 75% accuracy. I do not recommend this because you can hurt the chicks. Many store will sell straight runs which are chicks that are not sexed. The only way to get 100% accuracy to wait till the chicks are chickens.
There are other ways to get chicks. Like from a neighbor, breeder, or some kind of farm auction. These ways may not be the easiest for all people. It works best if you already know the farmer or breeder. And if you have a little knowledge on what you want.
Some place will sex the chicks for you but that is not a guarantee. Chicks can be very difficult to sex and even professionals can not be 100% sure. Professionals use cloacal sexing and are only around 92% accurate. I'm able to sex this way but only at about 75% accuracy. I do not recommend this because you can hurt the chicks. Many store will sell straight runs which are chicks that are not sexed. The only way to get 100% accuracy to wait till the chicks are chickens.
Types of Chicks
First off you need to decide what you want to do with the chicks. Do you want eggs, meat, or both? Then you need to decide what breed you want. Also, most of the breeds used in conventional farming are also used in organic. The difference is the feed the chicks or chickens are fed. It is best to do a little research on the breed you want before going to store. Then at the store someone should be able to help you narrow it down. Most of the breeds sold in the stores will be layers or dual purpose bird. Breeds that work well for hobby chicken farmers. Remember you can buy more then on breed.
Layers (Eggs)
Layers main purpose is egg production. They can be used for meat but will not have as much as a broiler. One of the main breeds of layers is the ISA Brown which lay brown eggs. If you want a certain color of egg then you need to look up the breed before you buy. Leghorn are another popular breed of layers with white eggs. Interesting fact: the egg color is determined by the color of the chickens ear. These eggs can be brown, white, blue, or green. When buying layers you will want mostly hens. But I believe it is best to have one rooster for small flocks. And for larger flocks a rooster of every 10 to 20 hens would be good.
Broilers (Meat)
Broilers can be harder to get and many times need to be ordered. The chicks will not be sexed when they come. They will be both males and females probable 50-50. This is because you would butcher them at a young age before egg production begins. Most of the breeds are Cornish crosses. These types of chickens will grow very fast and ready to butcher in 6 to 9 weeks.
Broilers can be harder to get and many times need to be ordered. The chicks will not be sexed when they come. They will be both males and females probable 50-50. This is because you would butcher them at a young age before egg production begins. Most of the breeds are Cornish crosses. These types of chickens will grow very fast and ready to butcher in 6 to 9 weeks.
Dual Purpose (Eggs/Meat)
Dual purpose chickens are a chicken that is relatively good for both eggs and meat. They tend to give less eggs then layer and less meat then broilers. Also, they will grow slower then a broiler breeds. Dual purpose chickens will be raised the same as layers for the most part. Again many of your chicks should be hens with just a few roosters. Most of these breeds tend to be old breeds or heritage breeds. Some common breeds are New Hampshire, Rhode Island Red, and Araucana. I have raised Rhode Island Reds in the US before. And I found them to be a great dual purpose breed for hobby chicken farmer.
My favorite kind of chickens are Bantams which is not a breed. They are miniature versions of other standard chicken breeds. They are small but make up for it many times in attitude. The down side though is there eggs can be much smaller. Below is a picture of one of my Bantams from the US.
Dual purpose chickens are a chicken that is relatively good for both eggs and meat. They tend to give less eggs then layer and less meat then broilers. Also, they will grow slower then a broiler breeds. Dual purpose chickens will be raised the same as layers for the most part. Again many of your chicks should be hens with just a few roosters. Most of these breeds tend to be old breeds or heritage breeds. Some common breeds are New Hampshire, Rhode Island Red, and Araucana. I have raised Rhode Island Reds in the US before. And I found them to be a great dual purpose breed for hobby chicken farmer.
My favorite kind of chickens are Bantams which is not a breed. They are miniature versions of other standard chicken breeds. They are small but make up for it many times in attitude. The down side though is there eggs can be much smaller. Below is a picture of one of my Bantams from the US.
Important
Chickens can be a great resource whether you live in a suburb or the countryside. But remember chicks may look cute in the stores and you will want to buy a whole flock. But they are not toys, much time and care must be spent to raise them from chicks to chickens. These chickens are farm animals and will defecate (shit) everywhere making a mess. So you must be prepared.
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