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View Full Version : Adventures in Chick hunting


hillbillygal
03-08-2008, 11:28 AM
We finally decided to start a small flock this year. McMurray's won't have any egg layers available until mid-April and we really wanted to have them in March to hopefully have them old enough to lay September. I checked with our local co-op and they said they expected to have some on the 17th but because of rising costs they will be asking $6-$7 a chick. :o That is way more than I'm spending.
So, after mentioning my problems on another forum someone suggested I check with Tractor Supply. I called the two nearest ones and both said they expected to have straight-run Rhode Island Reds for 1.59 a chick next week. :) That's more my price range. I can hopefully get the hens I want and have a few roosters to put in the freezer. I also checked the price of the heat lamps and they are 3 dollars cheaper at TS.

I'm all for supporting my local co-op and I like the ladies there but a $5/chick difference is a bit much. I'll have to travel about 30 miles to get the chicks but I'm still coming out WAYYYYY ahead.

Deberosa
03-08-2008, 11:52 AM
Chicks are already arriving at the local feed store here and disappearing as fast as they come in! We just got home from a new poultry auction they have in the next town every Saturday - they were selling all kinds of birds, chicks, hatching eggs and mixed in some rabbits and sheep and goats - apparently anything that shows up gets sold. They had one really groady one legged rooster there - now why didn't they simply eat him instead of spending gas money to haul him to an auction? Oh well...

hillbillygal
03-08-2008, 12:06 PM
But, did he sell? lol

Deberosa
03-08-2008, 04:35 PM
But, did he sell? *lol


We didn't stick around to find out but that one one ugly bird!

sbemt456
03-10-2008, 06:03 PM
Hillbillie gal you might try Marti Poultry.com, they are based in Missouri and hatch Feb-Sept. That is the one we always order from and with excellent results. They always send a few extra in case there is a loss during shipping. they also have guines, turkeys, pheasant and duck. Good luck. I am sure you would be happy with results from Marti.

sbemt456
03-11-2008, 07:20 PM
In addition to my last post, I in error stated that Marti Poultry had turkey and pheasant but they dont, but they do have cheaper rate than a lot of the other hatcheries I have seen on cornish cross meat birds and lower ship rates. When I ordered my pheasant that I raised I got them from McMurray, sorry I goofed. Just check around for price and ship rate to your particular area.

annabella1
03-17-2008, 08:58 PM
Did you say a one legged rooster? Of course they didn't eat him they already taste tested ;D ;D ;D

Deberosa
03-18-2008, 05:23 AM
Did you say a one legged rooster? Of course they didn't eat him they already taste tested ;D ;D ;D


EWWWWWW! :o :o :o

BrendaSue
03-18-2008, 07:37 AM
I bought some chicks from a local feed store, and every single one was roosters, I went to another feed store and bought some hens...The same feed store I had bought a couple of ducks and a goose, they are also males, was when I first started out with chickens lol or roosters, have learned alot since then.