Where to purchase

Posted by Tabitha on December 27, 2010 at 12:23pm

I am looking into placing my order for chicks... and I am debating between the online places. I am likely going to order the 25 and then split them with a friend of see if anyone wants any here... but I was thinking of just going with an assorted lot or layers.

 

Does anyone have a hatchery preference?

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Replies

  • Tabitha January 5, 2011 at 4:14pm
    Thanks for the help... Bethany, it won't let me reply to you!  I'll give that a shot, or maybe pick up a dimmer?
  • Tabitha January 4, 2011 at 9:14am

    I got the surprise pullet mix... so I guess only time will tell! :oP

     

    Just a quick question, the lady at Aden's told me I would be fine with just a regular 100w light bulb for a heat source... is that right? I got a clip on heat shield for it, but I just want to make sure that's enough.

    • Bethany Lobocki > Tabitha January 4, 2011 at 10:04am
      You can use the regular light bulbs.  I prefer to use the red ones.  If you are going to use a regular light bulb, just keep an extra close watch on them to see if anyone's getting picked on.  Also make extra sure that there's plenty of space at the feeders and waterers.  Some say they are more likely to pick at each other with a regular bulb...so, I'd just be extra diligent if I were you about checking on them.
    • Bethany Lobocki > Bethany Lobocki January 5, 2011 at 4:05pm
      Tabitha...if you need to hang the lamp higher, an easy way to do it is to just set up a ladder over the brooder box.  Then you can use rope, chain, etc. to hang the lamp from and you have higher and higher steps to move it to as time goes on.
    • Tabitha > Bethany Lobocki January 5, 2011 at 12:27pm
      Yeah... so I put the lamp on top of the lid (covered in hardware cloth) about 18" from the ground, and it went to over 120 in a matter of minutes... it's just a standard 100w bulb... suggestions?
    • Tabitha > Bethany Lobocki January 4, 2011 at 10:06am
      Good to know! I might swing by to see if I can find a 125w red bulb then... Everywhere I went was sold out this weekend.
  • Tabitha January 4, 2011 at 9:06am
    I ended up ordering 25 from Ideal! They arrive this week.... me=stupid excited! Brooder is built and ready to go... just need some little chickies!
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    • Rachel January 3, 2011 at 9:02pm

      Just out of curiosity why would you slaughter hens right as they are starting to lay? I understand some folks wanting to do heritage breeds vs the cornish cross, but the cost of raising a hen to laying age and then slaughtering her before she even has a chance to give you lots of eggs seems economically odd.

       

      When I buy chicks locally, I buy from the feed barn too. Great service, lots of varieties always willing to help.

    • Bethany Lobocki January 4, 2011 at 10:11am

      They are your birds...so you are well within your right do use them as you see fit.  It does seem to me though that it would make more sense to sell your point-of-lay pullets rather than use them as meat birds at this point.  For starters, they would likely fetch $15/each if not more on CL.  Secondly, you said that you want them to be tender...but you mentioned using them for stock.  You don't need tender, young birds for stock.  In fact, stock is better IMO when made with older birds.  You don't need 5 months to grow meat birds.  Even if you go with Freedom Rangers...you only need 14 weeks or so. 

       

      Edited to add:  It just occurred to me that maybe you don't know what to do with extra eggs.  I make my own egg noodles now...it's super easy, and you can put extras in your freezer.  You can also freeze eggs, by using ice trays.  Just use up the thawed egg ASAP.  That way you won't have to run out to buy a dozen eggs when your birds next molt comes around.  I really feel like the eggs you'd get from these chickens is a more valuable food source then the little bit of meat you'd get off of them.  If they were fat meat birds that didn't lay worth a darn...that'd be one thing.

       

    • Meg Levinson > Bethany Lobocki January 4, 2011 at 1:02pm
      Wish I'd known somebody had point of lay pulletts out there, I'd have jumped all over it.  I can't have chicks and settled for 7 WO's that were pecked.  Felt more like an expensive rescue to me.  I'd advise selling instead of eating.  More food $$$ for you than the cost of a couple dinners and some stock. 
This reply was deleted.