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We’ve been on a bit of a poultry kick here recently, but once spring gets here you’ll be able to not only be excited about your new fowl, but you’ll literally be able to have them in your backyard! Finally!
Which brings up the question: Where in the world do I find my fluffy, new babies?
It’s simple! You can find them during “chick days” at some of your local farm supply stores, or, you can press a few buttons, order them online, and have them come right to your local post office.
Personally, I don’t think my family ever bought chickens in-person from a store when I was growing up, and neither have I. I’ve only ordered mine online. Contrary to what many might think, when ordering online I got a great deal and they arrived in better shape than I could have asked for! It was cold out, they were tiny little babies, and not only did they arrive in perfect shape but there were even extras. I had ordered 15 and instead we got 17 happy little chirpers.
Another plus to ordering online is that you aren’t limited to the selection of breeds that a store may or may not have. If broilers are all you’re looking for and you aren’t too picky on the breed, the store might have a great special going on. On the other hand, being able to research multiple breeds and then customize your flock just like you want can be a very convenient option!
So, if you’re considering ordering your chicks online, here are some good places to get started looking at! My parents have used Stromberg’s for many years (and been pleased) while I purchased from Cackle Hatchery this last year and had a wonderful experience.
Pay attention to minimum order numbers on each website, as well as the dates that they are effective. There are certain dates when specific breeds are available, so be sure to keep an eye on those too!
Stromberg’s Chicks and Game Birds Unlimited
From bantams and broilers to geese, ducks, turkeys, peafowl, guineas, and game birds… Stromberg’s is located in Pine River, MN and has a very large variety of all kinds of poultry and poultry-related supplies. If you have any interest in starting a small flock for the eggs or just running a few game birds, Stromberg’s would be a great place to start your flock from. For a catalog, find it here.
For over 100 years, Murray McMurray has been a trusted resource providing high-quality poultry and products to the poultry world. Located in Webster City, IA, they have a variety of chicks, waterfowl, turkeys, game birds, and supplies to care not only for your flock but also for any eggs you gather! Pick up a copy of their catalog, here.
Started by Karen Meyer in 1985, Meyer Hatchery is a family-owned business that’s located in Polk, Ohio. They serve customers by having a selection of chickens, waterfowl, turkeys, guineas, peafowl, game birds, meat birds and a variety of supplies to help with the care of your flock. Grab your catalog, here.
This is the hatchery I got my order from last spring and I had excellent luck with them! They’re located in Lebanon, MO, and have a wide variety of poultry including chickens, waterfowl, turkeys, peafowl, guineas, and game birds. For those looking for a small number of chickens, you can get a minimum order of three! To go along with caring for your poultry, they also have a selection of brooder equipment, incubators, waterers, feeders, and more! Get a catalog, here.
Located in Bancroft, Iowa, Welp Hatchery has a variety of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and game birds. For a free color catalog, fill out this form, here.
The Freedom Ranger Hatchery is a family-owned and operated hatchery located in Lancaster County, PA. They have a selection of broilers and egg layers, as well as geese, ducks, and guineas. While they don’t have as many varieties as some hatcheries might, they specialize in high-quality Freedom Ranger chickens that harken back to heritage American and European breeds.
Ideal Poultry Breeding Farms Inc.
Started in 1937, Ideal Poultry is a family-owned and operated business located in Cameron, Texas. From a large variety of chickens including rare white and brown layers and broilers to bantams, turkeys, chukar, pheasants, and ducks, they have a selection for you to browse!
Located in New Holland, PA and employing generations of the Martin family, JM Hatchery offers guinea keets, silkies, and Freedom Rangers, as well as Muscovy, and Kacki Campbell ducklings. For more information about their products, owners, and their faith, check out their About page.
With their minimum order quantity being only three chicks, My Pet Chicken allows for poultry enthusiasts to get a more gentle introduction to caring for them than if they had to order 15 or 25! Bantams, standards, rare or heritage breeds, and so many more varieties can be found here, along with plenty of supplies to help with other aspects of chicken-care.
For the bookworms of the fowl-loving community, check out some of these or find the complete suggested book list here:
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