Mail Order Chicks
pros and cons
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Are Purchasing Mail Order Chicks a Good Idea?
The most common ways to get your hands on some chicks are to (1) hatch them, (2) purchase them at a local feed store or breeder, (3) or have then shipped from a hatchery. This article will explain the ins and outs of mail-order chicks.
Getting chicks from a hatchery is a great way to add variety to your flock with rare breeds or increase your flock’s genetic diversity (see: Find the Right Breed of Chicken). Most hatcheries allow you to select the breed and sex of your chicks. You can also check if they vaccinate for common diseases like Marek’s. Hatcheries are able to ship one-day-old chicks because newly hatched chicks can live solely off the nutrients of their egg for up to three days.
Benefits of Purchasing Mail Order Chicks
- Cost: Chicks are often cheaper when purchased online directly from hatcheries or farms, as you can avoid retail markups.
- Seasonal Availability: Many hatcheries ship chicks during the spring, summer, and fall months.
- Sexing Options: Some hatcheries offer the option to buy sexed or unsexed chicks.
- Planning Time: Ordering chicks early can give you time to plan for your new flock, such as setting up a brooder and preparing a coop.
- Safety: Hatcheries take special care to keep chicks safe during shipping. Most chicks arrive safely after 1–2 days, and are delivered to your local post office.
Cons of Buying Mail Order Chicks
- Shipping: Shipping can be challenging for chicks, and you may experience casualties from rough handling or stress.
- Weather Delays: Hatcheries may also vary shipping times by location, and some may not ship during extreme weather.
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Quality Control: When ordering online, you may not be able to see the parent birds or pick out your own chicks, which can be a concern if you’re looking for quality chickens or a specific breed.
What to Expect
Hatcheries will have a minimum order requirement—usually around 15 to 25 chicks—so that their body heat will keep the chicks warm during shipping. The chicks are shipped and should arrive at your local post office in 24 hours. Time is of the essence, so make sure you are available to receive your feathery friends the day they arrive.
Once your birds are in hand, take them home and get them settled in their brooder. If they look like they had a rough trip, add table sugar to their water at 3 tablespoons sugar to 1 quart water for a day or two, to help perk them up a bit. Electrolytes can also be added to their water source. After that it’s eat, drink, play, sleep, repeat!