How to Purchase Chicks
When purchasing chicks, decide whether they'll be for meat, eggs, or both. If you're interested in hatching your own, see the related eHow "How to Hatch Chicks."
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Chick Feeders
- Chicken Coops
- Chicken Waterers
- Baby Chick Grit
- Chicken Dusting Powder
- Chicks
Instructions
-
-
1
Buy chicks from a reliable source, such as a commercial hatchery.
-
2
Decide on the breed and sex. Chicks can be purchased as straight-run (meaning both males and females) or sexed, which will be a little more expensive.
-
-
3
Check with the hatchery about vaccinating the chicks for Marek's disease.
-
4
Notify your post office of the shipment of your chicks, and arrange to pick them up upon arrival.
-
5
Prepare an area for the chicks ahead of time.
-
6
Cull any dead or sick chicks immediately, and notify the company for a replacement or refund.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Meat birds are larger and grow fast. Layers are medium-sized birds that you can use for meat, but are best for eggs. Bantams are the small-sized chickens and lay small eggs. They are more of a pet or show animal.
Start with healthy chicks for the best and happiest results of your 4-H project.
More Like This
Comments
-
Nov 22, 2005
When the post office calls you about the chicks arrival make sure to pick them up A.S.A.P even if it is 11:30 at night. The chicks need your attenion and will need every thing you have provided for them, For they have not eaten or drank for there intire trip. The chicks will come in a little box with hay in them. They will be noisy when you pick them up, there will be no sorce of water in the box and will be very crowded. once agian the chicks need your attenion.
