Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
1:51 pm
March 2, 2010
Offline
We finally finished building the much anticipated chicken house and after checking a few sites for ordering chickens and I am finding that I may have to wait until spring to order chickens? NOOO! I was so excited. Does anybody know where pullets can be purchased in December? I don't want to get chicks for the obvious reasons of it being cold now and the hardship of rearing them during wintertime. I live in WV. Please help me chicken people!
2:38 pm
February 10, 2009
Offline
Nooooop! Unless you find someone local who wants to get rid of a few… even if you found a hatchery that sold pullets, the shipping cost of pullets is outrageous!!!! Honestly, though I'd get the order in for the chicks you want NOW (Meyers is taking early orders and others probably are too) so you get the breeds you really want as early as possible in the spring. Look at some sites and they may have some really early dates they'll ship now that they have figured out that packing a heat pack helps them.
The popular breeds get picked over really fast, and some of the rare breeds have limits on how many you can order, so decide now.
I got the Meyer's catalog in the mail the other day and I was just drooling, even though I really don't need to order more! It sure is tempting… there are some real fancies in there!
Also, if you're up for a drive, call Meyers and see if you can pick some up at the hatchery. It's not TOO far a drive for you. Not close, but not terrible. Also, Mt Healthy is a good hatchery too, (near Cincinnati OH) and they may be closer for you, so a call to find out if they allow pick ups at the hatchery. Either place MAY have pullets… not sure!
3:00 pm
February 10, 2009
Offline
Oh, and chicks in the winter are totally doable. Even outside, which if you have an empty coop, that's absolutely what I'd recommend! Chicks in the basement or back room are a huge mess! Until you find that out for yourself, it's hard to describe what a mess they are.
First, make some sort of temporary box out there, scrap plywood would be fine, (no bottom needed if it's in their coop anyway), with a heat lamp to hang so it stays warm in there. (fastened very well of course to prevent any accidents)
Often, nothing more than a 100 watt bulb is needed, depending on how draft free your coop is. For now you want it pretty warm, but once they get feathered out, cool is fine!
(…by the way, too 'tight' a coop is not good either! Chickens after they're grown, do fine with cold, not enough ventilation and the humidity created by the birds themselves can actually cause condensation inside to the point it seems like it's actually raining in there.)
I'll stop now because I can go on forever!!!! I'm a chicken nut can you tell?!?!>
3:19 pm
February 10, 2009
Offline
I thought there were started pullets at Mt Healthy, and Meyers, I was wrong though, both say 'not available'. Here's the links to both places though so you can look things over yourself. Both have some chicks available…
http://www.meyerhatchery.com/index.a5w
3:39 pm
March 2, 2010
Offline
BuckeyeGirl – Thank you so much for your web links to both hatchery sites! I've been salivating over them already. I did see the 'Not Available' listing too. The empty 10 x 12 chicken house without a doubt could probably be used for chick raising like you described. We worked so hard on the chicken housing to get it ready in between ongoing house remodeling and gardening this year that I hate to let it set another minute empty. Since I was not wanting to wait until next summer to get started I guess I should be brave and jump right in with both feet and get that order in. You make it sound easy. Stay close, I may need to holler at you from time to time! lol Thanks!
4:19 pm
February 10, 2009
Offline
Yep, oh, and if you decide on a road trip to Meyers, you can stop at Lehmans on the way there!
If you get some chicks now, keep in mind that some are less hardy than others. While starting chicks now would mean earlier eggs, trying to start any of the delicate breeds might be a problem… or not! Chickens are funny!
Most Users Ever Online: 120
Currently Online: Ruthmarie
29 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Leahld22: 2676
Ross: 1950
MaryB: 1777
JeannieB: 1477
Shells: 1184
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 13
Members: 5888
Moderators: 3
Admins: 4
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 14
Topics: 2994
Posts: 57780
Newest Members: christiewahlert, basketsldj, joycelorelle, Leah Beth, bwshook, Amy
Moderators: Pete (7965), wvhomecanner (3063), Flatlander (1555)
Administrators: Suzanne McMinn (7255), emiline220 (15), CindyP (7770), BuckeyeGirl (4363)
Sections
Latest Posts on the Farmhouse Blog:
- May 24, 2012 - Bread 911!
- May 23, 2012 - Get This Print!
- May 22, 2012 - Second Place Ribbon
Sign up for the Chickens in the Road Newsletter, too!
