link to Murray McMurray

[handmade34]

I can't order chicks this year but for those of you that need chicks, this is the place to go!!

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html?aid=ws20120109&linkid=40&utm_source=ws20120109&utm_campaign=ws20120109&utm_medium=email





edit to add link to NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Project events:

https://attra.ncat.org/calendar/

National Center for Appropriate Technology
http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php

[PuraVidaDreamin]

1. Thanks

We are adding to the flock, plus doing turkeys this year. Reading a good book, Farm City.
About a couple who garden squat on the abandoned property next door in the middle of
Hard core Oakland then raise a few birds and animals for meat. Gritty, witty, fun.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Min. order is 25 birds.

We need only 12, sadly.
But, in the past, I have gotten birds from them, all in good condition.

[handmade34]

3. I used to

find someone else to buy the extra poultry I didn't need... I understand how sad it is to only have 12

I used to have 50+/- at times... oh, the fresh eggs!!

[murray hill farm]

10. It is too bad about the 25 order minimum.

I love their catalog and keep it just to look! You can order any number from Ideal Hatchery and I have had really good luck with them too!

[hedgehog]

4. I can add my recommendation - we've ordered birds

numerous times and always had good results!

[i_sometimes]

5. I just picked up ten but locally.

I am surprised that one would have to order chicks from out of state.

[handmade34]

6. I would think that

there are places that one could buy local chicks... but my experience is that anytime I have have checked... the chicks at local feed stores, etc. have been debeaked and are not as healthy as I would like... just my experience

[i_sometimes]

7. Yikes, debeaked?

Wow. Our local Grange has them in about three weeks but they have beaks I am sure. I got mine just three days from a local who hatched them 10 days ago. 4.00 each but I did meet the parents...

These...

http://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/grd/2797374222.html

[handmade34]

9. yes, yikes....

some growers cut the top because it prevents chickens from pecking at each other... nasty process ugh! It is awful and there is no need for it... it is just done so that commercial growers can overcrowd them and practice inhumane animal husbandry

[hedgehog]

8. I think a lot of the breeds the feed stores carry are bred

for super fast growth and early slaughter. Go for the heritage breeds for steady layers.

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. I ordered Buff Orpingtons.

25 straight run, I have someone who will take the extra birds off my hands.
The local feed store carries "commercial" breeds, and I wanted the Buffs this time around.