anyone raise chickens?

[Freebeemom]

Just wondering where you buy them and if you do, what catalogue do you purchase them from? ANyone purchase any individually? I am looking for one or two chickens...but can only buy them by the dozen or more.

Thanks!

[buttrfli]

You can buy chickens out of a catalog????

I'm TERRIFIED of chickens :eek: LOL!!!

Do you have a feed store near you? We buy all of our plants from one here and they always have them cute lil baby chicks.... that grow up into big ole scary chickens!

[Freebeemom]

That is So funny....sorry..I don't mean to make light of your phobia. This gave me a good Scary Chuckle!

[ahippiechic]

My ex MIL raised chickens and she ordered hers from a catolog also. I'll ask her where she gets them from.

[ahippiechic]

She gets hers from here...
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/
She said she didn't know if they sold single ones.

She also said that if you call the U.S. Department of Agriculture in your state, they will send you a list of hatcheries that might sell them individually. HTH!

[netsis61]

It made me smile too but I don't mean to make fun of the phobia either- I have run across a few bad tempered chickens myself. But remember, a bad temper makes a particularly good flavor in the stewpot. :D
I've found that most Banties, Rhode Island Red roosters and Any broody hen in deep cover are very aggressive in my experience.

Yes, you can order chickens from a catalog. I can't remember the name of the catalog, I want to say Gurney's but I don't think that's right as it's been a long time ago. Anyway I remember looking foward to that catalog coming every year when I was a kid. Page after page of all the different breeds in color. It was really facinating. You can get all the supplies from them too-incubators,feeders,etc..
Freebiemom, are you looking for the chicken for dinner or as a pet? If for a pet, I recommend you get 2 or 3 because they are a flock animal and do better with their companions. Actually a small flock of six or eight are the best for enjoying watching/studing. They have their own "pecking order" and group hierachy along with their individual little personalities.
If you have the space, I've found that they do better if you free-range them. It really brings out their natural habits, dust bathing, roosting, foraging,etc..
They will always stay close to home as long as you feed them every day. There is something surprising relaxing and peaceful about stepping outside in the morning and tossing grain for the chickens. No matter where they are, they pick up their skirts and come running, each one trying to be first to the grain.
If you do free-range though, don't clip ther wings though- they need them to roost and get up out of harms way as everything from cats to 'coons to passing tramps love a free chicken dinner.
If you call your local feed store or county extention office , you can get the name of that catalog. It's been around selling chickens since my mom was a kid.

[buttrfli]

I am actually afraid of all birds... but chickens are the worst LOL

You can laugh.. I do :D

[Freebeemom]

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1125/8/33/52/39/40/0/40395233806_0_ALB.jpg Thanks for all your advice. We have one chicken, as a pet, at the moment. It happened by mistake. My DD and hubby were in the pet store (we have like 32 reptiles...don't ask). Anyhow, dd is only 6. The pet store got a shipment of chicks in. My dd asked "Why do you have these cute little chicks?" The shop owner said "Well, to feed the big snakes". She lost it! Cried, threw a fit, etc. This is how we ended up with a chicken. It is laying an egg every day!
We ended up with 2 ducks from a similar adventure. The ducks have since been let free. This chicken is like my youngest dd's best friend! So, needless to say, we are looking for another one. The pet store hasn't had any in stock.
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1125/8/33/52/39/40/0/40395233806_0_ALB.jpg

[/IMG]Chicken

[Willow]

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/catalogrequest.html

You can request a free catalog here if you want to.

[Willow]

You can buy chickens out of a catalog????

I'm TERRIFIED of chickens :eek: LOL!!!

Do you have a feed store near you? We buy all of our plants from one here and they always have them cute lil baby chicks.... that grow up into big ole scary chickens!



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/ultraviolet68/chicken_squacking.gif

[buttrfli]

LMAO!!!!!

Oh girl you wait... yours is comin!!!! ;) :p

[renagade]

My FIL had chickens when my daughter was around 5. They were the kind that had feathers growing on their legs. They were so cute. My daughter had one that attached itself to her and followed her everywhere she went in the yard. She would sit down and it would climb on her lap just like a kitten. It amazed me how she could pet it and it just sat there. I didn't know they could be that tame.

[Willow]

LMAO!!!!!

Oh girl you wait... yours is comin!!!! ;) :p


Sorry, I couldn't resist. :D

[june72]

my fil LOVES chickens. He raises his himself or buys them from neighbors...of course we are in the country and can do that. his chickens all run free until garden time, then they go up till gardening is over.....then free again! :D

[ang in NC]

I use to have some. Best eggs are from free roaming chickens. I would let them out late in the afternoon. I had no ticks and no snakes! The only bad chickens are the roosters.

[Freebeemom]

WOw! see, I knew you all would have some great info!

[Nanc952]

In the spring you can get them at Orschelns but not this time of year.

For ordering from catalog you cannot order less than 25 as the post office will not allow less to be shipped because they will chill.
It is best to order from a hatchery in your state as the postage and air rates will send you into shock.

Check local swap meets or some farmer's markets.

Also local farmers that have fowls (we do sell the excess from the farm)
A chicken can be made into a very good pet.
If you have any questions about chickens pm me and will be glad to help you with any information I have.