Where Can I Buy A Live Chicken? Your Guide To Purchasing Live Poultry

For many backyard chicken keepers, purchasing baby chicks is the preferred method for starting or expanding a flock. The convenience of buying day-old chicks that can be raised at home is hard to beat. However, sometimes buying started pullets or mature chickens can be the better option. So where can you buy a live chicken if you want to skip the chick stage? Let’s explore the options.

Why Buy Started Chickens?

While adorable fuzzy chicks are fun, there are some advantages to getting older birds

• No special brooder setup needed. Chicks require heat lamps, chick starter feed, and extra attention. Older birds can go straight into the coop.

• Egg laying starts sooner. Pullets start laying eggs weeks or months before chicks mature to lay. Mature hens lay right away.

• Sex is known. No guessing whether chicks are pullets or cockerels. You get only hens.

• Breeding ability, Mature roosters can be immediately used for natural breeding programs,

• Reduced mortality. Older birds are past the most fragile stage when chick losses are most likely.

So, if you’re interested in getting chickens for these reasons, where can you do so?

Local Farm Stores

Many farm supply stores that sell chicks will also offer started pullets seasonally. Brands like Tractor Supply, Rural King, Atwoods, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, and others typically stock a decent selection of common brown egg laying breeds like:

• Rhode Island Reds
• Barred Rocks
• Australorps
• Orpingtons
• Ameraucanas
• Black Sex Links

The birds are usually around 16-20 weeks old and ready to start laying soon. Ask at your local farm stores to see if they can special order other breeds as well. The benefit of buying local is you can inspect the birds in person and avoid shipping stress. Just be aware that supplies and options are limited compared to hatcheries.

Online Hatcheries

Online hatcheries are the best place to buy started pullets and laying hens because they have the most breeds. Major hatcheries like:

• Cackle Hatchery
• Meyer Hatchery
• My Pet Chicken
• Ideal Poultry
• Freedom Ranger Hatchery

Offer a huge range of rare, unique, and specialty breeds that aren’t found in farm stores. Some will even let you create custom orders by selecting the exact number, age, and breeds you want.

Most hatcheries sell birds that are around 16-22 weeks old, but occasionally have limited quantities of mature hens over 1 year old as well. The downside is paying for specialized shipping of live animals, but the convenience of buying online is unbeatable.

Local Feed Stores

Do not forget to check with nearby feed stores and co-ops to see if they sell laying hens. Some of these birds are older and have been used to lay eggs for one to two years. They are now being “retired” from commercial farms. They aren’t as fancy as hatchery stock, but they can be a great way to add some proven layers to your flock. There aren’t many breeds to choose from; most are Leghorns, Reds, or Plymouth Rocks. One good thing is that you can often buy a few specific hens instead of a big order.

Farmer’s Markets and Swaps

Searching for chickens at farmer’s markets, flea markets, auctions, or online swaps like Craigslist is another option. Backyard chicken keepers often sell of flocks when downsizing or upgrading breeds. The choices will be very random based on whatever local people have available. But it allows finding mature hens and roosters of varying ages at usually reasonable costs. Be sure to ask sellers lots of questions and inspect birds closely before purchasing.

Local Classified Ads

Look at the classified ads in your local paper, farm magazines, feed store bulletin boards, and online groups. Small farmers in rural areas sometimes have a few standard or rare breed chickens for sale. To find people who are looking for homes for chickens, Facebook groups for poultry and livestock are especially helpful. This is a hard and patient way to look for birds, but you might find some great ones to add to your flock.

Considerations When Purchasing Started Poultry

Here are some important things to keep in mind when buying started pullets, hens, and roosters:

• Cost: Started birds are more expensive than chicks but save on feed and time. Compare options to find the best value.

• Age: Know exactly how many weeks/months old the birds are. This determines when they will mature for laying or breeding.

• Health: Only purchase active birds with bright eyes and no discharge. Ask about any vaccinations or medications given.

• Shipping: Understand policies for safe transportation of live poultry. Factor costs of shipping into the total price.

• Guarantees: Be clear on any health guarantees or policies in case birds don’t thrive after purchase. Get guarantees in writing.

• Breeding: Ask lots of questions if buying for natural breeding. Know fertility and chick hatching rates for roosters or hens.

• Biosecurity: Consider quarantining new arrivals for 30 days before introducing to an existing flock.

Where to Buy Live Chickens – The Takeaway

Hopefully this overview has provided you with plenty of options to consider when looking for places to purchase started pullets, laying hens, or breeder roosters. With a little planning and research, you should be able to locate just the right live chickens to bring home, whether locally or online. The end result will be skipping the brooding stage and getting eggs or chicks sooner from your new flock additions!