Covid-19 causing surge in backyard chicken raising!

[RondZee]

Here is the link to NPR's story:

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/03/8269...interest-in-raising-backyard-chickens-for-egg

 

[sourland]

Just look at the number of new people joining the site on a daily basis. I wonder what will happen to all of these flocks 6 months from now.

 

[RondZee]

Agreed. We'll start seeing them in local ads or Craigslist for sale

 

[Rocky1028]

I've been seeing so many people getting chicks to "keep the kids occupied" or as an Easter present. I just hope they realize the work needed to take care of these birds.

 

[RondZee]

The initial problem will be a lack of knowledge of when Hens start producing, chicks take time and patience to raise for months before laying starts

 

[Rocky1028]

I agree. Just the other day, I had to tell a friend her new chicks would be ready to lay at least 16-18 (more like 20) weeks from now, whereas she thought they would be ready at 1 month.

 

[Folly's place]

I also agree. It's going to be difficult for many of these chicks, and I hope at least most people do right by them. It would be nice if the feed store folks, and the hatcheries, sent home advice, and maybe spent a few minutes talking to their buyers. It is hard when they are busy, but I feel for the chicks!
Mary

 

[RondZee]

Yes indeed. They should look to local hatcheries or farms selling laying hens, but even so they need to understand the egg process. They just don't lay eggs randomly.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I also agree. It's going to be difficult for many of these chicks, and I hope at least most people do right by them. It would be nice if the feed store folks, and the hatcheries, sent home advice, and maybe spent a few minutes talking to their buyers. It is hard when they are busy, but I feel for the chicks!
Mary

Tractor Supply hands out care sheets, so does Rural King.

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

I had noticed that the hatcheries had very little in the way of "last minute bargains" the week of hatching -- I usually go on just to tempt myself, but there is nothing these days!! Just turkeys and some ducks. I also sold 5 roosters in 2 days on CL, for actual money, which has never happened to me before. Usually I can't give them away!! Perhaps I should set some eggs in my incubator. I have really cool breeds...at the moment I am selling every egg I get but I'd make better money selling chicks