Advice on Buying First Chicks

[MROO]

That’s great advice, mate. I hadn’t considered losing chicks in transit. I appreciate it.

If you plan to order chicks, do it now. Most hatcheries are selling from hatch-dates well into summer and fall, right now. You'll want to get your littles shipped well before the worst of the heat hits. You can also consider combining an order with someone nearby to make a minimum order. Florida has an active State forum here on BYC. Maybe you can find a "Shipping Buddy," or better yet - someone with extra chicks!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/florida-always-sunny-side-up.305793/

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

I am in NE FL and our Tractor Supply has a minimum of 5 chicks. The local feed store (Standard Feed) does not which is where i now get them because they're more knowledgeable, you can choose which ones you want & it's supporting a family versus a corporation. Will say years back when I purchased from Tractor Supply I purchased with another customer & we just split them up in the parking lot,so we each got the number we wanted. Also, there are some farms in North FL that sell direct to individuals. A bit too far from me, but might could be close to you.

 

[Project Blue]

i've bought chicks at feed stores, farms and shipped. One time I got a call at 5 am from the post office saying I got a box of dead chicks. They asked if they should throw them out, which I agreed and went back to sleep. Later I found out you need the label & proof to collect insurance and wound up feeling awful, and out a lot of money. The anticipation, the wait, then the bad news. I'd get feed store chicks. All their chicks are sourced from hatcheries so you are just jumping ahead of the shipping part. At least at the store you can see what you get, and they are either sexed or straight run so you can get all pullets. If you want only three it shouldn't be hard to sell 2 pullets after you get them started good.

 

[North_FL_Coops]

Hello, I too am new to raising chickens s well. I also ordered from a hatchery in OH, Purely Chickens (I think that's the name) and I won't receive mine until August.
I'm in northern Florida as well. There is a post for Floridians on here and maybe you maybe be able to get some chicks locally. Best of luck in your new flock

Thanks! And best of luck to you, as well!