Best starter chickens (4) available in Fort Worth

[knightprice]

I am a newbie... we are about to complete our first coop. We would like to have chickens in it by next weekend. What are the best egg layers to start out with? Where do I get them in Fort Worth, Texas? Someone please take me under your chicken wing!!!

 

[HEChicken]

I would start by looking on Craigslist. You can quite often find chicks and/or laying hens available from local chicken raisers. Everyone you ask will give you a different opinion on what is the best breed to get so I'd suggest you look at the breeds database (link at top of page). You can sort by any of the categories and then look at their other characteristics. You can also check your local feed stores for chicks available for sale. Many hatcheries will also ship chicks but you will pay for shipping doing it that way.

 

[banks]

I have always gotten my chicks from Marshall Grain on E Lancaster.
They are very helpful. They should have some BR and RIR. I was having a weak moment last week and called them. They got a shipment in last Friday. Their phone # is 817-536-5636.

 

[elmo]

Two places to try:

http://polishfarm.com/home

Dan sells pullets too, so if you want to buy hens that are almost ready to lay, Dan can help you out.

Are you a member of the DFW Poultry yahoo group? If not, join up and post a message there describing what you're looking for.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/DFWPoultry/


I'm in Dallas, and I got my chicks last year from a local breeder, practically a neighbor, actually. I'm very happy I went this route rather than ordering hatchery chicks through the mail, or picking up hatchery chicks from a feed store.

p.s. Welcome to the wonderful world of chicken keeping!

 

[ecorso]

You did not say whether you wanted to start chicks or are looking for hens laying or ready to lay. You also didn't say whether you wanted breed them, have laying hens for your own use, or are hoping to sell eggs or hatching eggs.

I started with chicks from several places, all labeled as pullets and got 99% roosters. I got some from local sellers on Craig's List. Two of the chicks I got from one place ended up being from hatching eggs from another Craig's List seller that I got some chicks from, so they ended up being related, which defeated the purpose of buying them different places. Also, the local feed stores get their chicks usually shipped as day old chicks from regional breeders. It is very difficult to find pure breed chicks, although many are labeled as such. Most of the ones I bought did not end up being the breeds they were said to be either. I was hoping to get heritage breeds and ended up with something else altogether. The only way to be sure you get females is to wait until they are old enough to be nearly ready to lay. I have found that most places charge extra for pullets, but they aren't all pullets. If getting some roosters isn't a problem for you then you will probably want to start chicks and have them friendly with you. Also, if you do plan on having some roosters, you will want them to grow up together so they get along.

Also, many places advertising on Craigs List and those sold at the feed stores don't give you the required paperwork showing they've had an inspector come out and check for certain diseases. It is also wise to do as you are doing and to get into the local forums. There you will hear of which backyard breeders had sold chicks with beak problems, spraddle leg and low survival rates. You don't want to invest time and resources and support breeders which are not properly caring for their birds.

The stock show is on this weekend and it's a good opportunity to see several breeds of well groomed birds up close and see which ones turn you on. Different breeds appeal to each of us and you will want ones you can warm up too, (unless you are planning on raising meat birds).

Then again, if you've got your coop ready, your heat lamp, bedding, drinker, feeder, and extra time, you'll probably want to rush down to Tractor Supply or Russell Feed, or Mastermade feed in Grapevine, or up to Denton,.. and pick out some cute chicks and marvel at how they change every day and discover what they are as they grow and look forward to eggs in about 6 months!

 

[lisaparismc]

I bought some Friday at Marshall Grain. They look good and growing fast

 

[kattie]

for free 4 hens 1 rooster coop with laying boxes call 6822250935 or come to 909 crystal lane Crowley Texas 76036 to pick up