Flock Management - Shortage of Layer Chicks

[rachki]

Curious if anyone is noticing this as well:

I was thinking of ordering an extra 100 layer chicks for March to start laying in Fall. Imagine my surprise when I've checked multiple of our hatchery suppliers that our farm uses and the earliest availability I'm seeing is through Ideal in late July with most hatcheries booked into September or longer.

We placed our annual bird orders in early winter, so we're set for the year fortunately and we're sitting on a total of 200 layers/pullets/baby layer chicks.

I feel like I'm sitting on a gold mine on our farm. First time I've felt that in years.

I've not seen any issues with broiler availability, this shortage must be from new chicken owners grabbing some birds due to egg prices.

 

[Sally PB]

this shortage must be from new chicken owners grabbing some birds due to egg prices.

Yes. People have been reporting that places like TSC and the like are selling out of chicks within a couple of hours of when they arrive.

 

[ChaosMom]

Blame us noobs, I guess, although most all of us were noobs once.

(We’ve been researching and discussing and planning getting chickens for nearly five years, committing to do so last fall, and I’m mildly irritated that everyone and their pet cats have suddenly decided to do the same.)

- I’m pretty sure that the shortage is strongly related to the tragedy of destruction of AI- infected flocks, plus natural disasters like Helene in my area.

 

[Lil Country]

My local farm store sold out within minutes, they only ordered 60 chicks. Went to IFA 2x with no luck! Finally today got my hands on a few.