We found 83 results for category 'Planning for your flock'
Can you ship chicks to my location?
We can ship chicks anywhere within the continental U.S. and Hawaii (but not Alaska). Unfortunately, we cannot ship to Canada, Mexico, or any other... read more
My chicks are all available on different dates. Will they ship at different times, or all at once?
All at once! All your birds must ship together for their safety. Alternatively, you can choose to place two or more separate orders, but each one... read more
When will my chicks be hatched?
Our chicks are hatched in the wee hours on Monday* of each week during the hatching season, and they're sorted, sexed, vaccinated, packaged and... read more
How come you can only ship chicks when they're one day old?
Right before chicks hatch, they have just absorbed the last of the yolk. This sustains them during their journey, for up to three days, so that's why... read more
Can I schedule delivery of my baby chicks on a specific day of the week?
Unfortunately, no! Chick orders are shipped on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the USPS guarantees us they will arrive no later than the end of the day... read more
How come you can't ship just one chick?
Unlike other hatcheries that may add "males for warmth" to fill out a small order, we will never do that because we understand how important it is... read more
Can I mix and match or do I have to buy all the same breed?
There is no minimum number of chicks per breed or size, although your total order must meet the minimum number for your area, so you can mix and... read more
What happens if a bird I purchase from My Pet Chicken is incorrectly sexed?
It's always disappointing when a bird isn't sexed correctly, especially if your "girl" ended up being a "boy" and was the family's favorite chick!... read more
I want to sell the eggs from my chicks as "organic". Are your chicks organic?
"Certified organic" regulations vary from state to state and region to region, and (thus far) do not have to do with the way chicks are hatched.... read more
Why don't you offer a vaccine against Coccidiosis?
Coccidiosos is an infection caused by a protozoan, and it is found in most environments. However, the coccidiosis vaccine administered in the U.S. is... read more
Are your birds "show-quality"?
We are an NPIP hat hatchery and all of our birds are purebred. The exceptions are the Easter Egger, which is by nature a mixed-breed bird, and the... read more
Can hens REALLY crow?
Yes! It's not even that rare, either! In all-female flocks, or flocks in which the ratio of females to males is greater than 10:1, in many cases one... read more
What time of year should I order baby chicks?
You will want to order them as early as possible to reserve the breeds you want on your preferred date. Remember, you can place your reservation very... read more
Is it okay to heat my coop in the winter? I don't want my flock to suffer!
We really don't recommend you heat your coop - seriously! Our feeling is this isn't a good idea. Chickens adapt to the cold weather over time. Their... read more
Do you sell older chickens?
Yes! We usually have two or three batches of juveniles available each year at various times. They do sell out very quickly, so keep your eyes peeled... read more
Should I get my birds vaccinated?
Whether to get vaccinations for your flock or not is a personal choice. In most cases, a vaccination is consistent with organic management practices,... read more
Do I need to give my hens oyster shell or supplemental calcium?
If your hens have a good, "complete" layer feed, they may not ever need read more
Do you have a catalog?
Not yet! The best way to peruse our offerings for right now is to browse the category listings on the left hand side of any page on our website.... read more
At what age do hens start laying eggs?
On average, pullets, or juvenile hens, start laying eggs at about 6 months of age, depending on the breed. Larger, heavier birds like Wyandottes,... read more
Is there any nutritional difference between white, brown, green and blue eggs?
We like them all, Sam-I-Am! No, there is no difference in terms of edibility, health, or nutrition in different-colored egg shells. (See below if you... read more
Are fertilized eggs okay to eat?
Fertilized eggs are fine to eat, in fact some people consider them to be healthier than unfertilized eggs. It is impossible to taste the difference,... read more
Can you tell the sex of chicks when they're still in the egg?
There is no way to tell the difference between an egg that will hatch a female chick and an egg that will hatch a male chick (excluding, perhaps,... read more
It's time to move my 5 week-old chicks to their outdoor coop, but it's cold outside! Will they be okay?
Sudden temperature changes are a real danger to your birds. You will need to make sure their transition outside doesn't shock them. Although chickens... read more
Can I mix different breed of chicken in my flock--will they all get along?
Yes, in most cases you can mix breeds of chicken in your flock. They generally get on very well. You can even include both bantam and large fowl... read more
How much feed should I give my chickens each day?
We recommend feeding "free choice"; that is, letting them eat as much layer feed as they want and leaving their feeder out at all times (although you... read more
I'm trying to figure the expenses of keeping chickens, so can you tell me how much I will spend per month on feed?
A basic estimate is that chickens will eat 1/4 pound per day per chicken. However, that estimate is based on the conditions commercial layers face in... read more
How large should my nest boxes be, and how high should they be off the ground?
Some people put their nests directly on the ground, although this is not ideal since other hens may stick their heads in the nest to see what the... read more
Can I hatch the eggs of my chickens if the rooster and hen are different breeds?
There are no problems associated with hatching mixed breed chickens. If you have a rooster in your flock, he will try to breed ALL your hens,... read more
Can I use chicken manure in my garden?
Chicken manure makes great compost for fertilizing your garden. However, we recommend you compost it first: don't add it directly in quantity.... read more
What type of bedding or litter should I use for my chickens?
Bedding is an important part of keeping your chickens happy and healthy. On the coop floor the bedding will provide a soft surface for your chickens... read more
Do I need to give my shipped chicks vitamins and electrolytes when they arrive?
We don't generally think it is a good idea to offer anything but plain, clean water unless your chicks are exceedingly stressed. When chicks are put... read more
Is there a way to tell if my chicken is happy or sad?
Chickens that are happy will be active and scratching around in the grass, laying in the sun--yes, they do that, too!--or taking a bath in the dirt.... read more
What is medicated feed all about--do I need it?
Medicated feed is formulated for chicks to help them combat coccidiosis, a disease that is found just about everywhere in the environment. Most... read more
Why don't you offer vaccinations for bantams?
The reason we don't offer vaccinations for bantams is that the vaccine is often ineffective for them because the birds are so tiny that it is too... read more
How long do hens lay eggs ?
Chickens usually don't simply "stop" laying eggs when they get to a certain age, but they will lay fewer as they get older. That said, most laying... read more
Should I let my chickens free range? I'm worried about predators.
If you allow your chickens to range freely, you WILL lose some to predators-- make no mistake. It can be devastating, especially to those of us with... read more
How can I help my young children understand the wait to have our baby chicks are delivered?
There are a few things you can do together to help ease the frustration of waiting!
One thing you can do with a child when waiting something... read more
Do chickens have a language?
In many way, they do. Chickens can make a very wide range of sounds, and they communicate amongst each other well.
Roosters can sing loudly... read more
When I buy a hatchery choice assortment, will you be able to tell me which birds I received?
Assortments are often more available than specific breeds are, and sometimes even bargain priced. However, no record is kept of which birds are used... read more
How many roosters do I need in order that my hens will lay eggs?
None. Hens will lay eggs whether there are roosters around or not, just as female humans will ovulate regardless of the sexes of their companions.... read more
How do I get my flock to go into their coop at night so I can shut the door and make sure they're safe?
Once they have imprinted on their coop as "home," they will retire on their own at dusk. (Thus the saying: "Chickens always return home to... read more
How can I incubate eggs that will hatch female chicks only?
A study in Australia (Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 11(4) 664 - 672) has shown that eggs stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (rather than... read more
Do your chicks come "beak trimmed"?
No. Our chicks are not "beak trimmed." We don't even "beak trim" when we sell started pullets like other hatcheries do.
"Beak trimming" is... read more
How will I know which chick is which breed when I receive my baby chicks?
The chicks do not come marked or tagged in any way. However, you can compare your chicks to the photos on our site to try to identify which is which.... read more
How long do chickens live?
Naturally, this will depend on the conditions under which they're kept. Factory farms slaughter their egg layers at one or two years old, because... read more
Do I need to clip my chickens' wings?
Wing clipping--trimming the primary feathers on your chickens' wings--is not necessary unless your flock is flying into places they shouldn't be.... read more
Why do I need to store my eggs large end up?
Storing your eggs large end up will keep them freshest. This is because the air cell in an egg is located at the large end, so less moisture will... read more
How do I cook with bantam eggs?
The eggs of bantam chickens are smaller than the eggs we're used to seeing in the grocery store. Just how small? Of course, it really depends on the... read more
Which bantam breeds should I choose if I want them for eggs?
Bantam eggs in general are quite small by comparison to what you see in the grocery store, but they taste just as good as the eggs of large fowl, and... read more
We have a medium sized yard enclosed by a four foot fence--will my chickens be able to fly over the fence?
Most heavy, docile backyard breeds don't fly very well and aren't particularly inclined to leave a secure, fenced area. Still, if there are large... read more
Why don't you sell chicks year round?
There are a variety of reasons baby chicks aren't available for purchase year-round. Chickens naturally lay fewer eggs in the colder, darker months... read more
What methods of payment do you accept?
We only accept credit card payment at this time. We do not accept checks, cashier's checks, money orders, purchase orders, PayPal, cash or any other... read more
My chicks are arriving in the heat of summer, and my brooder is in a hot room. Can I use a fan to cool the brooder down?
Baby chicks need it very warm to be comfortable--most people would call it hot. For the first week of their lives, they need temperatures of about 95... read more
I want to breed chickens, so can you tell me how to get my rooster interested in mating and how to tell when the hens go into heat?
When a female animal is "in heat," she is ovulating and/or ready to be mated. In some animals mating induces ovulation, but this isn't the case with... read more
Are there any concerns I should have when keeping or caring for chickens while pregnant?
You will want to take the same kinds of precautions you would take with any pets: wash your hands after handling them and so forth. Avian and human... read more
How can I help my chickens stay cool in the summer?
Chickens don't sweat like humans do to cool down. Much like dogs, they pant to help stay cool. When they are very hot, you will also see them holding... read more
How do we make sure that our older laying hens don't eat our younger chickens' starter feed, and vice versa, since the two age groups are meant to have different feeds?
Good question! Typically, you don't want your chicks to eat layer feed since it has too much calcium for them, and you don't want your hens to eat... read more
Some of my chickens will be vaccinated for Marek's Disease, but others are not vaccinated. Can my unvaccinated chickens get Marek's from my chickens who did get vaccinations ?
The Marek's Disease vaccination is attenuated, which means, in most cases, it's not even developed using the Marek's virus. Instead, it's developed... read more
Do I need to be worried about bird flu if I keep chickens?
Probably not, but it's a good idea to be informed about it, anyway, so you can help to explain the issue to less savvy friends.
Bird... read more
What biosecurity should I practice to protect my flock from AI and other illnesses?
Good question! Most illnesses or even infestations (such as mites or worms) are contracted when your birds are exposed to other birds, either... read more
What is the Biosecurity for Birds campaign and how can I find more information about it?
Biosecurity for Birds is a public awareness campaign started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in... read more
Should I be concerned about lead in the environment when I keep chickens?
It's not a common problem, but it is an area of concern. Common sense will tell you not to keep your chickens around peeling or flaking paint, lead... read more
Can I choose what breeds I get when I purchase an assortment?
No, we're sorry. If you want specific breeds, you will need to purchase each breed you want and construct your order that way. The assortments are... read more
How large are chickens?
Chickens can vary in size greatly by breed! Large fowl chickens can range from 4 pounds for small hens to nearly 15 for the largest roosters. Bantams... read more
I got a terrible hatch. Does that mean most of my eggs were infertile?
No, a terrible hatch doesn't mean that most or even any of your eggs were infertile! They may all have been fertile. Remember, just because an egg... read more
I want to order chicks to be delivered to me, but use a broody hen to raise them. Is there anything special I should know, or will the hen take care of everything?
When you are having a broody hen raise new baby chicks that have been shipped to you, first remember that your hen has to be currently broody. If she... read more
The website says the breed I want is available for a date I want, so why isn't that a choice when I'm checking out?
In most cases, that will be because you are ordering more chicks than are available for your preferred date. When you place virtual chicks in your... read more
I want to get a chick for Easter for my son's basket, and then find a farmer to adopt it when it has grown. How do I do that?
No, no, no... you don't want to do that. It's is a bad idea for many reasons. First, one chicken raised alone will often die of loneliness--they are... read more
I keep seeing that coops should be well ventilated but not drafty. What is the difference between ventilation and drafts?
Yes, that can be confusing, can't it? Try thinking of it this way: Generally, you might think of drafts as air that will blow directly onto your... read more
Should I choose "no substitutions" and "no hatch day substitutions" when I place my order for chicks?
Well, the truth is that it simply depends on how you want us to handle any problems with your order. Some customers will wait many months for just... read more
If I want to add light to my chicken coop during the winter, how much do I need to add?
You needn't use a very bright light; studies have shown that laying increases with about as much light as a candle. Even something like a 4 watt... read more
I want to house ducks or turkeys with my chickens--is that possible or wise? What steps should I take?
There are challenges associated with mixing fowl varieties, such as making sure each one eats the right food for their needs. Often different fowl... read more
We have both bantam a large size hens. If we want a rooster, should we get a bantam rooster or a large rooster?
The answer to that question will depend on exactly how large the hens and roosters in question may be as well as what your personal preference is.... read more
Which breed of chicken has the quietest, tamest roosters? I need a friendly rooster that doesn't crow much.
I'm afraid there is no pat answer on this one. Firstly, ALL roosters crow. I happen to love the sound (to me it's far preferable to yapping dogs or... read more
Do you ship eggs or chicks internationally?
No. If you want to purchase live birds or eggs, you will need to find a local supplier to help you; we do not ship internationally. (We don't even... read more
What breed of chicken lays double yolked eggs?
There is no one special breed that lays double yolkers. Occasionally a hen may lay a double yolker when her ovaries release two yolks at once, rather... read more
At what age do baby chicks began to roost?
It really depends on the individual personality of the bird as well as how quickly they develop. Birds that feather out quickly may begin to roost... read more
I'm looking for a breed you don't carry. Can you put me in touch with a breeder in my area?
No, I'm sorry. We're a hatchery, not a breeder registry. We produce our own eggs for hatching, and don't keep lists of independent breeders for any... read more
Will I be notified if my shipment has to be delayed for some reason? I'm asking because I'm going to be taking time off work to look after the chickens at home, so I don't want to ask for the wrong week off!
Well, that's a more complex question than you may think. If there should be a problem on hatch day, of course we will contact you just as soon as we... read more
I'm looking at hatchery choice assortments, and I see some breeds listed as possibilities, but they are sold out (if I wanted to order them individually). Does that mean the sold out breeds aren't a possibility to be included in an assortment anymore, or can I still get those breeds in my assortment?
Breeds that are not available individually may still be used to fulfill assortments, since the assortments consist of breeds that have hatched better... read more
Will the chicks I buy from you be related to each other? I want to breed my rooster with my hens, so I don't want them to be related.
Our breeding flocks are very large. We can't know which chicks hatch from which eggs. Even if we could, we don't keep track of which hen laid which... read more
Last year we had a few ticks on our dogs. Will ticks be a problem with the chickens?
Chickens will eat deer ticks, wood ticks and dog ticks (as well as other types), and these are the most common ticks that bother humans and canines.... read more
I don't know how to order anything online. Can't I just email my order to you?
I'm afraid we can't accept email orders for various reasons, the most important being that email is not a safe way for you to share your payment... read more
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