Tips – What to Look for When Buying Chicks

 

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Tips – What to Look for When Buying Chicks

Buying some baby chicks or even eggs to incubate at home is a fun and exciting experience.

You should always act with your head over your heart though. You’re buying live animals, so you need to be sure you’re dealing with a reputable breeder or hatchery you can trust.

Here are some basic guidelines to help you out:

• Call around a few hatcheries and ask questions. You don’t have to commit to the first place you call.
• Take a good look at their premises and how they treat their other animals to ensure they look professional.
• Take a close look at each chicken you’re buying to ensure they’re in perfect condition.
• Look at their vent, eyes, and nostrils for any signs of dirt or discharge.
• Make sure they are breathing normally and not making any unusual sounds. A chick breathing with their mouth open is a sign something is wrong.
• Ask about vaccinations and the diseases they monitor for in their flocks.
• Check they are NPIP certified.
• Look for reviews online, don’t be alarmed if there aren’t any though, as that’s fairly common.
• Finally, go with your gut. If everything looks and feels right, take the chicks and introduce them to their new home.