When do chickens have chicks and where can i get one in st. louis area

Question

When do chickens have chicks and where can i get one in st. louis area

Answer 1

In natural reproduction,hens lay eggs until their nest is full,then they get "broody". This means they don't want to leave the nest and they will defend it from others. They lose the feathers on the breast and belly,and their body temp. goes up. They brood their eggs for 21 days and then they hatch. Modern hybrids don't get broody. You need old fashion breeds like bantams or game chickens. You can go to about any feed store that sells feed for live stock and buy baby chicks. They are usually for sale in the spring.

Answer 2

Murray McMurray Hatchery has chicks available now and they are located in Webster City, Iowa.  You can check them out at their website of the same name. I have used them a lot and they have a very good reputation.  All of my purchases from them arrived in great health.  The other hatchery I have used is Strombergs.  I would recommend either one of these.  www.murraymcmurray.com  

Answer 3

Chickens can start laying at a few monthes old and lay for years. Some breeds stop laying in the fall/winter. They incubate the eggs for 21 days. You can't have chicks unless you have both a hen and a rooster. It's best to keep a rooster with two or more hens or he will start to pick on them. You can order chicks online, but most hatcheries have stopped selling until spring. I think my pet chicken still has some and they can ship as few as two chicks. Or you can look at your local classifieds. Try www.craigslist.org  and find st. louis.