I got my chicks from Murray McMurray Hatchery in Ohio. I ordered the ornamental layer collection and still remember placing my order. I sat at my computer wondering if this was really something I wanted to do since there’s no free return shipping. I mean lives were at stake here–this was not like buying online groceries.
So, I clicked submit and a few weeks later the Post Office called me at 4:30 AM to come pick up my “live” package. I had ordered a pack of 50 (sounds like office supplies, doesn’t it?), and all those chicks kept each other warm while they were on their way. Right away I put them in their new pen, a U-Haul cardboard box, with a heat lamp. I also let them dip their beaks in some water. Then, they all grew up into beautiful hens, and I’ve had wonderful organic eggs ever since which I’ve sold for a tremendous profit, and now my garden is actually making money. Yeah, right!
There’ve been bloodthirsty roosters, scraggly coyotes, voracious raccoons and nights that I slept with a gun under my pillow–that’s another story though. I’m at the feed store buying chicken food every week, and I’ve never made a dime selling eggs because I don’t run a licensed chicken ranch (if you’re from TX you’ll get the joke). On the plus side, they have been great pets with a lot of personality while also keeping the bugs out of my garden, and my son did get to take a chicken to show and tell at school.
Oh, and I also want to tell you about the “Chick Sexer”:
On a single day, the Murray McMurray Hatchery might have 80,000 chicks born, and most people are ordering layers, or females, not roosters. Chick sexers examine each and every baby chick to determine if they’re male or female. It’s a job, and it’s a dirty job.
Want to know more? Check out the Discovery Channel video on chick sexers from the 2005 season of the series Dirty Jobs.
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You should sell your organic eggs at the office!
I Want To Be A Baby Chick Because They Are Cute And Would Be Super~Cute If They Had A Brother Or A Sister, I Would Want To Be Called Hardie And Have A Brother Called Softie
Was fooled at the first part of this blog. Wow, what a dream come true! Not! People need to realize that with any animal(s) you raise, there are going to be unexpected occurences and obstacles. I have ordered chickens from McMurray as well and have dealt with the “non-perfect” flock myself – extra roosters, and feather picking Easter Egg Chickens (which they INCORRECTLY label as Araucana/Ameracauna). My flock is doing well today and I still love the hobby.
I Give Myself The Cutie Chills. Me And My Mate, When We Were Kids, Used To Play Softie And Hardie All The Timd, Hewo Evwywom !!!