the price of chicks?

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WiseBird
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the price of chicks?

Post: # 83121Post WiseBird »

when I was at the market yesterday buying our free range eggs, I noticed that there was a sign offering chicks for sale.

Now, I do not have anywhere suitable at the moment to keep chickens, although I hope to be able to when we eventually move, but out of curiosity my husband asked how much the day old chicks were...and was quite suprised to hear that they are £4 each :shock:

Is this a reasonable price?

I don't know what I expected him to say to be honest, but his eggs are certainly a reasonable price at £3.50 for a tray of 2.5 dozen
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maggienetball
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Post: # 83128Post maggienetball »

Depends on the breed but generally speaking they seem pretty expensive to me. Especially if they aren't sexed. You could end up with 6 cockerels.

If you just want layers, you could pick up some lovely ex batts for a small donation.

And I usually can get POL sussex or similar for £5.

I know you can buy eggs for hatching in the post for £1 each or less, for "pedigrees".

Still seems a lot to me though cos you could end up with infertile eggs or males, which is fine if you want to eat them but not if you want to raise some layers.

Don't know what others think?
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godfreyrob
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Post: # 83158Post godfreyrob »

Unless they were some unusual/rare breed they sound expensive to me too.
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npsmama
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Post: # 83211Post npsmama »

£4 for a chick is a lot of money...
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Mark B
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Post: # 96104Post Mark B »

As maggienetball says make sure they are not cock chicks. I've been looking into buying a few layers and am told its best to buy adult hens maybe even rescue a couple of battery hens :cooldude:

Chicks are said to be difficult for newbies such as myself?


Thanks Mark
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ina
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Post: # 96174Post ina »

npsmama wrote:£4 for a chick is a lot of money...
Certainly cheaper to buy them dead and ready plucked - 2 for £5 at Somerfields at the moment... :roll:
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Annpan
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Post: # 96268Post Annpan »

ina wrote:
npsmama wrote:£4 for a chick is a lot of money...
Certainly cheaper to buy them dead and ready plucked - 2 for £5 at Somerfields at the moment... :roll:
They don't lay many eggs that way though....


disturbing isn't it :roll:
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Bluemoon
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Post: # 96500Post Bluemoon »

Our local poultryman sells point of lay hens (Warren type hybrids) for £4.50, and he's considered expensive, so I'd think that £4 for an unsexed chick would be a little extreme, unless it was of a rare breed or something.
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