Why we like them:
Chicks are from our program to allow schools to hatch our eggs and return the chicks once done. By adpoting chicks hatched by kids, you are getting chicks that are often handled frequently and often end up being very friendly. This is the most economical way to obtain an amazing variety of the breeds we raise. This is the best deal if you are in search of a unique looking chicken with a surprise egg color at a very economical price.
You will recieve (1) chick per quantity ordered. The more you order the more fun and breed variety will join your flock. By placing an order, you open the door to endless possiblities of breeds. Your order will be fullfilled with a random assortment of any of the breeds we raise including our unique Serenity girls. It is possible to have a 1st generation mixed bird. When not breeding a specific breed for purity, that flock gets to roam free with all our other heritage breeds. They enjoy the life of being a chicken having fun in acres of pasture and consuming organic fresh sprouts. It is such a divine pleasure to watch them forage and interact with each other on such a beautiful habitation. With all our show quality heritage breeds out on the pasture at the same time, we are blessed with amazing, unique, breed combinations. Allowing nature to decide which rooster mates with which hen, the results are heaven sent. It is breathtaking to watch these lil chicks grow up.
Chicks hatched by schools are not vaccinated. If you are looking for chicks not vaccine dependent this is a great group of a random varitey of chicks. If you desire vaccinated chicks, purchase our other chicks or self vaccinate prior to exposure.
Feather Colors:
They offer the most spectacular variation of feather color and special features. This includes clean legged, feathered legged, crested, non-crested, tufts, non-tufts and bearded and non-bearded.
Egg Color/ Frequency:
Gifts 3-5 surprised colored eggs a week. The full rainbow spectrum is possible: yellow, dark chocolate, olive green, mint green, moss green, green speckled, blue, sky blue, aqua blue, pink, purple, brown, and white.
Personality:
Diverse personalities will be enjoyed. Have fun admiring from a distance looking out at your backyard, or teach them to trust you with your generosity of treats.
Sexing Method: Since hatched on-site at schools the birds are unable to be vent sexed as day olds. We use traditional sexing methods based on breed characteristics. Average accuracy is 80% until 6+ weeks of age. Read more about our female coverage in our sexing selection section.
Chick: Hatched by Local Schools
Most families are attracted to obtaining their chickens from us because we are proud to be completely different than typical feed store/ hatchery industry standards. Industry standard is to sex as accurately as possible and sell as pullets (female chicks) and force customers to accept a >10% chance of an accidental rooster without the ability to accept returns nor refunds. In addition, industry standard is to sell bantams (such as silkies) as straight runs since they are too small for safe vent sexing. We offer multiple sexing options.
Male
If you are lucky enough to have a rooster, our male sexing option is a great way to save money on a wonderful breed.
Unsexed
This option means that the chicks have not yet been sexed and are sold as a straight run. While nature usually averages half girls and half boys in high volumes, families should only order if prepared for >50% possible roosters.
Female Coverage
This is our most economical choice for families seeking a female. We kept city ordinances that restrict rooster ownership in mind. This option is great for families that want to enjoy a backyard flock of ladies. We use traditional sexing methods on the breeds that capable of being vent sexed, home accidental roosters, and issue store credit of original purchased price. To learn more about how we sex baby chicks based on their breed view: How to Sex Chickens.
Depending on the breed, sexing accuracy can range as low as 50% for bantam breeds, 90% for standard breeds, and as high as 95% for auto sexing breeds. Our female coverage option is not a service fee for sexing the chick, it is the cost difference between purchasing a male or a female chicken. We do not believe in grinding males alive nor suffocating them as day olds to enable a profit when selling a stated female chick at ridiculously low prices. Thus, our female pricing takes into consideration the male left behind with each female purchased. Male chicks are typically half the price of a female.
To qualify for rehoming, the rooster must remain in perfect health. If the family decides to return the rooster, a store credit in the amount of original purchase price is provided. As a family, you are welcome to decide to keep any accidental rooster and forfeit the credit.
DNA Sexed Female Chicks
For families that get emotionally bonded quickly and do not want to risk a future discovery of a rooster, we offer DNA sexing. DNA sexing is the only true accurate method of sexing baby chicks. DNA testing is a significantly higher financial investment. In most cases, it is 3x the cost as (1) female sex covered chick.
Balance accuracy with financial investment
The sexing decision is one that needs to be made at time of purchased and the original order cannot be altered once the order is fulfilled. It is important as a family to determine the right balance between sexing accuracy and financial investment for your family’s situation.
We provide as much information on our website as possible to ensure families make an informed decision based on their situation and lifestyle. Some breeds are more accurate in sexing and most families find our female coverage adequate in providing a free home for their accidental rooster (up to $100 savings) and use the store credit towards a replacement or our organic feed. While harder to sex bantam breeds, or families that know they will develop a with strong emotional attachment prefer to invest in DNA sexing.