Buying poultry and other livestock can be a hard task, depending on where you live. If you want a comprehensive list of what to look for when buying chickens in the New York area then continue reading down below.
Look For a Good Farm or Hatchery
This tip should be a must. When buying your chickens make sure they came from a clean and trusted source.
- NPIP Certification – National Poultry Improvement Plan or NPIP is a voluntary certification that can be received by testing out your flock for disease and proving that your chickens are devoid of your stated infections and diseases. Since the NPIP Certification is not a legal requirement, not having it doesn’t mean that the store you are buying from is bad or not safe. Although NPIP seal can provide a sense of protection when buying chickens. If the store you are buying from doesn’t have an NPIP certificate, you can ask for vaccines they have given.
- Online Reviews – If you are new to the area, online reviews are mostly your way to go. When looking for a hatchery look for reviews like this. Reading other people’s reviews might help you choose the proper hatchery to buy from.
- Overall Health of the Chickens – The quality of chickens will vary from farm to farm. We advise you to carefully examine the chickens you’ll buy before leaving the store. See if they are clean, well-fed, and vaccinated. You should also look for signs of sickness and see if the flock is healthy.
If you want a more in-depth read about the process of buying chickens, you can click here.
Know What Breed Is Good For You
The key to knowing what chicken is for you is by determining the goal and function of your flock. Are the chickens for eggs, meat, or as pets?
If egg-laying chickens are what you want, the Barred Plymouth Rock or the New Hampshire Red are good candidates while silkies are great as domestic pets as they are very fluffy and adorable as they sport light colors and long fur-like feathers.
Here are some references for you.
- White Egg-Laying Chickens
- Brown Egg-Laying Chickens
- Free-Range Chickens
- Pet ChickensB (Safe for Kids)
Check Out the Local Law
If you are not a registered farm and looking forward to buying your chickens for a backyard coop, you should check out the laws provided by your state.
Raising chickens is legal in New York but there is an exception– roosters. Roosters are illegal to own in residential areas as they cause a wide array of problems due to their aggressive nature. Illegal possession of roosters can cause a fine of $200-$2000, the city officials will also confiscate your fowls.
Hens, on the other hand, is allowed. So, if you want fresh eggs straight from your backyard, you can freely do it.
If you are going to purchase chickens that are below 8 weeks old, the state of New York requires farms and hatcheries to sell a minimum of 6 birds per breed. Keep that in mind if you are planning to start your own little flock.
Ensure Your Place is Good For Chickens
New York City mostly contains small backyards and tall compact apartments. Please keep in mind where you are planning to put your chickens.
Whether you are planning to have them as a pet or run a small commercial business, ensuring your place is a good habitat for these birds should be a priority. Having a good amount of field is the greatest option since chickens love to roam around and forage.
- Neighbors and Complaints – You should also keep your neighbors in mind. Nuisance complaints are very common amongst pets. These complaints can range from noise, foul smell to the destruction of properties. If you are planning to keep and raise chickens, it’s best to let your neighbors know. Fence proofing your backyard is the best way to keep your chickens and avoid complaints from your neighbors.
- Possible Predators – New York is also filled with possible predators that will hunt your flocks such as opossums and raccoons. If you are planning on keeping your chickens outdoors, you can keep them safe in the yard by putting them in cages or having a guard dog present at all times.
Conclusion
We hope this comprehensive list of the 10 best hatcheries in New York helped you find a good store for your poultry needs. May the tips on buying chickens in the New York area enable you to have a new and best flock.
