Why are chicks so expensive this year?

[Deleted]

It is time to replace my flock,  online chicks are anywhere between  $3.50 - $4.00 a hen.  I hope my tractor supply is cheaper.  Any thoughts on why so expensive?   Thanks! 

[Melissa]

I don't know why they are more, but Rural King had them this past week and they were $2.99 each. I order from Meyer Hatchery and if you like their facebook page sometimes they have specials or free shipping. You might see if the hatchery you order from has a page. There might be some special offers.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the advice!

[paquebot]

2015 bird flu is the main reason. Millions of chickens were destroyed. Caused egg prices to first go up when there were no hens to lay them. Replacement hens started laying late last year and stores were almost giving the eggs away. Brood hens also had to be replaced and they come on a little later than laying. Larger size egg preferred so takes longer to replace those.

Martin

[ceresone]

i ordered bantams from mcmurray last week, wont be shipped until june 19--and i paid 4.27 per baby chick--insane, isnt it--but probably my last chicks--and i ordered the breeds i want

[wally]

Wow, I was in our feed store and rir pullets are 379. Cc are 269. They will be having chick days in a couple weeks

[aoconnor]

In our Tractor Supply, they were selling the 2 week old chicks for a dollar each just to get rid of them and make room for the new batch coming in today. Seems no one is ready to be buying their chicks quite yet, or they aren't interested this year. The chicks they had were all pullets...plus one big tub of assorted bantams that weren't selling well either.

[countrymom22]

Yeah, Tractor Supply here has their chicks already, too. When I asked about them a month ago I was told that they wouldn't be in until around Easter. Then when I was in there last weekend, the bins are up and they said they were expecting the first batch on Monday.

I'm not ready yet so I hope they don't stop stocking them until I am. Mine store usually has mostly straight run but I'm hoping to get lucky and find some that are pullets only. We really like our old rooster and don't want to take any chances introducing a young rooster at this point.

I didn't notice what the prices were, but I'll be sure to check when I go in this weekend.