It’s one of my favorite times of year! I love when the days get longer, the air smells like spring, and the sun just feels warm. Spring is a great time for our chickens, too! You’ll notice them being a bit more active, taking some dirt baths, and sunbathing. They’ll start looking for worms, digging through leaves, and hunting down any tasty treats they can find. It’s fun to watch the chickens explore when spring shows up. It’s an exciting time to shop for chicks, clean up the coop, and start collecting eggs again. 

Spring Means Chick Days Are Here

Almost as good as Christmas decorations or holiday flare is that fabulous sign in front of Tractor Supply that announces, “Chicks are here!” And just like that - with the hint of spring weather, longer days, and warmer breezes comes the return of baby chicks. 

Typically,  you can waltz into your local Tractor Supply and pick up a few new chickens. You’ll find a few popular breeds, such as barred rock, golden comets, or sex links. You’ll probably see a bin full of straight-run assorted bantams, and if you’re lucky, some turkeys or ducks. 

The chicks are usually supplied by a local hatchery, vaccinated, and cared for by the staff until they are purchased. My experience with Tractor Supply chicks has been great - they are healthy, hearty, and adjust well. 

But they aren’t the only place to get your first baby chicks, although they are convenient and provide instant gratification when it comes to those little balls of cuteness. 

Hatcheries

I’ve also purchased chicks from hatcheries and had them shipped. I had no idea that chicks could be mailed right to your local post office. I’ve had mixed results with shipped chicks, however, if you don’t have a local source, they are a solid option. 

First, different hatcheries offer different breeds. So if you are looking for something very specific, like the all-black Cemani chickens, you may have to do a little bit of searching. 

Second, the chicks are shipped the day they hatch. Chicks can go for 3 days without eating or drinking, so as long as it is legal in your state and the chicks can get to you soon enough, you should be able to order them for delivery. Generally, you’ll have to pick them up at the post office. 

Third, you will need to order a certain quantity. Depending on the size and the breed, most hatcheries have small minimums to minimize the stress on the chicks. More chicks together mean they’ll stay warmer and arrive healthier. 

Fourth, not all hatcheries ship all year long. Cold and hot weather can be really hard on shipped chicks since the trucks they are delivered on may not have climate control. So you might need to wait if you are ordering during the off-season. 

I’ve had chicks arrive happy, healthy, and in perfect condition. I’ve also had some catastrophic deliveries, where the chicks didn’t survive because of the handling they received during shipping. Make sure the hatchery you work with has a good replacement policy in case your chicks don’t arrive in good condition. 

Most hatchery chicks can or will be vaccinated. It can usually be added to your cart at checkout. 

Local Farms 

Another great source of chicks is your local farms. Check Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, or search online for local chicken farms. They will often sell their extra chicks. 

Breeders 

If you are looking for a fancy breed or a show chicken, you’ll want to find a chicken breeder. Check with your local 4H club, poultry association, or search online to find a reputable breeder near you. When I wanted to start a small flock of Seramas, instead of buying chicks, I had to purchase fertilized eggs and hatch them myself. Just make sure your breeder has good lines and a clean, healthy flock! 

When you do get your chicks home, you’ll want to get them settled in their brooder immediately. Make sure they have plenty of food, water, and a heat source to keep them warm. And you can help your chicks overcome the stress of travel by adding Avaplex® to their drinking water. 

Spring Is a Great Time for Spring Cleaning

Spring isn’t just about getting new chicks, though. It’s a good time to give your coop a good cleaning, especially if you’ve been using the deep litter method. You’ll need to scoop out all of the old litter, any old, random eggs, and poop. I like to put it all in the compost bin. If your chickens free-range, watch them follow you around and scratch through it in case they’ve forgotten something good!

You can then hose out your chicken coop, knock down any old cobwebs, and wash out anything leftover. Leave it open to dry for a few hours before you put in some fresh new bedding and clean straw in the nestboxes. 

While you’re in there, you can look for any holes, broken roosts, or leaks that need to be fixed. Watch out for any signs of rodent damage and seal those holes up right away. Don’t forget to check the outside of the coop, too! 

As predators start having babies, they’ll be hunting for extra food to feed their babies. And you don’t want their next meal to be your favorite hen! 

It’s also a great time to give those feeders and waterers and extra scrub down. Get rid of any filth, dirt, or debris that may be stuck to the feeder or waterer. Make sure the feeder is dry and give everyone a fresh clean drink and fresh feed. 

Spring Means Fresh Eggs! 

Many breeds of chickens will slow or stop producing eggs over the winter. But as the days lengthen, the extra daylight will wake up their reproductive system and get them laying again. There are few things you can do to support your hens as they start to lay again. 

1. Make sure their nest boxes are inviting. Chickens need clean, dry nest boxes. Sometimes, they’re picky over which one they use. Sometimes they’ll squabble over them. And sometimes, they’ll hide their eggs where you have to hunt for them! 

You can make sure they have plenty of fresh straw or an egg mat in their next box, a little bit of privacy (like dividers in between boxes), and you may even want to put a dummy egg in to encourage them to lay there. You can purchase ceramic eggs from Amazon or Tractor Supply to keep in the next box all of the time. They’re so realistic, my kids used to collect them by mistake! 

1. Offer a well-balanced layer feed. If your hens are of egg-laying age, it’s best to offer a feed formulated just for them. It will help your chickens - and your eggs- be healthier. 
2. Offer Oyster Shell. You can purchase chicken feed with oyster shell already in it or you can offer it free choice to your hens. This will give them extra calcium, which will help develop stronger shells. 
3. Add Nutriplex-W™ to your chicken’s water. This supplement not only improves the overall health of your chickens, it also supports healthy egg laying, which means more, nutritious eggs for you! 

Whether you’re buying your first chicks or your 10th flock, you can get your feathered friends off to a healthy start to egg-laying season.