How to Buy Chickens
When buying chickens, keep these tips in mind to make sure you end up with healthy birds.
Instructions
- Step 1: Choose a breed Choose a chicken breed that meets your needs.
- TIP: Keep in mind cold weather tolerance, chick-rearing characteristics, egg color, breed personality, and rate of egg-laying.
- Step 2: Check the eyes Look for a bird with bright eyes, free of discharge.
- Step 3: Check the beak Make sure the bird's beak is neither twisted nor overgrown.
- Step 4: Check the nostrils Check the bird's nostrils for any sign of discharge. Discharge is a sign of illness.
- Step 5: Check the crop Feel the bird's crop. If it is empty in mid-day, the bird may not be eating.
- Step 6: Check the feathers Check the feathers for lice. The feathers should be smooth, soft, and shiny.
- TIP: Birds may molt, or lose their feathers, once a year. The feathers grow back.
- Step 7: Check the vent Make sure the bird's vent is clean, pink, and smooth.
- Step 8: Check the legs Check that the bird's legs are smooth and free of raised scales.
- Step 9: Check the weight Make sure the bird has a healthy weight. Then collect your chickens and head back to the farm.
- FACT: There are approximately 200 breeds of chicken around the world.
You Will Need
- Eye for healthy attributes
- Money