How to Buy Chickens

When buying chickens, keep these tips in mind to make sure you end up with healthy birds.

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.