ORDERING CHICKS
THE HOME FARM FLOCK
WHEN TO ORDER______The first baby chicks for the 2010 season will be arriving at Derry Feed around the end of March, first of April. Additional shipments of chicks will arrive there after at two week intervals until the end of June. July through October chicks will still be available but the minimun order requirement is larger.
QUANTITY REQUIREMENTS______From March through June the minimum quantity of chicks that may be ordered is 12. The State of NH, Dept. of Agriculture states that any poultry of fowl under 6 weeks of age can not be sold in any minimum quantity under 12. Law 437:15 From July to October chicks (will still be available but) must be ordered in quantities of 25 minimun.
PRICING_Egg Production Birds 3.25 each ___*39.00 / dozen (minimum order)
* note: Araucanas are 4.00 ea
_Meat Production Birds 2.75 each___*33.00 / dozen (minimum order)
*freight from Pennsylvania is included in price
*Prices are subject to change without notice.
ORDERING DIFFERENT VARIETIES___A 12 chick order may NOT be composed of more than two varieties. Derry Feed retains the right to accept or reject a request if it proves too difficult for the hatchery to fill or too difficult for Derry Feed to receive and properly take care of. We do not have the facilities to keep seperate a great number of different varieties of baby chicks on site.
DEPOSIT ON ORDER_____A 50% non-refundable deposit is required when you place your order. If Derry Feed is unable to get the chicks the deposit will be refunded. Once the order "has been called in" to the hatchery the order may be cancelled but the deposit will NOT be returned . You should be sure of your decision to establish a home flock when you place an order. There is NO guarantee on livestock. The birds leave the store healthy. It is up to you to keep them healthy.
DEBEAKING AND VACCINATION : All birds will be debeaked ( the tip of the beak is removed - this is a beneficial proceedure ) and vaccinated with Merek's by the hatchery. Merek's prevents disease. Bantams or rare breed birds will not be debeaked or vaccinated.
SEXING: _________ All chicks are sexed by the hatchery. Perfection is not guaranteed but the hatchery does a good job.
COMMERCIAL EGG PRODUCTION BIRD VARIETIES:
*Rhode Island Red__This dark red bird is an excellent layer of large brown eggs. Roosters average about 7 pounds - hens about 5 lbs. RIR's are dual purpose bird for either meat or egg production. If dressing birds at 9-11 weeks pullets may average 4-1/2 pounds and cockerels 5-1/2 to 6lbs.
*Barred Rocks__This Black and white bird presents a beautiful appearance, lays a large brown egg and has very tasty meat. Rooster average about 7 pounds - hens about 5 lbs.
Barred Rock
*Red Sex Link__The hens of this variety are red, while the roosters are white with a few colored feathers. They possess excellent livability and lay extra large brown eggs. Roosters average 5 pounds - hens 4/1/2 lbs. The Red Sex Link Hybrid is the result of crossing the pure Rhode Island Red rooster with a Delaware hen. The results are a color sexed chick offspring of vigor and health. The cockerels are shades of light colors and the pullets are shades of reds. Excellent brown egg layers for the family to enjoy.
*White Rocks__This 100% purebred white bird produces a large brown egg, and a very tasty meat. Roosters average 7 pounds - hens about 5-1/2lbs.
White Rocks
*Black Sex Link __Hens are black with a golden neck and tail.Roosters are black and white barred. BSL's lay large brown eggs and are an exceptionally hardy excellent small flock bird. A BSL is a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Barred Rock. BSL's have been the top choice of Derry Feed customers for the past two decades. Roosters average 7 pounds - hens about 5 lbs.
Black Sex Link Hen and Rooster
A Rhode Island Red Rooster Male & Barred Rock Female are the BSL's parents.
*White Leghorn__If you are interested in producing white eggs at the very least cost this is the bird for you.
White Leghorns
*Araucana__The "Easter Egg" Chicken Ths unusual breed gets it's name from thw Indian tribe of Chili where they were first discovered. These beautiful chickens ar e know for their ability to lay colored eggs of shades varying from turquoise, to deep olive, to shades of blue and brown. Adult Araucanas are of medium size with pea combs and exhibit a wonderful combimation of colors and patterns. Araucanas make a beautiful laying flock that is extremely hardy. Baby chicks come in all colors, plain anad fancy, just like the adults. Please Note the Araucanas are more expensive being priced at 4.00 each (price includes shipping).
Araucanas
COMMERCIAL MEAT PRODUCTION BIRDS VARIETIES:__ Must be fed a high energy Broiler type feed.
*Cornish Super Giants (White) Cockerels__This white bird possesses an extra broad breast with extra thick drumsticks and thighs. They make premium broilers in 7 weeks, roasters in 12 weeks. and capons as heavy as 15 lbs. Derry Feed recommends these cockerels as the best choice.
Cornish Chicks
Cornish Meat Birds
*Red Cornish__Feather color is light red. This is an easy dressing bird similar to the White Cornish. White Laced red cornish, as were all Cornish, were originally known as Indian-Games, and have been around since the early 1900's. Like their cousins, the Dark Cornish, these beautiful Reds are known for their sturdy looks and brilliant rich red feathers which are laced or tipped in white. Red Cornish are very hardy and are known to survive in adverse conditions. The standard weight for a male is 7.5 lbs., and the standard weight for a female is 6 lbs. The hens are good producers of a tinted egg, but are not broody. Cornish are recommended for meat production. they have large drumsticks and breasts. The mature roosters do not get along well with each other. Chicks are fairly large at hatching and are a gold buff color.
*Kosher King __Fast growth, large size and the very best tasting poultry meat on the market are the strong points of the Kosher King. Feathering resembles the Barred Rock. Cockerels reach 8-1/2 pounds in 12 weeks. Capons go to 16 pounds.
The Kosher King meat bird is a voracious eater.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO BEGIN__Medicated Chick Starter or Broiler Crumbles / Heat Lamp and White Bulb / Chick Feeder and Waterer / Large Box / Wood Shavings for Bedding.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR ADULT BIRDS____Adult Feeder / Adult Waterer / Predator Safe Coop / Shavings.
BROODING TEMPERATURE______First week - 90 degrees ( use a heat lamp) . Decrease the temperature weekly by raising the heat lamp up to be further away from the baby chicks. If the baby chicks huddle under the lamp they are cold. Lower the heat lamp. If the baby chicks stay away from the lamp it is too hot for them. Raise up the hanging heat lamp. Keep a watchful eye. We recommend fresh warm water and "chick starter" feed on arrival.
FEEDING YOUR CHICKENS_________Do not limit feed. Keep the feeder full all the time. For the first 8 weeks for egg production birds feed chick starter mash . From 8 to 20 weeks of age feed chick grower. After 20 weeks of age feed layer pellets or mash. Feed comes in 25 and 50 pound bags. Broilers will eat a high energy broiler type feed from the beginning.
FOR WINTER______item 338611 Farm Innovators__Heated Poultry Fount___*49.99 ea __*price subject to chg w/o notice.
BUILDING A COOP_____________
A Nice Coop
A-Frame Coop
Coop Attached to the House 
Small Coop Sketch/ 6 birds +-
Small Painted Urban Coop
Lovely young lady holding a Black Sex Link. The End.