Instructions
If egg production is your main concern, buy leghorns or Rhode Island Reds. The leghorns are bright yellow as chicks, and the Rhode Island Reds are a combination of red and browns. The leghorns are white egg layers and the Rhode Island Reds are brown egg layers. If the chickens are meant for meat, buy Ross, Arbor Acres or Peterson chickens. They will have the highest nutrient counts if you feed them properly. Check the hatchery's stock before buying any of these breeds.
Buy healthy, active chicks with clear, bright eyes. The feathers should have good definition and bright color. Avoid selecting any chickens that appear sick as one ill chick can infect the entire stock.
Select the best breed for your climate. Ask a local co-op or university outreach program to verify that the breed you select will strive in your area. Talk with hobby farmers and local distributors about what breeds live comfortably in that area. You should not have to provide special heating or cooling for your chickens.
How to Buy The Best Live Chickens
The first rule of buying live chickens is to know who you're buying from and what breed you want. Get references on the breeders. They should have a record of producing and selling healthy birds. The breed should be based on how you plan to use the chickens and the area in which you live.