Chook Me!

Where to get baby chicks for kids in South New Jersey?

I'd like to get some baby chicks for my kids as gifts. I live in south Jersey. Where can I get them? Please help. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. What will you do after Easter? Eat them? They grow on farms, then people kill and eat them. They're not very good "pets", especially when they become CHICKENS!
2. Call a local farm
3. Chicks are cute as an Easter gift, but what will you do with them when they grow up? Do you have the space and time to take care of full grown chickens? Maybe you should think this through.
4. Baby chicks are SOOOO CUTE!!!! For about 8 days.... On the 9th day, they are a big, dirty, dusty, loud, smelly, CHICKENS. So, if you want your kids to see the pet they loved for 8 days to be taken away from them.... don't do it in the first place. Unless, of course.....your kids live on a farm. (and will see the chicks get his head cut off....)
5. Ah, don't mean to be rude, but baby chicks are not pets. They are meant to be bought to be raised on a farm or in the country so they can provide eggs or be used as food. Plus, they can give the kids salmonella poisoning. Why don't you do some research on the net and you and the kids figure out how to make some baby chicks as a craft.
6. I have chickens, and I don't live on a farm. I enjoy them very much. For me, (this is a true story)... one day a hen and a rooster showed up in my yard. I fed them some bread. When I was food shopping I picked up some cracked corn. The chickens kept coming back (like cats when you feed them), and I thought that was so cool. Well, the hen disappeared for a few days and wouldn't you know... she had 13 baby chicks! I have about an acre of property, had some friends build me a chicken coop and I absolutely look forward to feeding the chickens every day. I think they are great. They produce about 4 to 6 eggs a day though (too many for my family)... so I give a lot of eggs away. To answer your question, I know of a place near where I live (Ocean County, NJ), but I don't know the name. There is a sign, they sell baby chicks and goats (I pass by it all the time). I'm sure you could ask your local animal control if they know of any of your neigbors have chickens. Like for me, for example, I have 12 hens and 2 roosters (I know, you're not supposed to have more than one rooster.. but I'm not going to hurt either of them). So, I know soon I'm going to have more babies and I'm not sure what to do with them. My local animal control guy keeps chickens, I figured if/when the time comes I'll ask him who might want them. Just an idea. Good luck.
7. You can get chicks through a farmer or farm supply store, but THINK before you do it. I raise chickens and chicks aren't really pets unless you intend to raise them to adulthood. Baby chicks can't be handled and carried around constantly because they need to be kept under heat lamps for their first few weeks until they are fully feathered. After a week when the feathers start coming in they really aren't that cute at all. They won't, however, give your children salmonella. I have bought toy chicks that peep when held in your hand. Or perhaps you can take the children to see and visit real chicks without the expectation of bringing any home. If you do want to raise them, check your local zones. Many places do allow chickens, but only a certain amount and usually no roosters within city limits. If you are serious about an "Easter" pet, bunnies are easier and can be litter trained. Hope this helps.
8. First, make sure that you are allowed to have them in your city! Then go to the local feed store and purchase one. Make sure you know what you will do with it when it grows up. They need permanent homes, not just a short term one for easter while they are still cute and fuzzy.
9. You shouldn't get them baby chicks they could be carrying diseases and be a health hazzard.