Poultry Ordering Procedures
Poultry Quantity Minimums
All poultry is hatched on Tuesday and shipped on Tuesday or Wednesday. To ensure safe and warm delivery, we do not ship fewer than the required minimums listed below. You may mix and match Chicks, Ducks, Turkeys, and Guineas to meet the 25-bird minimum.
- Chicks: 25 minimum
- Ducks: 12 minimum
- Geese: 6 minimum
- Guineas: 25 minimum
- Turkeys: 15 minimum
- Pheasant / Chukar: 35 minimum
- Bob White Quail: 100 minimum (Shipping Zone 1–4)
To place a mixed order, please call 208-459-9088.
Poultry Ordering Deadline
To ensure your birds ship the same week, all orders must be received by Monday at 12:00 PM (noon). Orders placed after this time will be scheduled for the following hatch week.
Poultry Care
Salmonella Safety Information
Salmonella is a naturally occurring bacteria carried in the intestines of animals and can be shed into the environment. People become infected through hand-to-mouth contact. The best prevention is simple: wash your hands thoroughly after handling poultry.
Important Facts:
- Live poultry (chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys) can carry Salmonella even if they look clean and healthy.
- Bacteria can be present on feathers, feet, beaks, droppings, and surrounding areas.
- Illness can range from mild to severe.
DO
- Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling poultry.
- Help children wash hands—supervise always.
- Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
- Clean equipment such as cages, feeders, and waterers outside your home.
DON’T
- Do not let children under 5, elderly individuals, or immunocompromised people handle live poultry.
- Do not bring poultry inside your home, especially kitchens or food-prep areas.
- Do not snuggle, kiss, or touch your mouth after handling birds.
- Do not eat or drink around live poultry.
Estimated Feed Needs for Standard Chicken Breeds
For 100 chicks (not broilers or bantams):
- 10 lbs – First Week
- 20 lbs – Second Week
- 30 lbs – Third Week
- 40 lbs – Fourth Week
- 100 lbs – First 4 Weeks Total
- 360 lbs – First 8 Weeks Total
- 765 lbs – First 12 Weeks Total
- 1,255 lbs – First 16 Weeks Total
- 1,825 lbs – First 20 Weeks Total
- 2,475 lbs – First 24 Weeks Total
Estimated Water Needs for Standard Chicken Breeds
For 100 chicks (not broilers or bantams):
- 1 gallon per day – at 1 week old
- 2 gallons per day – at 2–4 weeks
- 3 gallons per day – at 5–8 weeks