When you have decided to start a chicken farm in your backyard, the first thing which you should do is to find out a reliable live chicken supplier. If you buy from such a supplier, you can remain assured that the birds are of good quality and will be beneficial for the overall flock. But the big question is how will you find such a supplier among so many suppliers. Don’t worry because although the process is difficult, it is not impossible. In this article, we will discuss about some of the qualities which you should look for in a chicken supplier before selecting one. Let us begin.
Importance to biosecurity measures
Proper biosecurity measures are very much essential for maintaining the overall health of the flock. Before selecting a live chicken supplier, ask them about the biosecurity measures taken by them for ensuring the safety of the birds from diseases. Your chosen supplier should follow strict biosecurity measures for preventing infection among the birds. It will be better if you ask them for health certificates.
Ethical considerations
In this fast world, everybody wants to earn a handsome amount of money in a short span of time and chicken breeders are no exception. In order to do so, some breeders indulge in unethical practices. They inject growth hormones into the birds so that they grow unnaturally fast. They also give these birds chemically treated feed. This can give financial gains to the breeders in the short term but can harm our health in the long term. This is the reason you should enquire the breeders and make sure that they are not using unethical methods for growing chickens. Choose a supplier who uses sustainable methods for growing their chickens.
Genetics of the chicken
Genetics plays an important role when you are looking for live chicken suppliers. Chickens with good genetics will give superior quality meat and eggs. It is recommended that you enquire the suppliers about the genetics of the birds before purchasing from them. Introducing birds of good genetics into the flock will give a boost to the overall performance of the flock.
Price and quality
When you are looking for a live chicken supplier, do not make the mistake of selecting a supplier only on the basis of price. You should prioritize other factors like quality also. It is our tendency to go for the less expensive option but it can have negative consequences. If a supplier is ready to give you chickens at a lower price, it can because the fact that the birds do not belong to a good genetics. So, collect data about different suppliers, compare their prices and choose a breeder who gives good quality birds at reasonable price.
Delivery timing
Before choosing a chicken supplier, consider their location and make sure whether they will be able to deliver the birds within a given time or not. If the location is close to your house, then the birds will be delivered quickly, otherwise it will take some time. You can also enquire the breeders about their packaging methods. This will ensure that the chicks will be delivered to you in good condition.
You can get a reliable chicken supplier by assessing these qualities. So begin your journey as a chicken farmer by buying chickens from a reliable supplier.