What to Know Before Buying Chickens for Your Coop

Chicken Scammers Exist....Unfortunately

Getting chickens is exciting! But before you bring home your first flock, it’s important to know what to expect—especially when buying chicks or hens online. From avoiding scams to caring for them when they arrive, here’s what you should know to start your chicken journey the right way.

Watch Out for Chicken Scams

There are many real breeders and hatcheries online—but sadly, there are also scams. Some people post photos of cute baby chicks on websites or in Facebook groups, ask for payment, and then disappear. Never send money to someone you don’t know without checking if they’re real. And lately, they've been stealing and cloning other people's Facebook profiles posing as that person to make a fraudulent transaction.

These people can be convincing. If you find yourself using Venmo for a transaction, be on red alert. Scammers know what they can get away with, and that includes the final payment feature on Venmo - where you can't get your money back unless you have the special box clicked, and an appeal is issued.

Tip: If a deal seems too good to be true—or they rush you to send money—it’s probably a scam.  If they ask you for more money down, it's a scam.  If they say there's another person putting a larger amount of money down than you....it's a scam.

What to Do If You Get Scammed

If you think you’ve been scammed, here are a few things you can do:

• Report it to your bank or credit card company. They may be able to stop the payment or help you get your money back.
• Report the scammer to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Center if it happened online.
• Warn others by reporting the post or seller on Facebook or other websites. You might help someone else avoid the same mistake.
• Learn from it and move on. Sadly, you might not get your money back. But now you know what to watch out for next time.

How to Find a Reputable Hatchery

Buy chicks or chickens from a hatchery or farm that’s been around for a while. Good hatcheries have websites, real addresses, and reviews from happy customers. You can also ask local feed stores or farm groups for recommendations.

Look for hatcheries that are NPIP certified (National Poultry Improvement Plan). This means they test their birds for diseases and follow health rules.

Check Your Local Laws and Codes Before Ordering Chicks

Before you buy chickens, check your city or town’s rules. Some places don’t allow chickens at all. Others might allow hens but not roosters, or limit how many birds you can have.

You may need a permit or a fenced-in coop, so make sure you know the rules before ordering your flock.

How Are Chickens Shipped?

Day-old chicks are often shipped as priority mail through the U.S. Postal Service in special boxes with air holes. They are usually mailed right after they hatch, when they still have yolk in their bellies to keep them full for a day or two. Some hatcheries also provide feed and GroGel in the box for the day old chicks which provides nutrients and hydration.

Your post office will call you as soon as your chicks arrive. Be ready to pick them up quickly so they don’t get cold or stressed. If the weather happens to be terrible (extreme cold or heat), both the USPS and the hatchery will not ship the chicks until the weather improves.

Survival Rate of Chicks in the Mail

A 1–5% chick loss is considered standard during normal shipping conditions. When the weather is extreme that rate may increase up to 15%. Since the USPS sends the chick boxes as priority mail the delivery arrives within 1 to 2 days lessening the risk of death. When shopping around for chicks be sure to ask your hatchery how they package their chicks, as poor shipping practices increase the loss rate. 

When ordering, try to avoid shipments during holiday weekends or peak mail times like the week of Christmas when the Post Office is bombarded with packages. Choose delivery when temperatures are between 40°F and 80°F. Also, be available to pick chicks up immediately from the Post Office.

What to Do First When Your Chickens Arrive

The most important thing to do when your chicks get home is to keep them warm. Place them right into a warm brooder with clean bedding, food, and water. Use a brooder plate to keep the temperature around 95°F for the first week.

Dip each chick’s beak gently in water so they know where to drink. Then let them settle in and rest. Shipping can be stressful, so quiet time helps them feel safe.

How to Know If a Chicken Is Healthy

Healthy chicks are fluffy, alert, and active. They should be walking around, chirping, and eating or drinking. Avoid chicks that look sleepy, weak, or have crusty eyes or pasty bottoms.

The chicks should also have been inspected by the hatchery for deformities like no crooked legs, curled toes, or splayed legs. Typically chicks have 4 toes (5 for Silkies and Dorkings). They should also have clear eyes, a clean vent, and a full belly from the absorbed yolk.

If you’re buying older hens, look for clean feathers, bright eyes, and steady walking. Ask the seller if the birds have been vaccinated or tested for diseases like Marek's.

Start Smart for a Healthy Flock

Getting chickens is fun—but it’s important to do it the smart way. Watch out for scams, check your local rules, buy from a trusted hatchery, and be ready with a warm space when your chicks arrive (have that brooder ready). With the right start, your chickens will grow healthy and strong—and your backyard will be full of happy clucks and eggs in no time!