Jake Harper
Blain's Farm & Fleet holds seasonal events called Chick Days, during which customers can purchase a wide variety of baby poultry, including chickens, bantams, geese, ducks, turkeys, and game birds. The best time to buy chickens is in early to late spring, when conditions are ideal for young chicks to thrive. In 2025, Blain's Farm & Fleet's Chick Days took place on February 28, with select breeds being replenished weekly through June 6. The company also held Fall Chick Days on September 5, 2025, offering an assorted variety of day-old layer chicks and meat birds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chick Days | 2025 |
| Order Placement Start Date | December 26, 2024 |
| Types of Birds Available | Chickens, bantams, geese, ducks, turkeys, game birds |
| Store Availability | All stores except Oak Creek, Davenport, and Watertown |
| Store Stock Arrival Date | February 28 |
| Stock Replenishment | Weekly through June 6 |
| Recommended Buying Period | Early spring through late spring |
| Fall Chick Days | September 5, 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Blain's Farm & Fleet 2025 Chick Days
Blain's Farm & Fleet is excited to announce its 2025 Chick Days! This year, the event will take place on Friday, September 5, 2025, across all stores except Oak Creek, Davenport, and Watertown. Chick Days is a seasonal event where Blain's Farm & Fleet offers a wide variety of baby poultry for purchase, along with expert advice and essential supplies for raising a healthy flock.
During Chick Days, customers can purchase an assorted variety of day-old layer chicks and meat birds. Specific breeds of chicks are not guaranteed, but stores will have select breeds replenished weekly through June 6th, and these will vary by location. Those interested in purchasing chicks are encouraged to call their local store to check availability and come early, as chicks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Blain's Farm & Fleet also offers a large collection of feed and treats for chickens, carrying top brands such as Nutrena, Kent, and Agrimaster. In addition, they provide essential chicken-rearing supplies such as incubators, waterers, feeders, coops, and heat lamps. Customers can also find resources and articles on their website with tips and guides on caring for chicks and poultry birds.
For those who wish to place orders for chicks online, Blain's Farm & Fleet began accepting orders for their 2025 Chick Days on December 26, 2024, offering over 190 varieties of birds, including chickens, bantams, geese, ducks, turkeys, and game birds. Chickens will also be available for online ordering starting on the same date.
Blain's Farm & Fleet's Chick Days provide an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to start or expand their backyard flocks. With a wide selection of poultry, expert advice, and essential supplies, customers can confidently raise happy and healthy chicks.
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Breeds available in-store
Blain's Farm & Fleet offers a wide variety of baby poultry for purchase during its Chick Days events. The company also provides expert advice, essential supplies, and other resources to help customers successfully raise their chicks.
While Blain's Farm & Fleet does offer a wide variety of baby poultry, specific breeds of chicks are not guaranteed and are subject to availability and location. The company recommends that customers call their local store to check availability.
During the 2025 Chick Days event, Blain's Farm & Fleet offered an assorted variety of day-old layer chicks and meat birds. The company also offered over 190 varieties of birds available for pre-order online, including chickens, bantams, geese, ducks, turkeys, and game birds.
Breeds of chicks available in stores may vary, but some options may include:
- Layer chicks: These are female chicks that have been specifically bred and raised to produce eggs. They may be a good choice for those interested in having a steady supply of farm-fresh eggs.
- Meat birds: These are chicks that have been specifically bred and raised for meat production. They tend to grow faster and have more meat yield than other breeds.
- Ornamental chickens: While some chickens are meant for egg or meat production, others are more suitable for ornamental purposes. These chickens may have unique plumage, colouring, or other aesthetic features that make them attractive additions to a backyard flock.
- Ducklings: In addition to chickens, Blain's Farm & Fleet also offers duck breeds during Chick Days. Ducks can be a great addition to a backyard flock, providing eggs and entertainment with their swimming and foraging habits.
- Turkey poults: Turkeys are another type of poultry offered by Blain's Farm & Fleet. They can be a good choice for those looking to raise a larger bird for meat production or as a unique addition to their flock.
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Raising chicks
Planning and Preparation:
Before bringing home your chicks, it's essential to have the necessary supplies and create a suitable environment for them. This includes setting up a brooder, which is a warm and enclosed space for the chicks to grow. The brooder should be large enough for the chicks to move around and have access to food and water. You'll also need a heat lamp to keep them warm, especially during the first few weeks. Additionally, ensure you have feeders and waterers specifically designed for chicks.
Choosing and Purchasing Chicks:
When choosing where to purchase your chicks, you have several options, including local farm supply stores, small farms, online retailers, or community members who breed their birds. Consider your preferences for purebred or mixed breeds, and don't hesitate to ask the seller questions about the chicks' genetic lines, potential illnesses, and return policies. If you want to select your chicks firsthand, visit a feed store during spring, as most farm suppliers stock newly hatched poultry from March to May.
Caring for Newly Hatched Chicks:
The first few weeks are critical for the health and well-being of your chicks. Maintain a warm brooder temperature between 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit during the first week, gradually reducing the heat by 5 degrees each week. Observe their behaviour to ensure they're comfortable: if they huddle together and chirp excessively, they may be too cold, but if they actively avoid the heat source, they might be too hot. Always provide fresh water and chick starter feed, ensuring that they have easy access to both. Additionally, use pine shavings and newspaper in their brooder, scattering chick feed on the paper to encourage feeding.
Integrating with Existing Flock:
If you already have an established flock, carefully plan the integration of new chicks to avoid any bullying or pecking order issues. The playpen method can be effective, where you create a separate enclosure for the chicks that is close enough for familiarisation without direct contact. This method allows the chicks to grow a bit larger before any potential bullying occurs, making it easier for them to defend themselves. Ensure your entire flock has sufficient space to reduce overcrowding and minimise stress, which can lead to decreased egg production.
Transitioning to a Coop:
As your chicks grow, they will eventually need to transition from the brooder to a chicken coop. Typically, chicks are considered "chicks" for about the first six weeks after hatching. By this time, they should be able to maintain their body temperature without additional heat. When transitioning them to the coop, ensure they have access to feeders, waterers, and enough space to roam and explore. Continue to provide age-appropriate feed and gradually introduce treats like leafy greens, grass, seeds, and bugs. Always remember to use red bulbs in the coop to prevent any injuries from pecking due to the visibility of blood under white light.
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Chicken care essentials
Blain's Farm & Fleet offers a wide variety of baby poultry for purchase during its Chick Days. The best time to buy chickens is from early spring through late spring, when conditions are ideal for young chicks to thrive.
If you're looking to buy chicks and raise them, here are some chicken care essentials you should consider:
Space and Setup
Firstly, ensure you have enough space for your chickens to free-range. Each chicken needs approximately 500 square feet of outdoor space. This can be the space where you place your coop and run, or it can be additional space in your yard where your chickens can roam freely.
Chicken Coop
You will need a chicken coop to protect your birds at night and keep them safe from predators. Coops can be purchased or built according to your needs and local regulations.
Feeders and Waterers
Provide your chickens with a constant supply of fresh water using a poultry waterer. The nipple-style waterers with a closed lid are ideal as they minimize evaporation, ensure clean water, and prevent chickens from perching on top. For feeding, options include Grandpa's feeder (an automatic trough), classic poultry feeders, or a heavy dish on the ground.
Bedding and Cleanliness
Chickens can be messy, so regular cleaning of their bedding and feathers is necessary. Use extension cords for electrical items, especially during winter. Create a compost pile in your yard to dispose of chicken droppings, which are excellent for compost.
Health and Safety
Be aware of potential health risks, especially if children are around, as they are more vulnerable to contracting salmonella and E. coli from chickens. Ensure you have someone experienced to care for your chickens when you are away.
Other Essentials
Other items to consider include incubators, heat lamps, and bug zappers to keep your chickens comfortable and safe from insects and contaminants.
Remember to always research and consult reputable sources and experts when preparing to care for chickens, as there may be specific considerations depending on your location and the breed of chickens you intend to keep.
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Chick health
Blain's Farm & Fleet offers a wide variety of baby poultry for purchase during its Chick Days. The best time to buy chicks is in early to late spring, when conditions are ideal for young chicks to thrive.
Purchasing Chicks
It is recommended to buy chicks from NPIP-certified breeders or hatcheries, as they test their flock for diseases. When purchasing from a farm supply store, ensure the chicks are lively, eating, drinking, and free from injuries.
Intake and Quarantine
Upon intake, chicks should be evaluated for any health issues by a veterinarian. If you have vaccinated your chicken residents against certain diseases, coordinate the administration of these vaccinations to the chick in consultation with your veterinarian. If the chick is with their mother, avoid separating them unless absolutely necessary, such as in the case of illness or recovery from a health issue.
Nutrition
A nutritious and well-balanced diet for a chick includes a commercially available starter feed (crumbles or mash) with extra protein, fat, and vitamins. Chicks will only need a starter feed for the first four to eight weeks. After this, transition to a grower feed for adolescent chickens. Chicks will need about 1–2 tablespoons of insoluble grit mixed into every quart of starter feed to help with digestion and prevent gastrointestinal obstruction.
Large breed chicks, such as Cornish cross chicks, are prone to overeating, which can lead to crop issues. Monitor their intake and growth closely, and regulate their food if necessary.
Environment
Chicks need a clean environment with access to food and water at all times. Clean water is essential for healthy chicks. To prevent respiratory issues and the risk of infection, avoid using cedar-based products in their environment. Provide absorbent bedding, such as paper litter, pine shavings, hemp bedding, puppy pee pads, or straw.
Chicks need warmth, especially when left alone, as they typically huddle together for warmth. They can go outdoors when they can maintain their body temperature, which generally takes about four weeks.
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Frequently asked questions
You can place your chick orders online starting December 26, 2024.
You can pick up your live chick orders in stores (except Oak Creek) starting February 28, 2025.
You will need incubators, waterers, feeders, coops, and heat lamps. You can find these supplies at your local Blain's Farm & Fleet or on their website.
