If you have been raising chickens for some time now, you probably know the importance of finding a good hatchery. If you are new to the chicken game, you should know that it’s quite important where your chickens come from. In this article, you will be able to learn about the best chicken hatcheries in Michigan and some tips and tricks about buying chickens in this state.
Top 7 Chicken Hatcheries In Michigan
Finding a good hatchery is crucial for buying healthy baby chicks. You should look for the hatcheries that are, ideally, NPIP certified, have good recommendations, and optimal conditions for the chickens on their property.
Furthermore, it is best if you are able to personally pick up the chickens because shipping can be stressful for them. If you don’t have that option, you should look for a hatchery that handles the shipping process well. Here are the 7 best hatcheries in Michigan that meet all or most of these requirements.
1. The Funky Chicken Hatchery
The Funky Chicken hatchery is located in Vestaburg. If you are from Vestaburg you can pick up your chickens directly from the hatchery, but if you are not, they ship chickens all around Michigan. They are currently not NPIP certified. In the next table, you can see the breeds you can choose from and the price you can expect to pay.
| Chicken Breed | Price (starting from) |
| Java | 4$ |
| White Marans | 4$ |
| Barnevelder | 8$ |
| Cuckoo Marans | 4$ |
| Black Silver Marans | 6$ |
| Spangled Russian Orloff | 6$ |
| Ameraucana (unsexed) | N/A |
| Olive Eggers (unsexed) | 6$ |
| Welsummer | 6$ |
| Silkies (unsexed) | 6$ |
Location: 6770 N Crystal Rd, Vestaburg, MI 48891
Phone: 989-307-5031
2. Townline Hatchery
Townline Hatchery is an NPIP certified hatchery located in Zeeland. It exists since 1913, although its purpose has changed since then – it started out as a cow farm. Nowadays, the Townline hatchery is home to around 40000 chickens.
If you are not sure what breed of chicken you want to raise, this hatchery is a good place to choose from! Gold Wyandottes, Barred Rock, Isa Brown, Mystic Maran, Plymouth Blue Rock, Pearl Star Leghorn, Bantams, Olive Egger, and Black Australorp are just some of the chicken breeds that you can find at this hatchery. The prices range from around 2$ to 5.5$, so this hatchery is quite affordable. They currently don’t allow onsite pick-up.
Location: 4198 96th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464
Phone: 616-772-6514
3. The Chick Depot
The Chick Depot is a hatchery selling a variety of different breeds – Bantam chicks, Crested breeds, rare and exotic birds, as well as layers and boilers. The prices largely vary depending on the rareness of the chicken, from 2$ for standard breeds, and 10$ and more for exotic chickens, like those who lay colored eggs.
Not all breeds are available for shipping, but for those that are, shipping is free if you order more than 100 birds. The Chick Depot has a Live Arrival Guarantee and Replacement Promise. They are currently not certified by NPIP.
Location: Trout Ave, Gladwin, MI 48624
Phone: 734-747-0640
4. Six Feathers Farm
The Six Feathers Farm has been around since 2013. They are located in Charlotte and are NPIP certified. Apart from chickens, they sell fertile hatching eggs and other poultry.
The availability depends on the time of the year – chickens are usually available from March to November. The Six Feathers Farm currently offers Black Cochin chickens for 7$ each. They do not ship birds right now.
Location: 1306 Jack Henry Dr, Charlotte, MI 48813
Phone: 517-202-6041
5. Duck ‘N‘ Coop Hatchery Farm
This hatchery is located in Columbiaville Duck’N’Coop and it specializes in chickens, but they also breed turkeys, waterfowl, and peafowl.
They are currently not NPIP certified. They operate from February to July, although they have regular Silkies, Show Girl Silkies, Millie Fuler, and Calico Cochins for offer (5$ each), as of September 9th, 2021. You can choose either onsite pickup or shipping.
Location: 5174 N Lake Rd, Columbiaville, MI 48421
Phone: 810-656-5589
6. Crazy Chicken Ranch
Crazy Chicken Ranch provides poultry and chemical-free, non-GMO produce. They are located in Capac, but they ship all throughout the USA, and you need to order at least four chicks. . They do not allow onsite visits right now.
They currently have Leghorn sexed female chicks, Isa Brown sexed chicks, Rhode Island Red chicks, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Black Sexlink chicks, and Jersey Giant chicks. The price for each is 5$. They are not NPIP certified.
Location: 14300 Sullivan Rd, Capac, MI 48014
Phone: 810-223-7521
7. Cutler Supply
Cutler Supply is located in Applegate. They ship their chicks throughout the USA. They have a 90% guarantee for sexing, 70% fertile eggs, and a 100% arrival guarantee. You can find standard breeds, like Amberlink, Barred Rock, Isa Brown, and White Leghorn.
They also offer rare breeds, such as Black Jersey Giant, Light Brahma, Black Australorp, and Buff Orpington. Some of the premium breeds that you can find in this hatchery are Mystic Maran, Plymouth Blue Rock, Speckled Sussex, and Welsummer. Prices range from 2.4$ to 5.75$. They are not NPIP certified.
Location: 1940 Old M 51, Applegate, MI 48401
Phone: 810-633-9450
What To Look For When Buying Chickens In Michigan
Raising and taking care of chickens can be a rewarding experience. Apart from providing eggs and/or meat, they can be great pets as well. However, you should be aware of the following things if you are planning on buying chickens in Michigan.
Check The Law
If you are planning to get some hatching eggs or already-hatched chickens, don’t get too excited about it before you check the local laws on keeping poultry. Some cities allow keeping chickens but only with permit(s), like Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Troy, Charlotte, and many others.
For the cities that allow keeping chicks, there is usually a limit on the number of birds that you can have – often 4 to 6. Some cities allow the birds only in restricted areas, usually rural or agricultural zones.
On the other hand, some of the cities in Michigan prohibit keeping chickens. Detroit, Birmingham, Huntington Woods, and Oak Park are just some of the cities where fowl are not allowed.
Failing to obey these prohibitions can result in jail time and/or large fines, so make sure to thoroughly examine the law in your city to avoid the potential consequences.
Ensure Optimal Conditions
If you are buying chickens for the first time and you want to raise them for the production of eggs, you need to know about the cage-free law in Michigan.
This law was enacted in 2019 and it implies that no produce should be sold if they come from the chickens kept in cages. Therefore, you should make sure to have a space where your hens will be able to freely roam, with enough space for each of them.
Apart from cages being illegal now, you should provide your chickens with the best possible conditions. They all need to have enough space, high-quality food, and freshwater.
The happiest chicks are those who are able to go outside and free-range, at least a few hours every day (when the weather allows). Offer them optimal conditions and they will give back – whether you are raising them as pets, for eggs, or for meat.
Choose Hardy Chickens
When buying chickens to add to your flock, you should take into account the climate and weather of the city you live in. Some chickens are just not doing very well in extreme conditions, which can make them susceptible to diseases and other health problems like frostbites.
Michigan is warm during summer, but it is very cold during the winter. Therefore, you should opt-out for the cold-hardy chickens – those that can withstand low temperatures and harsh wind. Some of the good breeds for these conditions are Silkie Bantams, Wyandottes, Barred Rocks, Ameraucanas, and Cochins.
The breeds that you should probably avoid are Fayoumis, Leghorns, New Hampshire Reds, Antwerp Bantams, and so on.
Either way, you should always make sure that your chickens are feeling comfortable when it is too hot or too cold outside. Provide them with proper ventilation, a heating lamp, and good, warm bedding.
Protect Them From Predators
Depending on where you live in Michigan, there are many potential predators that can ruin your flock. Some of them are possums, snakes, foxes, raccoons, and coyotes. First of all, you should make sure that the coop where your chickens sleep is fully enclosed and safe. Check for any holes or ruptures so that nothing can come in.
Next, you should always go through the coop before your chickens go to sleep and check if it is empty – some of the predators can come in and stay there for a whole day while your chickens are outside.
Also, be careful when you let your chickens go outside and free-range. Ideally, you would be near them to check if everything is all right from time to time – some predators attack during the day.
Summary
Michigan offers many great hatcheries that can help you start or continue your journey with chickens. You can choose the right breeds for you from an extensive number of options, depending on your needs and conditions that you can provide for the chickens. Make sure to check if you are allowed to do so and enjoy taking care of these wonderful creatures!
Joseph Hudson has been raising chickens for over 15 years. In 2018, he completed the Agriculture & Natural Resources program at Mt. San Antonio College. He currently raises over 1400 chickens on his 7.5-hectare farm. He keeps sharing his experience on raising healthy and happy chickens on Chicken Scratch The Foundry.
