All our chickens are brought in as sexed female chicks. For the first three weeks of their life, they are started in the brooder where we can best regulate the temperature of the room. As they grow, they are moved into the pens of the coop and continually given more and more space as they age. Ultimately, they are given the back portion of the barn.

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Our birds are started on a high protein starter feed that is finely ground, referred to as a mash. At 16 weeks of age we begun to mix layer feed into their diets and by 18 weeks of age they are transferred over to layer feed. With outside access grit is provided to aid in digestion and oyster shells as they begun to lay.

Our prices have been determined through much consideration as to the cost of the initial chicks and the costs of raising birds up to maturity. By purchasing your birds through Haven Hens you avoid chick raising problems, and roosters. 

Rarer and more uncommon breeds and colors cost more Cream Legbars and Lavender Orpingtons start around $10 to $12, compared to $5 to $6 for Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. Sexed female Silkies start at $15. Vaccination for Marek's and coccidiosis adds another 30 cents to 1 dollar per bird.

Many hatcheries have minimum order numbers far greater than what our average customer purchases or significant afees on lesser numbers of birds. My Pet Chicken has a minimum order of 3 birds with a $75  shipping and handling surcharge, this does not include the cost of the birds themselves.

Running one heat lamp typically costs $25 to $30 per lamp. As we start our birds over winter to ensure eggs come spring and summer, we typically end up providing heat beyond 8 weeks and gradually reduce this further to a more general temperature to avoid further stress.

When ordering chicks, losses and roosters should be expected.

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We've lost 29 of 30 when ducks were shipped over winter.  We've lost over half of a second order when they were shipped two states away and then back up. The first time my daughter ordered chicks, half were lost due to trampling. 

Many hatcheries offer a 90 percent guarantee on their sexing meaning that you could still end up with 1 rooster from every 10 pullets ordered. Straight run can be risky and we have gotten 15/15 and 10/12 males in two different orders.

Our price is a cumulation of the costs incurred to taken to raise them; the initial costs of the chicks, the feed, bedding and electricity, added security- alongside our time and is determined in accordance with the market.

It is our practice to have our Started Pullets vaccinated for coccidiosis and Marek’s at the hatchery.

Coccidiosis is called by a protozoa that is found wherever fowl has been kept previously. It can cause problems among younger birds frequently causing bloody diarrhea and death. By keeping your brooder clean, coccidiosis concerns can be greatly reduced.

Marek’s affects birds most severely when are a few months old. Mortality rates vary wildly with half of ones flocks being lost in more severe cases. This disease has four forms though commonly causes grey eyes with shrunken pupils, tumors within the body cavity and paralysis leading to a slow death by starvation.

If you have a mixed age flock and tend to bring birds to or from shows, swaps and sales. We strongly recommend getting birds which have been vaccinated.

While we order most everyone as sexed females, occasionally, roosters slip through. Hatchery guarantees are usually 90%, meaning 1 out of every 10 pullets could be a rooster. We usually have a limited selection of roosters available for the first weekend with any suspects being kept back till we know for sure.