Looking for a farm or chicken hatchery in Illinois where you can buy chicks or eggs to hatch at home?
The backyard chicken community is huge in Illinois. It’s easy to see why too, it’s fun keeping chickens in the yard and no one complains about having fresh eggs daily.
I’ve put together a current list of hatcheries that will be able to help you out - depending on availability - give one a call and see if you can find what you’re looking for.
Good luck!
Table of Contents
Chicken Hatchery Illinois Listing
| Hatchery/Farm Name | Location | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Easy Chicken | St Louis, IL | 314-852-2802 | https://theeasychicken.com/ |
| Chicken Scratch Poultry | McLeansboro, IL | 618-643-5602 | https://chickenscratchpoultry.com/ |
| Belmont Feed & Seed | Chicago, IL | 773-588-1144 | https://www.belmontfeedandseed.com/ |
| Cherokee Flats | Farmer City, IL | 309-530-4206 | https://www.cherokeeflats.com/ |
| Birds of a Feather | Central Illinois | 217-341-0398 | Facebook Page |
The Easy Chicken
Address - St Louis, IL
Phone - 314-852-2802
Contact - NA
Website - https://theeasychicken.com/
Chicken Scratch Poultry
Address - McLeansboro, IL
Phone - 618-643-5602
Contact - [email protected]
Website - https://chickenscratchpoultry.com/
Belmont Feed & Seed
Address - Chicago, IL
Phone - 773-588-1144
Contact - NA
Website - https://www.belmontfeedandseed.com/
Cherokee Flats
Address - Farmer City, IL
Phone - 309-530-4206
Contact - NA
Website - https://www.cherokeeflats.com/
Birds of a Feather
Address - Central Illinois
Phone - 217-341-0398
Contact - NA
Website - Facebook Page
Additional Resources
I always recommend picking up chicks in person where possible. If you can’t find a hatchery close enough, however, you can easily order online.
A couple of the largest sites people use to buy chicks online are StrombergsChickens, and CackleHatchery.
The benefits of ordering online are that it’s convenient, you have a greater choice of breeds, and it couldn’t be easier.
The downsides are that you can’t see the birds first, check out the hatchery so you feel comfortable they’re kept in good conditions, and get to know the breeder in case you have questions in the future.
I’m not suggesting there’s anything wrong with online suppliers, I’m sure they look after their chicks to a high standard.
In fact, Cackle Hatchery is NPIP certified. Stromberg’s get their chicks from various breeders I think. I’ve spoken to people who bought from them they say their orders were marked as NPIP certified.
What Does NPIP Mean?
NPIP stands for the National Poultry Improvement Plan. It’s a certification that poultry breeders and sellers can opt into to demonstrate they are checking their flock for diseases and using best practices in their business.
It’s not a legal requirement, it’s a voluntary certification. It’s definitely an added stamp of approval however when choosing between two hatcheries.
When buying from a hatchery, I always like to see they’re NPIP certified. They usually make it clear on their homepage, or you can ask them.
Things to Look for When Buying Baby Chicks
When buying chicks there are some things to be aware of to ensure you’re buying happy and healthy chicks. Here are some basic tips that might make all the difference:
- First of all, it’s a good idea to check the laws in your area regarding keeping backyard chickens. Sometimes there are some specific stipulations, such as the number of chickens you’re allowed, no roosters, etc.
- When choosing a breeder or hatchery to buy from, call around a few and check online reviews before heading out. You want to make sure you’re buying from a reputable hatchery if possible.
- When you arrive to pick up your chicks, check out the premises. Look at how they care for their animals, we only want to buy from hatcheries that love their chicks as much as we do.
- Inspect your chicks before taking them away. Look for any signs of dirt or discharge around their eyes, nostrils, and vent. Look in their fur for dirt or any signs of mites too.
- Check they’re NPIP certified if you didn’t already know. Ask about what vaccinations they’ve done, and if they recommend you do any.
- Once you’re happy you have a healthy clutch of baby chicks you can bring them to their new home and start experiencing the joys of backyard chick owning.
