Chickens for sale

There are lots of reasons to keep some chickens in your backyard but you will want to do your research first. 

Here are some of the questions we’re often asked about buying chickens.

• Does your council allow you to keep chickens?
• So how do you go about buying them?
• Where do you get them from?
• What do they cost?
• What age should they be when you buy them?

This general information applies to buying chickens throughout all Australian States and Territories.

Can I Keep Chickens In My Backyard?

Yes, most councils allow you to keep chickens provided you house them in a clean, safe and hygienic coop.

Generally, the maximum limit is between 5 and 10 chickens in residential areas but roosters are not permitted.

Regulations vary but you will need to house your chickens at least 3 metres from your boundary. You must not allow your chickens to escape or create a nuisance.

Where Can I Buy Chickens?

The list of chicken breeders above is simply a list of local breeders based in Australia to help you start your search. Some of these companies may transport chicks interstate.

We receive no compensation for including any company in this list.

We neither recommend nor endorse any of these companies and take no responsibility for the services they provide. Please do your own due diligence.

Day old chicks cost usually around $12 and are often vaccinated but unsexed.

Point of lay hens for common varieties cost around $26 and pure bred cost around $75.

Do I Need A Chicken Coop?

A suitable sturdy chicken coop is essential for housing chickens and keeping them healthy and safe.

Chicken coops must be an adequate size and be escape proof. Look for features such as predator proof wire mesh to keep out snakes, foxes and rodents and easy to clean steel trays in the sleeping area.

Asphalt roofs will keep your chickens warm and dry in the winter and help keep them cool through the hotter months too.  Check the nesting boxes are adequately sized and that there are adequate perching rods.

Mesh covered windows and doors that provide ventilation are essential as well. And add-on runs with full-size access doors will make life so much easier for both yourself and your chickens.

Failure to provide adequate housing for your chickens will get you into trouble with the council and the RSPCA as well as make for unhealthy chickens.

We have a wide range of chicken coops to suit all-sized chicken families. Somerzby chicken coops are made from rot resistant Fir timber and use really sturdy hinges for long-life durability.

What Type Of Chickens Should I Choose?

There are 100’s of chicken breeds to choose from.

Which breed is right for you will depend on whether you want your chickens to be child-friendly pets, good egg layers, as tasty home-grown meat dishes or for show or breeding.

You’ll also want to think about whether they will be happy in your local climate.

Many chicken varieties come in smaller bantam versions, which is great if your plot size is a limiting factor. Some of the more popular breeds include:

• Great pets: Ameraucana, Silkie, ISA Brown, Pekin, Australorp, Brahma, Booted Bantam
• Consistent egg layers: ISA Brown, Leghorn, Australian Langshan, Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Wyandotte, Orpington
• Tasty meat: Australian Langshan, Dorking, Plymouth Rock, Delaware, Brahma
• Cheap to feed: Belgian Bantams, Sultan, Sebright
• Show chickens: Ameraucana, Houdan, Booted bantam, Buff laced Polish

 Many chicken varieties have extraordinary plumage and colour and even lay unusually coloured eggs. You can learn more about the enormous range of chicken varieties here.

What are the Best Chickens to Lay Eggs?

Some chicken breeders will offer Point of Lay chickens, and as the name suggests, these chickens are about to start laying. These chickens are usually around 4 to 6 months old.

The most consistent egg laying chickens include the ISA Brown, Leghorn, Australian Langshan, Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Wyandotte, Orpington breeds.

Can You Buy Fully Grown Chickens?

Be careful when buying fully grown, mature birds (older than 1 year) as they may be nearing the end of their egg production life. Mature chickens can be expensive to feed for little or no return.

Pet shops and breeders will often sell chickens that have been vaccinated for common poultry diseases so don’t forget to ask about this.

Fertile Eggs

Breeding chickens from eggs can be a lot of fun and is a cheap way of gaining some feathered friends. But you need to be wary especially when buying eggs online.

If you buy from less reputable sources it is easy to be scammed with eggs that produce the wrong breed, are not purebred or they may be damaged in transit.

You’ll need to start incubating the eggs immediately at 18 degrees making sure you turn them twice a day. Eggs should hatch after about 21 days.