Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

I actually don't have any birds yet! Currently I'm installing higher fences and building a coop, and am looking to fill it with brahmas/australorps/orpingtons come May.

My chicken-keeping friend from the States has made me swear not to buy from a hatchery (she says you're less likely to get healthy/good quality birds), but I'm having a spot of trouble finding local breeders. I'm in East York, and don't mind driving a couple hours to pick up birds.

Does anyone have breeder recommendations? Particularly interested in non-buff Orpingtons.

Thanks in advance, I'm so glad I found this forum!

You should find plenty of people within your range.
Enjoy your birds when you get them and don't be afraid to ask questions. We all started out at one time.

Welcome, there are some good breeders, pet quality in Brighton as well as some in Milton.

to ...glad to have you on board..I think you will enjoy the site..lotta great experienced folks here and friendly advice always...

Welcome! There are lots of good folk on this site.

When you are ready for birds, go to our wanted/for sale sections and post whet you are looking for. Do you plan on getting live chicks or are you going to do the incubator thing? You can also probably get more mature birds from someone on here to start. Just post what you want and someone is likely to be able to help. But not me if its pure lines you want. I specialize in coloured eggs and barnyard muts and broody hens.

If you don't find a breeder in your area Performace Poultry is a dependable Hatchery that has been in business for a long time.

Welcome! I agree with OC - go with PP if you're looking for pet quality chickens and can't find a local breeder.

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome!

I now have two birds pre-ordered from a local breeder, a Naked Neck & a Brahma

Performance Poultry has very cool variety, but it looks like the minimum order # for females is 5, which is more than I'd want. Farrier1987, since I'm inexperienced I'll be looking for adult or near-adult birds - I'll probably go with your suggestion & post in the wanted for/sale section when my coop's done.

They call those young birds RTL, or ready to lay. They are a good start, you will learn a lot from them, and when you get chicks later on, you kind of have a little bit to go on. And I suggest Amarecaunas. they lay reasonably well (blue eggs) and the pea comb is an advantage in our winters, they don't get frost bite.