I want some real bad. City Council is still debating it in the most ridiculous way - one councilman, who just got his ass thrown in jail for tax evasion BTW, didn’t want to allow them because he was worried about hens in traffic. Imagine!
The boyfriend doesn’t want me to get any even if they’re allowed, though, because he says I’m not responsible enough about the litter boxes for the cats.
I have had them arrive with an occasional dead in shipping, and one that seemed to have a sprain or pulled leg muscle before, but surprisingly enough they seem to survive shipping. You do absolutely have to have the brooding area ready for them when they arrive, they are very stressed out from the travel but they pop back nicely when they are toasty warm and have food and water and shredded paper, or bedding to snuggle in.
In a sense they are like human or other babies - amazingly sturdy and delicate at the same time.
You can buy slightly older chicks sometimes - just email customer service at the hatchery and ask if they have any chicks remaining from a previous hatch, if you are close enough to the ahtchery they will sometimes let you pick them up directly.
Hot chicks!
That is pretty much the way we do it. We keep them in the house, handle them as much as possible, and right around the time they are getting smelly, it is time to go outside.