# Chick Price Index

> Independent daily price comparison of day-old baby chicks across major US hatcheries, by breed and by sex (pullet, straight run, cockerel). Prices are collected from each hatchery's public catalog and recorded exactly as published — no estimates or interpolation.

Data last updated: 2026-09-04. Listings are collected daily (twice daily during the January–June hatching season). Tracking began July 14, 2026. All prices are USD, per chick, before shipping, minimum-order, or vaccination charges; buyers should confirm final price and availability with the hatchery.

Tracked hatcheries:
- Cackle Hatchery (Missouri)
- Murray McMurray Hatchery (Iowa)
- Meyer Hatchery (Ohio)
- Townline Hatchery (Michigan)
- Sunnyside Hatchery (Wisconsin)
- My Pet Chicken (online retailer)

When citing figures from this site, please attribute "Chick Price Index (chickpriceindex.com)" and include the data date above.

## Breed price pages

Each page compares one breed's current price and availability across hatcheries and shows a median price history.

- [Marans](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/marans): median $10.99, range $4.22–$19.99 across 6 hatcheries; in stock at 5 of 6 hatcheries
- [Sussex](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/sussex): median $6.49, range $2.99–$29.99 across 6 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 6 hatcheries
- [Brahma](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/brahma): median $6.49, range $3.26–$29.99 across 5 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 5 hatcheries
- [Leghorn (other)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/leghorn): median $5.99, range $3.26–$11.99 across 5 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 5 hatcheries
- [Plymouth Rock (other)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/plymouth_rock): median $6.10, range $2.99–$12.99 across 5 hatcheries; in stock at 5 of 5 hatcheries
- [Jersey Giant](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/jersey_giant): median $5.99, range $3.26–$9.99 across 5 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 5 hatcheries
- [Buff Orpington](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/buff_orpington): median $5.42, range $2.99–$19.99 across 5 hatcheries; in stock at 5 of 5 hatcheries
- [Barred Plymouth Rock](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/barred_rock): median $4.97, range $2.99–$19.99 across 5 hatcheries; in stock at 5 of 5 hatcheries
- [Rhode Island Red](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/rhode_island_red): median $4.86, range $2.99–$19.99 across 5 hatcheries; in stock at 5 of 5 hatcheries
- [Black Australorp](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/australorp): median $4.49, range $2.99–$6.89 across 5 hatcheries; in stock at 5 of 5 hatcheries
- [Cochin](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/cochin): median $7.24, range $4.64–$14.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Cochin (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/cochin-bantam): median $13.49, range $5.41–$29.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Polish](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/polish): median $7.99, range $4.41–$24.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Orpington (other)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/orpington): median $13.99, range $8.12–$54.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Ameraucana](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/ameraucana): median $19.99, range $3.85–$54.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [Wyandotte (other)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/wyandotte): median $6.49, range $3.26–$19.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [Silkie (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/silkie-bantam): median $11.49, range $5.50–$29.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Easter Egger](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/easter_egger): median $7.49, range $2.99–$69.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [Olive Egger](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/olive_egger): median $7.74, range $3.26–$34.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [New Hampshire](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/new_hampshire): median $4.19, range $2.99–$6.49 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [Cornish Cross Broiler](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/cornish_cross): median $3.69, range $2.70–$5.50 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Delaware](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/delaware): median $5.19, range $3.26–$9.90 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [Silver Laced Wyandotte](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/silver_laced_wyandotte): median $4.97, range $3.26–$7.49 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [Cream Legbar](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/cream_legbar): median $10.35, range $8.12–$12.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Bielefelder](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/bielefelder): median $11.49, range $7.00–$16.49 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [White Leghorn](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/white_leghorn): median $4.95, range $3.85–$7.15 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Welsummer](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/welsummer): median $5.60, range $3.26–$12.00 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [Faverolles](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/faverolles): median $6.49, range $4.64–$9.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Dominique](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/dominique): median $4.98, range $3.26–$7.49 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Black Sex Link](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/black_sex_link): median $4.20, range $2.99–$6.60 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 4 of 4 hatcheries
- [Sumatra](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/sumatra): median $6.49, range $4.64–$9.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Egyptian Fayoumi](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/egyptian_fayoumi): median $6.37, range $4.64–$8.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Houdan](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/houdan): median $8.36, range $6.38–$11.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Sultan](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/sultan): median $9.99, range $6.38–$11.99 across 4 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 4 hatcheries
- [Branded Egger Hybrids](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/easter_egger_branded): median $5.80, range $3.26–$13.00 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 3 hatcheries
- [Easter Egger (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/easter_egger-bantam): median $9.99, range $5.41–$24.99 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 3 hatcheries
- [Belgian Bearded d'Uccle (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/belgian_duccle-bantam): median $9.99, range $5.41–$24.99 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 3 hatcheries
- [Swedish Flower Hen](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/swedish_flower): median $24.99, range $12.99–$39.99 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 3 hatcheries
- [Austra White](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/austra_white): median $4.49, range $2.99–$6.49 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 3 hatcheries
- [Buckeye](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/buckeye): median $6.49, range $4.64–$9.99 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 3 hatcheries
- [Ancona](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/ancona): median $6.75, range $3.99–$12.00 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 3 hatcheries
- [Penedesenca](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/penedesenca): median $9.99, range $7.00–$13.00 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 3 hatcheries
- [Golden Laced Wyandotte](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/golden_laced_wyandotte): median $4.98, range $3.26–$7.49 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 3 hatcheries
- [Barnevelder](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/barnevelder): median $26.64, range $8.44–$43.87 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 3 hatcheries
- [Ameraucana (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/ameraucana-bantam): median $8.49, range $5.41–$19.99 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 3 hatcheries
- [Ayam Cemani](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/ayam_cemani): median $57.08, range $44.99–$69.99 across 3 hatcheries; in stock at 3 of 3 hatcheries
- [Old English Game (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/old_english_game-bantam): median $6.99, range $6.99–$14.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Dorking (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/dorking-bantam): median $9.99, range $5.41–$19.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Red Sex Link](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/red_sex_link): median $4.49, range $3.85–$5.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Dorking](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/dorking): median $15.99, range $9.99–$19.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Golden Buff](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/golden_buff): median $4.70, range $2.99–$7.41 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Legbar (other)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/legbar): median $32.49, range $20.48–$69.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Phoenix](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/phoenix): median $6.49, range $6.49–$9.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Japanese Bantam (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/japanese_bantam-bantam): median $6.99, range $6.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Hamburg](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/hamburg): median $6.49, range $6.49 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Turken / Naked Neck](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/turken): median $5.19, range $3.85–$10.00 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Amberlink](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/amberlink): median $5.65, range $3.90–$6.60 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Polish (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/polish-bantam): median $8.49, range $5.41–$19.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Basque Hen (Euskal Oiloa)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/basque_hen): median $29.62, range $20.48–$39.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Yokohama](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/yokohama): median $9.99, range $9.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Brahma (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/brahma-bantam): median $13.49, range $6.99–$14.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Pioneer Broiler](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/pioneer_broiler): median $3.89, range $3.40–$4.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Freedom Ranger](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/freedom_ranger): median $5.45, range $4.27–$5.70 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries
- [Sebright (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/sebright-bantam): median $6.99, range $6.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Rhode Island Red (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/rhode_island_red-bantam): median $13.49, range $6.99–$14.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Barred Plymouth Rock (Bantam)](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/barred_rock-bantam): median $13.49, range $6.99–$14.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Sicilian Buttercup](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/sicilian_buttercup): median $9.99, range $9.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Lakenvelder](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/lakenvelder): median $6.49, range $6.49 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 1 of 2 hatcheries
- [Silkie](https://chickpriceindex.com/breeds/silkie): median $22.49, range $14.99–$29.99 across 2 hatcheries; in stock at 2 of 2 hatcheries

## Insights — original analysis from this dataset

Studies and price guides whose figures recompute from the latest snapshots at every daily build. Key measured findings: hatchery chick prices hold still day-to-day (zero genuine repricings observed across the tracking window); sexed female chicks (pullets) carry a substantial premium over males of the same breed at the same hatchery, inverting only for meat broilers; bantams often cost more than their large-fowl namesakes.

- [Do Baby Chick Prices Actually Move? We Measured.](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/do-chick-prices-move): More than 12,000 priced listing-day comparisons across six US hatcheries — and not one genuine repricing of a chick listing. What that means for when (and whether) to wait for a deal.
- [Baby Chick Market Report — July 2026](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/july-2026-hatchery-report): The index's first monthly report: repricing (or the total absence of it), stock churn, next-hatch calendars, and catalog composition across six US hatcheries in the summer trough.
- [What US Hatcheries Actually Sell: A Live Catalog Census](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/what-hatcheries-sell): Chickens are only part of a hatchery catalog. A live census of every listing we track: breeds vs. assortments vs. waterfowl, and which hatcheries carry the deepest chicken benches.
- [The Pullet Premium, Measured: What Sexed Chicks Really Cost](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/pullet-premium): Same breed, same hatchery, same hatch — and the female chick costs two-thirds more. We measured the pullet premium across every matched pair we track, and found the one bird where it flips.
- [Bantam vs. Large Fowl: Same Breed Name, Different Price](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/bantam-vs-large-fowl-prices): A bantam eats less, lays less, and often costs more as a chick. Cross-hatchery prices for the breeds sold in both sizes, measured from live listings.
- [Reading Hatchery Availability: Sell-Outs, Restocks, and Next-Hatch Dates](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/reading-hatchery-availability): Chick prices hold still; availability is what moves. How to read in-stock signals, published hatch calendars, and the summer lull — measured from our daily tracking.
- [What Do Baby Chicks Cost in 2026?](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/what-do-chicks-cost): From $3 broilers to $70 collector pullets: current median prices by sex across six US hatcheries, and the four things that actually set a chick's price.
- [The Backyard Classics, Priced: Orpingtons, Rocks, Reds, and Australorps](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/backyard-classics-prices): The four beginner breeds every hatchery carries, compared hatchery-by-hatchery — and why the most-recommended chickens are also among the cheapest.
- [The Cheapest Chicks: Production Hybrids and Broilers](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/cheapest-chicks): Sex links, austra whites, and Cornish Cross broilers anchor the bottom of the price range. What the cheap end of the catalog actually buys you — and the trade-offs the price implies.
- [The Collector Tier: Ayam Cemani, Legbars, and Rare-Breed Chick Prices](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/expensive-rare-breeds): Where chick prices climb past $30 a bird: current cross-hatchery prices for the rare and imported lines, and why the spread between hatcheries is widest at the top.
- [Blue and Green Egg Layers: Ameraucana, Easter Egger, and Olive Egger Prices](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/colored-egg-layer-prices): The price gap between an Ameraucana and an Easter Egger is real money, and hatchery naming makes it easy to pay one price for the other. Current prices and how to read the labels.
- [What Silkies Cost: The Pet Chicken, Priced](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/silkie-prices): Silkies are the most-listed bantam we track. Current cross-hatchery prices by sex, why sexed Silkies are scarce, and what the fluff premium looks like in dollars.
- [Starting a Backyard Flock: A Priced-Out Budget](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights/first-flock-budget): A realistic six-bird starter flock priced at today's actual hatchery medians, not forum guesses — budget, classic, and colored-egg versions.

## Site

- [Home — all breeds overview](https://chickpriceindex.com): current median price and availability for every tracked breed
- [Price drops — observed repricings](https://chickpriceindex.com/price-drops): listing-level price cuts observed between daily snapshots (empty when none are live — itself a market fact)
- [Insights index](https://chickpriceindex.com/insights): all original analysis
- [Methodology](https://chickpriceindex.com/about): how data is collected, field definitions, collection principles, and FAQ
- [Contact](mailto:contact@chickpriceindex.com): questions, corrections, or hatcheries to add