Pips 'n Chicks Breeding Programs
Pips 'n Chicks raises and grows commercial Coturnix quail, heritage poultry, and lambs. We strive to build functional animals that are built right from the ground up, with a genetic background to match. We have been deeply involved in plumage and heritability genetics in poultry with work at UW River Falls, the International Poultry Production Exposition, and other projects, so we know not only how to raise animals right, but how to create that foundation and lineage that will last. We bought our first farm site in 2026, and are working to build the research farm up through 2027. Our goal is to run the farm almost completely autonomously, with extensive data on animal growth, efficiency, and welfare by using top-of-the-line technology often created on the farm by our engineers.
We rarely sell live animals from our lines, as most of what we do is under contract. If you are interested in hatching eggs, chicks, or live sets, please see https://poultryauction.co/. The auction site is the only way to get birds from us, and we are not selling sheep publicly at this time. Because we are selective about what and how much we sell, we can build stronger relationships with the people we sell to. We often work with youth in 4H/FFA, as well as novice and experienced exhibitors, to set them up for success. If you have gotten animals from us and ever have questions or would like advice, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Current Animals & Pens
Meet our current birds, goals, and awards
Quail
Our exhibition poultry lines are also tracked extensively. We raise heritage chicken breeds with the goal of preserving their functionality. All birds must be hearty, healthy, productive, and strong first, and excel in the showroom second. We focus on dark Brahmas, Shamo, Booted Bantams, and red pyle Moderns. We also have a rotating pen that we use to collect data on other breeds for the Poultry Index on Poultry Pro.
For sheep, we are building our flock of naturals (blue) and fitted dorsets. All sheep are raised for the show ring, with a focus on sound and correct sheep that have a rack and loin to match. This is the first year with our show program, and we hope to start off with the best stock possible and grow the flock. Most ewes will be retained and leased to show families, while wethers will be sold for show or raised for market.
Awards:
-Reserve Champion Gamebird, WI Gamebird Club 2024
-Champion Quail, Coulee Regional Poultry Show 2023
-Reserve Champion Quail, Coulee Regional Poultry Show 2023
-Best in Show Open Poultry @ Houghton County Fair 2023
-Used for Grand Champion Youth Showmanship @ Houghton County Fair 2023
-Honorable Mention Overall @ Pips 'n Chicks 2023 Virtual Show (Youth Quail)
Poultry
Our exhibition poultry lines are also tracked extensively. We raise heritage chicken breeds with the goal of preserving their functionality. All birds must be hearty, healthy, productive, and strong first, and excel in the showroom second.
We focus on dark Brahmas, Shamo, Booted Bantams, and red pyle Moderns. We also have a rotating pen that we use to collect data on other breeds for the Poultry Index on Poultry Pro.
Awards:
Sheep
For sheep, we are building our flock of naturals (blue) and fitted dorsets. All sheep are raised for the show ring, with a focus on sound and correct sheep that have a rack and loin to match. This is the first year with our show program, and we hope to start off with the best stock possible and grow the flock. Most ewes will be retained and leased to show families, while wethers will be sold for show or raised for market.
Awards:
Reba (Scarlett)
-1st Any Other Old Hen @ Houghton County Fair (Youth)
For Sale:
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Service:
Incubation
I will have a single Brinsea incubator that I can incubate extra eggs in (up to 24 chicken eggs or 50 quail eggs at a time). I can incubate either your eggs or ship eggs in to incubate for you.
It will cost $1.50 / egg to incubate, you only pay for what hatches. A 50% non-refundable down payment must be made in advance, and chicks must be picked up within 2 days of hatch or will be surrendered to us and will be sold.
For Sale:
Chicks
I will try to presell most chicks (sometimes I have to count them before they hatch, so you may end up with a few more free chicks in the mix!) as our set-up is focused primarily for adult birds. Down-payments are required for a guarantee, otherwise we will contact everyone on our waitlist as first-come-first-serve.
All chicks will be $3 for day-olds, unsexed. They increase $1/week until they hit maturity or can be feather-sexed.
For Sale:
Eggs
We will have plenty of extra eggs available in June/July and beyond! Most eggs will be washed and sold as eating eggs at farmer's markets and in the area, but message me and I can set some aside for hatching. Hatching eggs will be sold unwashed and turned hourly at room-temperature. Due to the variability of incubators, we cannot guarantee hatch rates.
Eggs are $3.50/dozen for eating, and $10/dozen for hatching.
For sale:
Adults
Adults will very rarely be sold outside of extra roosters. They cannot be pre-ordered as we do not have extra grow out space for them. Any mature bird will be sold sexed, and we do guarantee sex on birds with their bands still intact.
All roosters will be $5, hens will be $8. Any clean bird will automatically be $2 more. Birds are only available for local pickup in Houghton or Hancock, and we cannot take birds back due to biosecurity.
Terms and Conditions for all sales:
Due to many factors outside of our control, Pips 'n Chicks does not offer any guarantee on hatch rates, show quality, plumage, or health of the birds once it leaves our hands. We can insure a healthy bird up until we sell it, and the buyer assumes full responsibility of bird, eggs, or other products after purchase. It is also the buyer's responsibility to confirm the accuracy paperwork and any necessary records provided by Pips 'n Chicks at the time of purchase.
If you run into something unexpected, such as chick death, genetics issues, low hatch rates, or other troubles, please contact us, but know in any and all circumstances outside of missexing*, Pips 'n Chicks is not obligated in any way, shape, or form to refund, replace, or take back any items for biosecurity and legal reasons.
*In the case of an adult, mature bird sold as the opposite sex, a full refund will be issued provided that the legband ID is still intact and matches our sales records.
All sales are final and must be made with the intended owner for our records. Down payments are non-refundable, especially for cases of no-shows and late buyers.
By purchasing any egg, chick, bird, or other product (live or otherwise) from Pips 'n Chicks, the buyer is automatically agreeing to these terms.
I strive to make sure our birds, chicks, and eggs are satisfactory for all of our customers and haven't run into any issues thus far. This is for the worst-case-scenario to protect our hard work and efforts. Thank you to everyone who has purchased birds from Pips 'n Chicks in the past, and for all of your continued support!