For the Reporter

Coastal Farm & Ranch is giving away 6,000 baby chicks throughout its dozen Northwest stores beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Locally, 500 baby chicks will be given away at Coastalʼs Auburn store, 1425 Supermall Way. “This is an opportunity for hands-on learning by kids,” said Coastal Farm & Ranch owner Buzz Wheeler. “With the help of their parents, kids can raise and take care of a baby chick, feed it and watch it grow because of their hard work. Weʼre excited about spring and thereʼs nothing cuter than a bunch of baby chicks running around. Kids love them.”The Northwest hatched pullets will be delivered to the stores from Dunlap Hatchery in Caldwell, Idaho.

This week the public is invited to see and hear the chicks at every Coastal store leading up to Saturdayʼs giveaway.”All we ask is that you purchase 25 pounds of chick starter,” Wheeler said. “This should feed a baby chick until about 6 weeks of age.”

To serve as many people as possible, there is a limit of five chicks per household while supplies last.