By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–It looks as though the brunt of cold weather is in the rearview mirror and Helena True Value Hardware is kicking off spring by selling baby chicks and ducklings for the second consecutive year.

Helena Hardware Manager Daniel Barron believes the selling of the baby chicks and ducklings was a success last year and the store received their first shipment of 100 chicks and 30 ducklings from Murray McMurray Hatchery last week.

“It’s really cool, I really enjoy seeing all the kids come in here and look at them,” said Barron. “That’s the biggest thing that I really enjoy about it here is people bringing their kids up here to look at the baby chicks and the little ducklings and they ask questions and we get to talk about them.”

Helena Hardware is expecting to receive three different shipments of 100 chicks and 30 ducklings that customers can buy over the coming weeks.

The chicks are being sold for $2.75 each and a variety of ducklings are selling for $5.99 each.

“We have a chicken starter kit that has a heat lamp in there, a feeder and it will get you started with a chick starter and you just have to keep them warm and give them plenty of food and water,” said Barron.

The price for a chicken starter kit is $49.99.

The three types of ducklings being sold are Rouen, Khaki Campbell and White Crested ducks. Each breed has something unique about it.

“The Khaki Campbell has eggs that a lot of bakers like to put in cakes because they are really rich,” said Barron.

Most of the city of Helena has an ordinance that does not allow you to have chickens inside city limits and people should check area zoning laws before purchasing a bird.