So you have decided to raise chickens for eggs and are stumped on how to start your flock. This article gives you the different options on how to begin your flock with pros and cons for each way. Hopefully it will help you to find the best way for you to start your chicken owning adventure.
Hatching Eggs
Pros: Hatching eggs that you have bought is a wonderful learning experience to have and moreover satisfying. Not only is it satisfying but the chicks tend to be more friendly when they are older since they have known you since hatch. You also will have a better chance of finding the breed you want available through hatching eggs then as chicks.
Cons: If you’re raising chickens to sell their eggs only then this is probably not the best economical way to start, and unless you have a broody hen you will have to make/buy an incubator which would increase prices. Moreover once you receive them you will have to wait the 21 days for your chicks to hatch rather than having them there on arrival.
Where you can buy some…
Backyard Chickens Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade - Chicken Hatching Eggs
Craigslist
Check your local area
Meyer Hatchery
Murray McMurray Hatchery
and many more!
Chicks
Age: day old – 2 weeks
Pros: Buying chicks seem to be the most popular way to raise your backyard flock. Not only is it reasonably economical but you get to enjoy their peeping antics. If you raise them from chicks they will not be afraid of you and if you are interested you could train them to listen to commands (here is a excellent article on the subject: Advanced Training Techniques)!
Cons: It takes more commitment, time, and energy which you may not be able to give or want to take on. Most hatcheries have a minimum amount of 15 or so you may have to buy more then you want, unless you buy local. In addition you will have to wait around 5-6 months (depending on breed) for them to start laying.
Where you can buy some…
Backyard Chickens Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade
Craigslist
Tractor Supply or local feed store
Local breeders
Murray McMurray Hatchery
Meyer Hatchery
Ideal Poultry
and many more!
Pullets
Age: 4 months - 11 months (depending on breed)
Pros: Starting with chickens that are on the verge of laying could be the option for you. Now an average pullet costs around $14, paying that much may be worth it if you don’t have the time and energy to raise or hatch chicks. Also they will start laying soon after arrival depending on age. It might be the best economical way for you to start your commercial egg business.
Cons: Since they are all ready grown they may not be as friendly as if you had raised them yourself. Another con is since you paid more for it losing it shortly after arrival will cost more than a $2 chick dying that soon, and of course it isn’t as fun in my humble opinion as seeing adorable fluff balls running around in a brooder!
Where you can buy some…
Backyard Chickens Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade Forum
Murray McMurray Hatchery
Meyer Hatchery
Local farm
and many more!
Hens
Age: + 1 year
Pros: Laying hens are yet another preferred option if you wish to start selling your eggs for profit. Also they are laying by the time you get them, which means no waiting! Furthermore you don’t need to pay for feeding/taking care of them for 5-6 months without them giving you eggs!
Cons: Be careful though, I would advise buying hens from someone you know or have been recommended by someone you trust because it is hard to tell the age of a hen when they are past 6 months someone may sell you a 2 year old chicken which is really a 4 year old one that isn’t laying much. They can also cost on average $25 (prices vary depending on age and breed) so you should be willing to spend some money on the bird itself.
Where you can buy some…
Local farm or friends
Craigslist
Backyard Chickens Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade Forum
and many more!
Hatching Eggs
Pros: Hatching eggs that you have bought is a wonderful learning experience to have and moreover satisfying. Not only is it satisfying but the chicks tend to be more friendly when they are older since they have known you since hatch. You also will have a better chance of finding the breed you want available through hatching eggs then as chicks.
Cons: If you’re raising chickens to sell their eggs only then this is probably not the best economical way to start, and unless you have a broody hen you will have to make/buy an incubator which would increase prices. Moreover once you receive them you will have to wait the 21 days for your chicks to hatch rather than having them there on arrival.
Where you can buy some…
Backyard Chickens Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade - Chicken Hatching Eggs
Craigslist
Check your local area
Meyer Hatchery
Murray McMurray Hatchery
and many more!
Chicks
Age: day old – 2 weeks
Pros: Buying chicks seem to be the most popular way to raise your backyard flock. Not only is it reasonably economical but you get to enjoy their peeping antics. If you raise them from chicks they will not be afraid of you and if you are interested you could train them to listen to commands (here is a excellent article on the subject: Advanced Training Techniques)!
Cons: It takes more commitment, time, and energy which you may not be able to give or want to take on. Most hatcheries have a minimum amount of 15 or so you may have to buy more then you want, unless you buy local. In addition you will have to wait around 5-6 months (depending on breed) for them to start laying.
Where you can buy some…
Backyard Chickens Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade
Craigslist
Tractor Supply or local feed store
Local breeders
Murray McMurray Hatchery
Meyer Hatchery
Ideal Poultry
and many more!
Pullets
Age: 4 months - 11 months (depending on breed)
Pros: Starting with chickens that are on the verge of laying could be the option for you. Now an average pullet costs around $14, paying that much may be worth it if you don’t have the time and energy to raise or hatch chicks. Also they will start laying soon after arrival depending on age. It might be the best economical way for you to start your commercial egg business.
Cons: Since they are all ready grown they may not be as friendly as if you had raised them yourself. Another con is since you paid more for it losing it shortly after arrival will cost more than a $2 chick dying that soon, and of course it isn’t as fun in my humble opinion as seeing adorable fluff balls running around in a brooder!
Where you can buy some…
Backyard Chickens Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade Forum
Murray McMurray Hatchery
Meyer Hatchery
Local farm
and many more!
Hens
Age: + 1 year
Pros: Laying hens are yet another preferred option if you wish to start selling your eggs for profit. Also they are laying by the time you get them, which means no waiting! Furthermore you don’t need to pay for feeding/taking care of them for 5-6 months without them giving you eggs!
Cons: Be careful though, I would advise buying hens from someone you know or have been recommended by someone you trust because it is hard to tell the age of a hen when they are past 6 months someone may sell you a 2 year old chicken which is really a 4 year old one that isn’t laying much. They can also cost on average $25 (prices vary depending on age and breed) so you should be willing to spend some money on the bird itself.
Where you can buy some…
Local farm or friends
Craigslist
Backyard Chickens Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade Forum
and many more!
