Advice for a newbie: Chicks or Pullets?

[rosemarythyme]

Oh well; I’m sure I’ll be able to find birds that I like just as much in a couple months. I’ve still got a lot to learn; better to be patient and learn what I can rather than be impulsive and make a mistake, right?

I applaud your restraint. Best advice I can give is build the coop first, no matter if you get chicks or pullets! You'll still probably need tol make changes or improvements after that point, but as long as the basic structure is there the birds will be safe and have a home to settle into, and it's a lot less hassle on you too because you won't have to worry about trying to rush to cobble something together.

 

[aart]

I applaud your restraint. Best advice I can give is build the coop first, no matter if you get chicks or pullets!

Ditto All Dat^^^

Biggest con to getting older birds is that they can bring pests and disease with them,
biggest mistake I made was starting with older birds instead of chicks.

 

[bobbi-j]

Agree with Rosemarythyme and Aart - build the coop first, and make it bigger than you think you’ll need.

As far as chicks or started pullets, there are some things to consider. Are you allowed roosters where you live? Getting sexed chicks is not a guarantee that you will only get pullets. If you ended up with a cockerel, what would you do with it if you can’t keep it? If you can’t keep a rooster, but would become too attached to get rid of one, I’d suggest started pullets, and don’t get them until they’re definitely old enough to tell the difference.

 

[LythrumSalicaria]

Agree with Rosemarythyme and Aart - build the coop first, and make it bigger than you think you’ll need.

As far as chicks or started pullets, there are some things to consider. Are you allowed roosters where you live? Getting sexed chicks is not a guarantee that you will only get pullets. If you ended up with a cockerel, what would you do with it if you can’t keep it? If you can’t keep a rooster, but would become too attached to get rid of one, I’d suggest started pullets, and don’t get them until they’re definitely old enough to tell the difference.

I live on a big farm in the middle of nowhere; a rooster won’t be a problem. Having a rooster in the flock is actually part of my plan; I want to have one to help protect the girls when they’re free-ranging.

They will be supervised while they’re out of their run because there are a lot of predators around, but I’d feel a little better knowing that there’s a cockerel on the job as well. I know they can be ornery little buggers and come with their own set of challenges, but I feel like having one would be worth the extra hassle...and the potential loss of sleep!

 

[birdlover2]

I agree with bobbi-j, aart, and rosemarythyme, building the coop first is defininately the best option.

 

[LythrumSalicaria]

I agree with bobbi-j, aart, and rosemarythyme, building the coop first is defininately the best option.

Not to worry - I will. From what I’ve been reading on here I’ve seen several people say that building a coop often takes longer than anticipated, and I certainly don’t want Chickens living in my porch all summer long.

Worst comes to worst if I can’t find any Pullets that I like once the coop is built I can always wait until the following spring to get them. In the mean time I’d have lots of time to get the coop just the way I want it and keep on reading and learning from the people here.

 

[Ribh]

With planning ahead in mind...when it comes to the coop, go BIGGER! Chicken math is real. When you bring home those first ones you'll think you have enough. Then the next year rolls around and you figure a few more won't hurt. When you pick up those few a couple more will catch your eye and somehow come home with you too.

I'll never forget the words that changed my life... "Ooh what are those?" Went for four and came home with six.

Ooooo...know that feeling so well!

 

[Ribh]

Build the coop! I always do pullets. Firstly I know exactly what I'm getting & that the birds are healthy. Secondly I know I will be getting eggs real soon. Thirdly food is the way to any chicken's heart. Bribe them with a few treats & they will soon be yours!

 

[LythrumSalicaria]

I’ve priced out materials and have a rough plan in mind for my coop. Once the snow melts a bit more I can take measurements and do some fine-tuning.

The old tool shed I’m planning to convert is 8x4; I’m going to tear down the back wall to add another 4-8 feet, which will make it either 8x8 or 8x12, but I need to save room to add a run. For that I’m going to put part of the run at the side of the coop and wrap the rest around the back.

I should be able to squeeze in about 150 square feet for the run; probably more. There’s just an old latrine further up the hill that I need to avoid. I could tear it down but I can’t do much about the poop pit underneath, and I wouldn’t want anybody (anybirdy? ) to fall in.

There are also a cluster of sumac bushes a few feet to the left of the future coop to deal with; they’ll be cut down in the building process, but sumac is stubborn and I don’t want any shoots coming up in the run. As long as I don’t build the run directly over the cut bushes and keep on top of cutting back any new growth, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Oh look...I wrote a novel. Forgive my rambling. I’m just kinda excited about this. When I get my plans drawn up I’ll post a thread about it along with pictures to get opinions and suggestions. Thanks again for the advice, everyone. I’m grateful.

 

[aart]

and I wouldn’t want anybody (anybirdy? ) to fall in

When I get my plans drawn up I’ll post a thread about it along with pictures to get opinions and suggestions.

Would love to see them.... and pics of the existing shed!

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!