Advice for a newbie: Chicks or Pullets?

[LythrumSalicaria]

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!
View attachment 1681335

All done!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your set up sounds like it will work out nicely. 8x4 is a pretty decent size for a small flock, but expansion is a great option if you think chicken math might get to you. Even if you end up building bigger than you need, the extra space helps during cold/wet spells, or it can be used for storage, a future brooding area, etc.

Oh, and on your original question, I've only ever done chicks, technically. They're just so cute and not nearly as much work as other baby animals since they grow up so fast and are mostly self sufficient. I did get a couple started pullets to add to my first batch of chicks (that were the same age as the chicks I had) but now that they're adults I can't say the started pullets were noticeably less friendly or harder to handle than the others, since you mentioned you'd be fine with birds that accepted basic handling.

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.

Actually I think someone on here had some chicks tumble into a septic inlet or something... so as crazy as it sounds, it can happen! Chickens are pretty darn good at finding their way into trouble.

 

[TomZilla43]

First of all, . That's really a personal choice, I got pullets when I 1st got chickens and the 2nd time I got chicks. That being said going forward I think I will probably always do chicks in the future, I enjoy the process of seeing them grow. I'm in suburbia and one of my chicks wound up being a cockerel so I had to deal with that which is a downside to that method. There's my 2 cents.
Anyhoo best of luck with your chooks, sounds like you have a solid plan and the room necessary make it all come together

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

This article may be helpful. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...hicks-or-started-pullets—the-pros-cons.73742/

 

[LythrumSalicaria]

This article may be helpful. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...hicks-or-started-pullets—the-pros-cons.73742/

Thank you! I’m going to give that a read right now.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm a newbie, relatively speaking. I had the same conundrum - chicks or pullets? I went with chicks, and I loved every second of it! I am glad I went with chicks. I definitely bonded with them. They are lap chickens now! They follow me wherever I go. I thought they only liked me for treats, but nope. They just seem to like me. I held them every day, and the little fuzzballs slept in my lap. I love them dearly!

I was worried, too, about killing/hurting them, but they were fine. I read all about the temps you are supposed to ensure during their first weeks, and thought it would be too difficult. But I read several articles on BYC about the mama heating pad, and that made all the difference. I made one like several people on this board did and had zero problems. I put them outside earlier than suggested (with the MHP, of course). They were fine. I found them to be MUCH easier to raise than I thought.

I also have an 8x4 for my 4 girls. I just rearranged things to make it roomier for the 3 bantam I ordered to arrive in June! Chicken math is REAL! Plan for it!

 

[LythrumSalicaria]

I’ve just realized that it’s going to be a somewhat costly venture to convert the shed to a coop and build the run the way I want it. With how much I make in a month (Spoiler Alert: It ain’t much. ) I doubt I would be able to finish the project before Autumn.

What I’m thinking I’ll do instead is start with a small pre-fab backyard coop. TSC has a nice one on clearance that I can afford to buy right now. I’ll start out with just 4 or 5 chickens and save up money for the materials I need, and by next spring I’ll have more than enough money saved up to build the coop that I really want.

Things will work out a lot better this way, I think. I can test the waters to make sure I enjoy keeping chickens as much as I think I will; though the chances that I won’t are slim. Once I get the big coop built I can always sell the smaller one.

 

[JurassicBawk]

What pre-fab are you looking at that TSC has? I can't think of a single one that I've seen there that will actually hold 4-5 chickens. I've been looking at them since I may need a temporary home for mine if I have to move my coop (it's under my back deck and we may be replacing the deck at some point) but they all look tiny.

They may be marked big enough for plenty of chickens, but that's not realistic once you look at the actual specs/room. Standard accepted space requirements are 4 sq ft per chicken inside the coop/house part and 10 sq ft/bird in the run. I've got 4 Easter Eggers, 2 Polish bantam, and 1 tiny OEGB with a 4x4 raised house in a fortified 10x10 dog pen, and wish they had more room. I had the house built to fit 4 large birds, then later rescued the 3 bantams. Most of the birds sleep on top of the house unless it's super cold or wet, so I don't worry about it, but know there's no way I can add more at this point.

 

[aart]

What I’m thinking I’ll do instead is start with a small pre-fab backyard coop. TSC has a nice one on clearance that I can afford to buy right now. I’ll start out with just 4 or 5 chickens and save up money for the materials I need, and by next spring I’ll have more than enough money saved up to build the coop that I really want.

Not a bad way to start, as long as you know going in it won't work for long term...
...and will be difficult to manage in harsh winter weather.
Just know that the number of birds suggested on the coop box is not accurate.
The tiny dollhouse coops can be great for later down the road as broody/isolation coops.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

You can always do things slowly. As long as they are safe, have a dry space, and draft free winter coop they will be fine. I recently moved and couldn't take my birds at first. What I had planned on using as a coop was in way worse shape then I thought. I got it to the point that they are safe inside. They have a run but it's not as predator resistant as I'd like. I let them out in good weather and keep a close eye. As soon as its warm enough I'll be working on chicken city.
Most things in the coop are free or cheap. I have plastic storage totes for nest boxes. The floor is a few free pallets and some free plywood. Roosts are cut down trees and large branches.
I'm not saying don't go with a TSC ready made but like other have stated buyer beware.