Are baby chicks my only options?

[PotterWatch]

Quote:
Any time you buy chicks that old from a hatchery they are usually de-beaked. Something to consider.

True! I didn't think of that it does say on their website that they come with their beaks trimmed...

 

[Sinfonian]

I'd be concerned buying any laying hens for fear they may be 3 years old and done. You can't tell a hens age once it's mature, especially us newbies. Careful when buying hens is all I wanted to say. Good luck!

 

[CarolinaKen]

Quote:
this is very true. You don't want to end up with someone else's problem. there are hatcheries that sell 17-18 week pullets. meyers has some production breeds; white leghorn and sex link pullets.

This is sort of what I was expecting but always nice to get some reinforcement from those who know what they are talking about. I think I will hold off on the "older chick" craigslist approach for now... Thanks folks!

 

[Caddy-Corner-Chick]

I have had good luck with Craigslist , I bought chicks that were around 6 weeks old and etc. Also I know of someone here local who sells started pullets.

Are you in Florida by any chance?

 

[speckledhen]

You should be aware that so much disease is passed around from flea market or Craigslist birds--never take a bird home that has any discharge from any orifice or looks ratty. You may be able to find healthy chickens from those sources, but you're just as likely to find birds who are carriers of diseases due to the inexperience/ignorance/unethical attitude of the owners.

If you're starting out fresh, it would be in your best interests to buy started chicks from a hatchery or from a very reputable breeder with references. I'm dead serious about that. I think raising babies is a good way to really learn how chickens interact, develop their personalities, etc. I never buy chicks or started birds from anyone. I think chicks are the best way to learn, really, JMHO. I'm sure some think I'm nuts, but almost every horror story here seems to involve "got this bird at a flea market".

 

[Caddy-Corner-Chick]

That is a very good point Speckled Hen

 

[galadtomeetya]

You will probably enjoy getting the chicks more. I've done it both ways, and had a lot better experience with the day-olds than the started pullets. I free range mine, and it was easier for me to teach the babies the routine. And, I was able to desensitize my dogs with the chicks much easier than with the older birds (for some reason, they didn't appreciate the rottweilers very much... go figure!). That being said, my craigslist birds came from a local breeder and were healthy and beautiful birds. If you do choose to get started pullets, make sure you do your research and get what you are paying for in terms of age, breed, and health. Good luck!

 

[Myabcs3]

As a fairly newbie to the poultry world, I will echo the sentiment concerning the learning process with chicks. Starting with chicks, was helpful for my family as I think as the chicks matured, our knowledge matured. Now, I did purchase point of lay pullets from a fellow BYCer in my area. Absolutely beautiful birds,not hatchery stock and I made a knowledgeable contact/friend in the process. I think most BYCers are honest, helpful folks. You might see if there is a thread on BYC for your area and put out there that you are interested in buying pullets/cockerels. You will save on shipping, and I think you can get better birds.

Good luck.

 

[babyrnlc]

We got two hens from a friend (somewhere between 9mon and a year), that way we have some eggs now (which they lay every day). Then we got 6 week old chicks (2 pullets), then we got 1 week old chicks, 5, we want to keep two hens. So we will end up with 6 hens. BUT we get to play with babies, and not have to wait for the eggs.

 

[AnaD]

We got fully feathered chicks on creigslist that will start laying in late may or june. It was nice because they went straight out to the coop. The lady we got them from had a very clean property with healthy looking animals. We would not have gotten chickens from her if anything about her was suspicious or questionable. Take a look at CL. It is possible to get healthy adolecent pullets and skip the pullet/roo mix ups that are so common.
Good luck!