Baby Chicks or Older?

[LindseyC]

We ordered an electric mama butt. I hope this isn't a bad choice. Have any of you heard anything about using these?

 

[Spartan22]

I think it’s totally up to you, we all get to start as first timers. Where is your comfort level? How much valuable time you can devote to them? Do you want to raise these cutsie butts out of their cuteness or just have these beautiful feathered creatures popping eggs for your breakfast?

In my case, I have never had the chance to overthink or plan to be chicken owner. That could have been a plus or a disadvantage, depends on your personality. But since I grew up with thought process that whatever I started I finish them, and solve the problem and not give up so soon it worked for me.

So I had the opportunity to raised 10 two day old chicks on totally impulse buy from a feed store when I was picking up dog food. Never been near live chicken before growing up from a big city. I had to do an overdrive learning about chicks and chicken nutrition and coops and poops and smell and sanitation. The chicks stayed in our laundry for a week and went to live in our garage for another couple of months while I build the coop on weekends.

To make the story short 5 years later, I will only raise chicken from a day old or so, been adding chicks every year, as matter of fact brooding another group of chicks in my laundry since yesterday. Less problems with diseases, and formed undesirable habits. I have enjoyed raising chicks and training them the way it’s easy for my lifestyle. My chickens are not pets but for eggs, they are taken care of properly and well kept, beautiful plumage and clean housing without meds, and hormones that I know of since I raised them and yet they are also treated like pets since I still have some 5 year olds from the original chicks I purchased.

Hope this kind of help you and good luck.

 

[Spartan22]

We ordered an electric mama butt. I hope this isn't a bad choice. Have any of you heard anything about using these?
View attachment 1310897

Some of my friends love it some hate it, so personal preference.

 

[PachecoPeeps]

We ordered an electric mama butt. I hope this isn't a bad choice. Have any of you heard anything about using these?
View attachment 1310897

This year is my first batch of chicks using the plate and I love it. Just be aware that it won't take long for your chicks to start jumping on top of it and trying to jump out of the brooder. Also put some press and seal on the top. It makes cleaning a lot easier.

 

[PachecoPeeps]

Hello Everyone!

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of wonderful information I have found in this forum. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge! It has been incredibly helpful.

My question is: being it is my first time raising chickens (for eggs), would it be better for me to get them as chicks or as pullet (did I use the term correctly?). To be completely honest I'm terrified of raising the chicks right now but I've been told it's better to get them as babies. I'm also unsure of where I would put the brooder at the moment. If I got older birds in a few weeks, I could easily put them in the coop.

I guess my concern (aside from the brooder placement and the $ to set it up) is that I won't have a "bond" with them if I get them older instead of chicks. I'm trying to get all sides to hopefully make an easier decision. I want to do this correctly.

Thank you for your help!

I prefer getting chicks because they do tend to be nicer and easier to handle. When I go outside my hens run to me and follow me around. I have never had started pullets but I did let a broody raise chicks once and those are the only hens I have now that avoid me. Even after 1.5 years. Hand raising makes them more attached to you. This can be a lifesaver too if you ever need to be really hands on with your hens.

 

[LindseyC]

Some of my friends love it some hate it, so personal preference.

This year is my first batch of chicks using the plate and I love it. Just be aware that it won't take long for your chicks to start jumping on top of it and trying to jump out of the brooder. Also put some press and seal on the top. It makes cleaning a lot easier.

Thank you for the input! And great idea for the press and seal. We will definitely have a screen to keep the little buggers inside.

 

[mellieandthepastries]

So after a lot of thought and talk with my husband, we’ve decided to go with starter pullets. The more I think about raising chicks, the more anxiety it gives me. My housemates are also concerned about the chicks being in the house as well so i need to respect that too. The idea of going with starter pullets makes me feel more calm and more ready. Maybe next year after having chickens for a year I’ll feel much more comfortable getting chicks. Thank you so much for your input everyone! I really appreciate it!

 

[Blooie]

I love it when folks are given options, listen carefully, then make a decision based on what's right for them in their circumstances and with their personal comfort zones in mind! You'll find you'll be much happier because you didn't feel pressured into anything! Welcome to BYC!

Just for future reference, (and because chicken math is REAL!) raising chicks doesn't have to be hard! They aren't half as delicate as we think! In fact, you can raise them right outside in the coop from the start and still have friendly chickens, I promise! I do it all the time! Solves the hovering-over-them problem, solves the natural day/night cycles hassles, no chick dust in the house, and as a bonus when they are raised out with the adults, you can have total and peaceful integration and have them off all heat at 4 weeks old! Now, I'm not pressuring - just informing!

Again, welcome to BYC...glad to have you!

 

[Acre4Me]

So after a lot of thought and talk with my husband, we’ve decided to go with starter pullets. The more I think about raising chicks, the more anxiety it gives me. My housemates are also concerned about the chicks being in the house as well so i need to respect that too. The idea of going with starter pullets makes me feel more calm and more ready. Maybe next year after having chickens for a year I’ll feel much more comfortable getting chicks. Thank you so much for your input everyone! I really appreciate it!

Good luck! I was just going to add my opinion (get started pullets), when I read your decision. I’ve got chicks (3.5 weeks old) purchased at hatchery day of hatch. It will be 4-5 months before we will see eggs at a minimum (we have some leghorns which tend to begin laying early) so you will get birds then eggs in short succession. I have an 11 yo , so having chicks is a good experience for her. I think you’ll bond just fine with the started pullets. Time, attention and treats (and predictable routine) will aid you in bonding with them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Both chickens raised from tiny chicks and from started pullets can be friendly, depends on how much time you spend with them and how you handle them. The ones raised from chickhood just seem a little more friendly and a little easier to handle. But if it's important to get a jump start on eggs, or you want to make 100% sure you get hens (without sex linked breeds), or you just don't feel like you're ready for the extra level of care that chicks require over pullets, then started pullets are a perfectly fine choice.