Baby Chicks versus Juvenilles to start flock

[MEchickens]

Fancynancy. I am no expert by any means, but I had a Mareks disease scare this week and with everything I read, your chances for bringing in diseases like mareks or Newcastle and viral infections is greatly reduced with day old chicks from a healthy and reputable hatchery. The older the bird, I understand that the chances if diseases coming into your flock and your coop and grounds is much more. Again, I am no expert. Would some of the more seasoned chicken folks agree?

 

[fancynancycoop]

I so appreciate you input MEchickens..And yes I too would love more input from the "more seasoned chicken folks". We want to start our flock the right way...
Question,
How did you know you had a Mareks disease scare and what did or do you do about it?

 

[MEchickens]

I thought I had a Mareks scare with a hen showing some leg issues. It definitely turned out to not be Mareks, but if it was, my flock and grounds would be contaminated forever. (From what I understand) The scare really opened my eyes to all of the poultry diseases and that proper bio security and quality birds are really important. Luckily, there are so many wonderful and experienced folks on here that have so much knowledge.
Plenty of folks start with pullets and have great luck. Cost would always deter me. Also, I personally would never buy a local bird off craigslist because you just never really know if they came from a disease free environment. If you do go with pullets, I would recommend murray mcmurray. I had great luck with my juvenile birds ordered from there last spring. All were vaccinated for mareks and Newcastle.

 

[Suzie]

If you do not want a Rooster then you will need to get older chicks as it is impossible to tell what sex they are when they are very young...only buy from a reputable breeder and insist that the chickens are vaccinated against Mareks....

Good luck and enjoy them!

 

[dekel18042]

You can get day old sexed chicks shipped from a hatchery (90-95% accuracy guaranteed.) Or if you get sex links or an auto sexing breed, you can tell right away.
I've gotten everything from hatching eggs all the way up to adults and have been pleased. Different times, different reasons.

 

[3riverschick]

I'm a newbie in this backyard chicken raising stuff. Would you recommend starting with chicks or seeing if I can find some juvenilles for I'm desiring to do chickens for egg laying?

Any advice would be great. I'm converting a 8 by 12 lofted barn shed into coop

Definitely the started birds. You can see what you are getting. The breeder has time to cull at least once for quality. Started birds are more forgiving of novice mistakes. You can also augment your flock with some retired breeder birds who have a season or two left in them. They will not be culls, just birds the breeder doesn't need anymore because they have children from them. A great way to start hatching with the rest of us this spring while your started birds are growing out. What is your breed?
Best,
Karen

 

[mom of silkies]

I agree you should start with chicks, it's much better!