best age to get chicks for a newbe

[irish44395]

I am still deciding it I want to start keeping chickens . can you buy chick that are ready to put in the coop,or is it better to bet baby
Thanks

 

[Buffbrahmasforever]

You can get either depends on you. If you go with the started pullets route you can guarantee you only get girls and you spend less money because they are at laying age. But they are more likely to be skittish and less friendly than hand raised. If you go the chicks route you can still guarantee you get all pullets if you get sex-links and they will be more friendly than pullets at laying age, but it costs more to go this route because you have to feed them form chick age.

I would suggest you go the chicks route if you are looking for pets and the pullet route if you are looking for layers.

 

[irish44395]

Thanks that helped a lots , I believe my wife is going to want friendly birds ,

 

[aart]

But they are more likely to be skittish and less friendly than hand raised.

..and you risk bringing in pests and disease, unless you buy from a hatchery.

but it costs more to go this route because you have to feed them form chick age.

...and you have to set up a heat source for day old chicks, for the first 4-5 weeks.

 

[Sammi_0411]

As these lovely people said if you get them 18 weeks point of lay u know they all pullets if you dont want roosters. Chicks could turn out to all be roos.... at same time handing rearing them at young age they be less skittish xxx