Best age to purchase egg layers?

[Chicnz]

Yes, @Chicnz and @Down Under
Tho I can tell from your screen names where you are.....

It's best to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
Course some folks don't pay attention to the location either.
View attachment 3982119

Yes, @Chicnz and @Down Under
Tho I can tell from your screen names where you are.....

It's best to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
Course some folks don't pay attention to the location either.
View attachment 3982119

I’m so sorry, I wasn’t intending my comment to be taken any other way than a “wow, I wish ours were that price ” kind of thing. I will add my location though. Thank you for the tip

 

[Muser]

Another factor is cost. Day-old chicks may be obtained for as little as a few dollars per bird, while POL pullets generally are priced closer to $25/bird and up, never mind cost of shipping.

I've raised a few chicks and their feed alone to get them to point of lay would probably make the cost of a POL negligable. The difference would be covered in chick crumb/growers feed over the time I think

I've bought two hens at POL. Buying at POL does mean you can start straight on Layers feed.

It's a good point to make though, there is a price difference for sure!

 

[LeucadiaCoop]

We clearly must not be in the same country just basing on pricing. Chicks are around $15 and a POL is $40+ and shipping isn’t even an option here it’s pick up. I’m a little jealous

Pricing is similar for me too. And POL are impossible to find right now.

 

[Down Under]

Pricing is similar for me too. And POL are impossible to find right now.

I don't know about elsewhere but here POL are usually about 3 to 4 months old meaning that they wont actually lay for a month or two after you get them. Breeding season starts at the end of winter/start of spring so it is usually around the start of summer that you will see POL for sale.

 

[LeucadiaCoop]

I don't know about elsewhere but here POL are usually about 3 to 4 months old meaning that they wont actually lay for a month or two after you get them. Breeding season starts at the end of winter/start of spring so it is usually around the start of summer that you will see POL for sale.

Good to know! I’m very new to this

 

[Bawkbok]

I’ve tried introducing a few different ways and straight in head first isn’t good for anyone

We had to go with this method recently for myriad reasons - one of which was they arrived much sooner than expected and our backup coop was not ready and on on the reasons went.
While the first week was sheer chaos and required an enormous amount of time on my part, it worked successfully for us. They were young pullets at 16 weeks of age. It is a risk for bio security reasons for sure but my assessment of them was they were healthy and vivacious and physically checked out so I HAD to jump in head first.
We don't expect eggs yet for a couple of months but they've had time to acclimate to the flock, the environment, dogs, climate, schedules, etc. This all takes time. By the time they start laying at around 8-9 months, they will be well adjusted to everything.