buy chicks or grown chickens?

[goobhen]

I have ordered 25 sexed day old chicks, then MM hatchery was running a special on Red Star pullets I got six of them. I would be afraid to buy adult hens, because knowing my luck they would be past laying age!!

 

[Beth G.]

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[kathyinmo]

It depends on what you are after. Do you want breeders that meet the SOP? If so, I would find one of the better breeders that doesn't sell culls, only quality, and start with a good trio or more. Remember, only about 10% of even the best breeders' stock produces "keepers." Buy a dozen eggs from the best, and you are lucky if you get one or two quality breeders, IF ALL the eggs hatch!

 

[LiLRedCV]

I faced this same dilemma when I was aiming to get chickens. Solution? Got the full grown hens first 'cuz I wanted the instant egg-ratification. Wasn't sure exactly how old they were tho'. Later that summer, I got some pullets so that when the older gals started to wane on the egg laying due to old age, they'd be able to step into the nests to take their place... and then I got baby chicks this past spring!

BUT space for them to free-range is not an issue for us either as we have 2-acres. You may not have that option.

If you get chicks now? You'll have an opportunity to tame them down to what you want since they'll be cooped up and probably under heat most all winter long. That is something to think about tho'... with the weather changing to colder, do you have the proper housing for baby chicks? They'll have to be snug and cozy and on heat, whereas pullets or actual laying hens won't.

 

[yinepu]

Beth G. :

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[Peaches Lee]

From my experience, I will never get grown/older chickens again. Mine were just like Illia said, fearful, skittish, and carrying disease. I lucked out that it was cocci and my other flock didn't catch it. But these birds cannot be handled, so if they have to be touched because of injury or needing to administer health products-forget it. It was a stressful nightmare. They are finally not freaking out flying around the coop when I feed/water them. I did get them into a better situation though.

Anyway, for me, it will only ever be chicks.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I've done all three, eggs, chicks and point of lay pullets. Started with chicks then purchased a few Point Of Lay that fall to ensure enough eggs (yup, way more eggs than predicted!) and hatched this spring resulting in needing more chicks as I'm a terrible hatcher...one made it.

It's all on need at the time as to what you get. For first time person who is trying out chickens Point Of Lay pullets is the cheapest way to go, you can get them for 10 to $15 each and to raise a $2 chick to 20 weeks cost near $20. So for less investment and quick turn around of eggs you find out if your a chicken person or not.

 

[BigIslandChicks]

chicks!!

but truly depends on your situation

 

[dainerra]

I wait until a few months after the feed stores start selling chicks then check the paper. I can get POL pullets ranging from free to $5. People buy them for their kids and then find out that chicks are smelly and eat a lot. And the noise.

One woman was getting rid of them because they weren't cute anymore. I see her phone number in the paper at least a couple times a year. She buys the cute fluffy chicks and then gets rid of them once they are about 8 weeks old.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I personally, would rather buy chicks.

Pro's of buying chicks:
-They are cheaper to buy then a full-grown bird.
-You get to know them better/bond with them.
-You don't have to worry about bringing disease to your current flock.

Con's of buying chicks:
-They require a heat lamp and a brooder for their first few weeks.
-You have to wait longer for them to mature and lay eggs.

Pro's of buying Grown Birds:
-They are already grown therefore don't require a heat lamp.
-You don't have to wait for them to lay eggs.

Con's of buying Grown Birds:
-You can't bond with them as well. Therefore they may be more skittish.
-They tend to be more expensive then a chick.
-You shouldn't buy one if you already have a flock of birds as they will/can bring diseases to your current flock. Because of this you have to quarentine them.