Can older hens be lap chickens?

[SnowyClucks]

Pretty much what the title says, can older pullets (13 weeks and older) become lap chickens? I’m going to get 13 week old silkies since vaccinated day olds are not available where I am, which is unfortunate since I’m missing out on that useful time window when they are chicks… If they can be tamed what can I do to hopefully bring up a friendly hen?

 

[nuthatched]

It's more up to the individual bird, just a lot of trust gaining exercise like sitting around them.

 

[Iluveggers]

Pretty much what the title says, can older pullets (13 weeks and older) become lap chickens? I’m going to get 13 week old silkies since vaccinated day olds are not available where I am, which is unfortunate since I’m missing out on that useful time window when they are chicks… If they can be tamed what can I do to hopefully bring up a friendly hen?

You can probably order vaccinated pullet silkie chicks from Meyer if that’s really what you were hoping for!

 

[SnowyClucks]

I live in Australia so i can’t. I’ve decided i’ll get unvaccinated chicks and risk mareks though! Worst case scenario they die then i’ll just get vaccinated ones

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

The vaccine doesn’t prevent Marek’s—it just slows it. So unless you have already had Marek’s in your flock or on your property I wouldn’t stress about getting vaccinated birds. I’ve never gotten vaccinated chicks and never had Marek’s in any of my flocks *knock on wood haha* which isn’t to say it doesn’t/can’t happen but that you need to weigh the risk for yourself and look into what to realistically expect of the vaccine.