Can't decide...baby chicks or pullets...want them to be socialized but afraid of getting a roo!

[My Three Chicks]

I am going to be adding 3 chicks to my small flock of 3 almost 2-year olds this spring. I am so excited! This is my first flock and I am so in love with them and love being a chicken mom.

My dilemma is this...I don't know if I should get baby chicks or some young pullets. I would love to imprint on them early since I raise them primarily as pets. I know the younger you get them the better chances that they'll be social and comfortable with you. But I am so scared of getting an accidental roo like I did in my first flock even though they were sexed as female. That would be my biggest concern and issue with getting baby chicks.
So I was thinking about getting maybe 6 - 10 week olds young pullets. By then most of them would start showing some roo characteristics. But then I am losing the opportunity to hand-raise them from the beginning and they probably won't be as social, comfortable, docile, etc., right?

Looking for some advice and suggestions.

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Hello! You could get some sort of auto sexing breed?

 

[My Three Chicks]

Hello! You could get some sort of auto sexing breed?

Yes I've been looking into that too. But there are very limited options there and I know that there is still a chance of a roo. But there always is until they lay right!?

 

[LizzzyJo]

I wouldn't get older chicks if you're friendly with your flock. They are generally basket cases - and they could bring diseases into your flock that you can never get rid of. I would do autosexing. Crested Cream Legbars are amazing!

 

[Sally PB]

But there are very limited options there and I know that there is still a chance of a roo.

Look into Bielefelders. It's obvious at hatch what gender they are.

What they are NOT is cheap and plentiful. There might be someone out by you who has them. Google the breed; a list of hatcheries will give you an idea of how much they and how close.

 

[HawkHillFarms]

I am going to be adding 3 chicks to my small flock of 3 almost 2-year olds this spring. I am so excited! This is my first flock and I am so in love with them and love being a chicken mom.

My dilemma is this...I don't know if I should get baby chicks or some young pullets. I would love to imprint on them early since I raise them primarily as pets. I know the younger you get them the better chances that they'll be social and comfortable with you. But I am so scared of getting an accidental roo like I did in my first flock even though they were sexed as female. That would be my biggest concern and issue with getting baby chicks.
So I was thinking about getting maybe 6 - 10 week olds young pullets. By then most of them would start showing some roo characteristics. But then I am losing the opportunity to hand-raise them from the beginning and they probably won't be as social, comfortable, docile, etc., right?

Looking for some advice and suggestions.

Totally understand. We got 6 chicks thinking we got all hens and lo and behold...we got a Roo alright. He is kind of a jerk but we like having him around to protect the girls. He's not too mean to them but he sure doesn't like us. LOL. Thought about having him processed but he's only doing what comes naturally and he's looks after the hens so we are keeping him around. We just take the broom with us in the run and hold it out to keep him at bay Ha Ha

 

[SandyRiverChick]

The only time that I"ve ordered started pullets in order to avoid getting a roo in that breed (Lav Orpington,) take a look at my Avator, my pullet and cockerel. I was shocked because I paid so much extra money for "started pullets," not chicks and got a roo anyway. Just had to caution you that this can happen. Granted LO are harder to sex....

 

[My Three Chicks]

Totally understand. We got 6 chicks thinking we got all hens and lo and behold...we got a Roo alright. He is kind of a jerk but we like having him around to protect the girls. He's not too mean to them but he sure doesn't like us. LOL. Thought about having him processed but he's only doing what comes naturally and he's looks after the hens so we are keeping him around. We just take the broom with us in the run and hold it out to keep him at bay Ha Ha

Aw I would love to have a roo. My original roo was the sweetest. He's in my profile pic sitting on my head before he got too big then he would just cuddle in my lap. But unfortunately they are not allowed where I live. And I get attached very quickly so can't endure the heartbreak of another accidental roo.

 

[My Three Chicks]

Yeah. It’s just sort of a gamble with the older birds/chicks. If you’re raising them to sell you take care of them well, but don’t necessarily take the time to tame them. I’ve raised and sold myself and I am kind to the birds to sell, but I don’t coddle them like those I’m keeping.

Makes total sense

 

[My Three Chicks]

Oh I see you're in Seattle. Likely you don't want to drive to Portland but in Gresham, Burn's Feed Store has "Fran the chicken Lady" that sexes all the chicks. She has been featured on local news several times as she's well known for always getting it right, chicken expert in general. If you call Burns and ask if they know of a local feed store in Seattle with someone like Fran, they just might! I've been doing this a long time, add chicks every year and Fran has NEVER gotten it wrong. I have many different breeds. The only time I got it wrong was when I went against her advice and got the 2 that I mentioned previously (in my Avatar,) they did turn out to be lovely and the cockerel as fairly nice but I traded him eventually to someone who breeds.

Thanks for the information! Just looked up Burn's they have a bunch of breeds. Including the Mottled Java which isn't easy to find and I'd love to have another one...that's what my little roo was. Your avatar birdies are beautiful!