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

 

[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....

 

[SandyRiverChick]

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.

 

[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!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

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!

Awe thanks! It takes alot of going back n forth to the schedule of each breed but I make sure to pic breeds arriving same time only so that I don't stagger chicks (I saw a thread with someone planning to do that.) It's worth it and they let you reserve what you want. Burn's is great if you find yourself in this area. I used to have a house in Maple Valley so I know the drive well!

 

[bhaugh]

Have you considered CL? I just moved from Wa and there was a woman who sold really nice Lav Orpingtons I think she lived in Marysville. I found her on CL for Snohomish Co. There is also a farm I think in Fall City that sells chicks.

 

[Chickenwithnobrim]

Hey im getting my first chicks tomorrow to add to my flock of 2. Im trying to tell myself that im raising 3 nice roosters for somebody, and if i get hens its a bonus. That way, i can love on em and try to tame them but can accept it if they go. Thats the THEORY anyways. Watch me cry in a few months.

 

[end of the road farm]

I have gotten day old chicks from Ideal hatchery and Murray McMurray along with a place I can't even remember the name of it's been so long ago, sexed, and no males mixed in. One time New Hampshire Reds, and the other 2 times, Black Australorps. And, o course there's always sex links. I don't think nobody, even Tractor Supply would sell 3. Places I've looked at about shipping are requiring minimum 15, some places more than that.

 

[aynesidea]

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.

I did that with mixed results, barred rock, white and buff orps were really sweet, rir and australorp not so much. But they were all pullets!!!

 

[My Three Chicks]

I did that with mixed results, barred rock, white and buff orps were really sweet, rir and australorp not so much. But they were all pullets!!!

I ended up deciding to raise them from chicks after all. I have 3 2-week olds in the house now! They are still a little terrified of me though!