Chicks and Chickens?

[werttyy]

I am thinking of getting chickens and I'm not sure whether to get chicks or grown chickens. So I want to get both! Do you think this is a good idea? Will the older chicken become dominant or will it mother the chick? Help appreciated!

 

[Higins00]

Older hens will actually kill a chick unless it has a mother who will defend it. I would do one or the other. I like raising them from chicks myself.

 

[Darklingstorm]

I'm all for starting with chicks, only because I want to make sure they are hand raised (used to being touched).
IMO I wouldn't get adult hens unless you know the person your getting them from. Of the research I've done, hens usually have a big drop in egg production after 2 years in age. So if you are wanting eggs then you would need to make sure of their age.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you have never done chickens before, I would get full grown chickens, if you can get your druthers, pick at least one or two from a breed that tends to go broody. Then later if she does go broody you can have your hen and chicks. Full grown hens are stronger, it is not uncommon to lose a few chicks at first.

I have got many hens that were full size, they start laying very quickly, and mine also figured out quickly that i was the bringer of food, so came running to me. They are friendly enough for me, but I don't like them jumping on me.

However, I do agree with the above, a group of hens will kill baby chicks, without THEIR mother to protect them.

MrsK

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Thinking back (a long time ago) to when I started... I started with chicks.

If starting from scratch again... I would start with chicks (second choice would be eggs for an experienced person).

Maybe it is a control issue... but I like knowing what has gone in to raising my birds.

Also, I would buy from a reputable breeder! Not just the farmer up the road... unless he IS a reputable breeder!