pros/cons for chicks
if you want all pullets (hens to be), you might end up with surprises
higher mortality rate, they are more fragile (this is hard for anyone but might be especially tough for kids if you lose some)
unknown personalities
but, they are cute and fun to watch grow, you can get them to be friendlier with you more easily
more challenging and potentially nerve racking for a newbie
must wait for eggs
pros/cons for adults
fewer surprises, you will know their gender
lower mortality rate
harder to win them over, but it can be done, takes a lot of handling and patience, some especially flighty ones may never be friendly with you
you may know more about their personalities, although at 4-7 months they may still be developing their personality. But you can watch out for undesirable traits - bullies, loud mouths, flightiness, lack of tolerance of confinement
easier for the newbie
eggs right away
My 4 most recent babies are now 9 months old, all hens, one of them is a lot bigger than the rest and a bully with the other hens and loud. I live in the city with chickens 30' from my bedroom so I don't really like loud chickens. I would not have chosen this particular hen! But, I absolutely loved raising them, and they are friendly with me.
Remember - it is a challenging process to introduce new chickens to an existing flock. To start, get a bunch of chickens that have already been together and are accustomed to eachother, regardless of age. It can be a major pain to introduce new chickens to your flock (after a quarantine of course). Also, I would put some serious thought into which breed(s) you get, to me that is more important than what age. I recommend getting a docile breed that is a good layer - Buff Orpington, Black Australorp, Delaware, Brahma, Faverolle, Wyandotte, Cochin...lots of other options and plenty of advice on BYC! I would avoid Leghorns, they are a bit crazy.
Tough decision! Good luck!
if you want all pullets (hens to be), you might end up with surprises
higher mortality rate, they are more fragile (this is hard for anyone but might be especially tough for kids if you lose some)
unknown personalities
but, they are cute and fun to watch grow, you can get them to be friendlier with you more easily
more challenging and potentially nerve racking for a newbie
must wait for eggs
pros/cons for adults
fewer surprises, you will know their gender
lower mortality rate
harder to win them over, but it can be done, takes a lot of handling and patience, some especially flighty ones may never be friendly with you
you may know more about their personalities, although at 4-7 months they may still be developing their personality. But you can watch out for undesirable traits - bullies, loud mouths, flightiness, lack of tolerance of confinement
easier for the newbie
eggs right away
My 4 most recent babies are now 9 months old, all hens, one of them is a lot bigger than the rest and a bully with the other hens and loud. I live in the city with chickens 30' from my bedroom so I don't really like loud chickens. I would not have chosen this particular hen! But, I absolutely loved raising them, and they are friendly with me.
Remember - it is a challenging process to introduce new chickens to an existing flock. To start, get a bunch of chickens that have already been together and are accustomed to eachother, regardless of age. It can be a major pain to introduce new chickens to your flock (after a quarantine of course). Also, I would put some serious thought into which breed(s) you get, to me that is more important than what age. I recommend getting a docile breed that is a good layer - Buff Orpington, Black Australorp, Delaware, Brahma, Faverolle, Wyandotte, Cochin...lots of other options and plenty of advice on BYC! I would avoid Leghorns, they are a bit crazy.
Tough decision! Good luck!
