Chicks or chickens?

[Julieschicks]

Hello! Haven't posted in a while since our timeline to getting chickens got pushed back about a year. Anywho...we’re looking to finally add some this spring! My biggest question is this, is it better to get chicks to start with, or chickens that are already a few months old and can just start right out in the coop? We have a local lady that runs a small chicken farm with soooooo many different breeds to choose from and all manner of different ages available at any given time as well. We bought a few 2.5mo old chickens from her for my father in law for Christmas to replace his that we’re attacked by dogs last year. She even offers brooder set ups to rent or buy. But I’m on the fence as to whether I want to take on the extra responsibility of chicks and figuring out a good place to keep them where the dogs can’t get them...or the toddler! Would we be better off getting some that are already 5wks old or older??

And side question to that, does it matter what time of year we actually get them? I mean, I say spring time since that’s when you start to see baby chicks available, but does it really matter if we get them in spring vs summer or fall?

Thanks!!

 

[feedman77]

The earlier you get chicks in the spring the better chance you have of them laying in the fall and over the winter.

If you are worrying about dogs and toddlers getting to baby chicks I'd start with older birds. That can start out in a coop.

If the lady that raises chickens has point of lay pullets or adult hens may be another option. May cost a little more. But you don't
Have 6 months of feed invested and you get eggs quicker.

 

[tigger19687]

I think if you get Chicks and handle them everyday they are more social.
But if you want them out in the coop, get older ones. You will STILL need to keep the toddler and dogs away.

When to get chicks depends on when they are available, and When you want them to lay ?
Mine were 2 months old, not very socialized and didn't' start to lay till Fall and one still isn't laying. Course I have Winter here so that is an issue plus I don't put light in the coop.

 

[lomine]

If you don't want to deal with the hassle of raising chicks, then don't. They can get messing and stinky inside (I brood in the barn) so I can understand wanting to skip that part. If you get pullets (like 6-8 weeks +) and you know what you are looking for, you have a better chance of not getting any oops cockerels.

 

[Chelseyb123]

When i started having chickens last yr they aged from 6months to 3yrs. So it was much easier with already having some laying hens an pullets just starting to lay. I did hatch chicks in the fall/winter they are more maintenance unless you can have them outside. I had them in my living room when they turned 8wks than moved to the basement until spring. I dont feel comfortable with them in the cole weather here in maine. But only have two chicks an they still make a mess an eat a lot. they are 11wks old. Plus with chicks you have to buy different feeds as they grow. Hope this is helpfully i would start with pullets an than towards chicks if you want to be able to really raise them after hatch. Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

There are many aspects to this hobby. I would strongly suggest that you get the started birds. They are sturdier (the weak ones are gone). You know you are getting just hens. I like to recommend an all hen flock the first year, especially if you have little ones.

In a year or two, then add some chicks, then raise up a rooster, hatch your own, make a little REAL homemade chicken soup...

Many aspects to this hobby, try different parts over the years to come, you get some experience as you go. There is a learning curve to chickens, starting with pullets is great place to start.

Mrs K

 

[rosemarythyme]

In your situation I think started pullets would be easier to care for, since it sounds like you have your hands full with dogs and kids. The other bonus is it's far easier to make sure you get all hens if that is your preference, as birds are easier to sex the older they get.

I would only suggest starting with chicks if it's important to you to have "pet" chickens. The chickens I got as chicks are definitely less skittish than the ones I got at 7 weeks old.

 

[lilmillefleur]

I agree with everyone, if you want friendlier birds that require a bit more work, get chicks. If you want ones that you will know to be healthy and closer to lay, and require a little less work, go with started pullets.

 

[Julieschicks]

Thank you everyone! Ok, sounds like started pullets will be the way to go right now. Yes, just the 3 kids keep me busy enough! And our 2 dogs are outside only dogs so would need a LOT more watching with younger chicks. They’re hunting dogs by nature as it is, so we’ll need to work with them a lot just to keep them from trying to constantly harass them. They’re getting pretty old now though, so hopefully they’ll just be too lazy to care much. We do plan to have a completely enclosed run with the hardware cloth for good protection.

Forgot to add, our neighbors have 6 chickens and we took care of them for 5 days while they were out of town. It was a lot less work than I was imagining so now I’m reignited to get our own since I think we can actually manage them!