Chicks vs Chickens

[werttyy]

I'm going to start raising chickens and I was wondering what are the pros and cons of starting with chicks vs starting with grown chickens. Thanks!

 

[debilorrah]

The ONLY con with starting with chicks is that you have to wait 26 weeks for eggs. We started with grown birds and then expanded from there because we wanted eggs NOW.

 

[chickee]

I prefer to get chicks because they are less likely to be diseased (if they come from a reliable source) and I bond better with the chicks and them with me. I guess it depends upon whether you just want breeders or pets that produce eggs and chicks for you

 

[pkw]

I prefer starting with chicks.

 

[Patricia Jane]

I had planned on getting chicks but ended up deciding on pullets (16 weeks). Since I am new at raising chickens I thought it would be easier than having a brooder and all that goes with it So I found a reputable person who raises his own near me. You do pay more for the pullets but you don't have to wait 23 or so weeks before they lay. But now that I have my pullets which are a lot of fun, I've decided that I would like to try my hand at Silkies. Want to get them as chicks. They are sooo cute. Looks like another coop build on the way.

 

[magicpigeon]

I prefer chicks as, for one:

1) You are aware of what nutrition they are receiving and if they are well cared for
2) You can tell if they are diseased
3) They are tame!

Unfortunately, chicks also have cons such as:

1) Roosters
2) no eggs
3) Mortality
4) You will get attached to the "culls"

 

[edgroger]

I go with chicks

 

[silverfern]

i guess chicks are more fun too!

 

[newchik715]

chicks are time consuming. once they get a few weeks old they smell a lot more and they create dust. they try to fly pretty young so probably want a covered brooder. you tend to get pretty caught up in them and find yourself checking on them at three in the morning for no reason. when they do go out into the coop you practically camp out there with them for all the worrying you do. but you also get them from day one (or two or three) and you get to watch them grow and hold them and bond with them. it makes it harder to watch them establish their pecking order or to deal with animal attacks. it is always hard but it seems even more difficult when you raise them from chicks...imo.

with getting older birds you just never know...they could have underlying illnesses or a really bad temperament. you lose a lot of the bond you could have gotten with chicks but you do get eggs faster. if you have an existing flock then you have to quarantine the new birds for some time which can be difficult if you are not set up for it. pullets can come home and go out to the coop farily quickly so when deciding on chicks or pullets it really depends on your commitment...do you have the time for chicks? if not then pullets are a better option. can youhandle the birds inside for the better part of two months? if not then, again, pullets are the better option.

 

[werttyy]

Thanks for all the replies! I think that I am going to get 3 pullets this year and try 3 chicks next year!