Just starting--chicks or chickens?

[stacymac71]

Just starting for the first time with chickens, do I need to start with chicks? Can I get chickens ready to lay?

 

[MetalSmitten]

you can get older chickens, if they're available in your area. be prepared to pay more for them

look any potential birds over as well as you can though, make sure there aren't any obvious signs of disease or anything. good luck

 

[schroeder vanhorner]

Quote:
i hatched eggs and have chicks for the fun of it
you can probably find adult chickens on craigslist for instant eggs
or some upcoming animal swap / auction near where you live
would give you more selection of breeds
schroeder

 

[ams4776]

I liked starting with adult chickens (though i lucked out and got em free) less start hassel. Now i am onto hatching my own eggs (will set em this week) but chicks are adorable and may be advantages to raising em young to start

 

[Patricia Jane]

I was going back and fourth on chicks or pullets as well and decided on pullets. I picked mine up from a local farm. They were 16 weeks, coop ready. They took a little while to lay but are now proficient layers. I wanted chicks but thought of having to set up a brooder, lamps, keeping them in my house etc. I'm glad I went pullets then but would love to get chicks now. I'm TRYING to hold off till next year and build another coop and get some chicks. I guess the best advise is for you to weigh the pros and cons of both and see which one you would be most comfortable doing. Best of luck and enjoy. And

 

[Anianna]

I was told you take a greater risk buying adults because people often sell off their castaways (such as hens that don't lay well). Also, if you free-range at all, it is my understand that it is harder to get adults to call the coop home and ensure they return.

Personally, I don't find chicks all that difficult, but mine are only a week old. They are entirely adorable and I'm so glad we started with chicks, at least for now.

 

[SeaisforChicken]

I ran into this issue as we built the coop. Instant eggs vs the fun of chicks. I'm a live-in manager of a hotel and having the chicken coop on-site is going to add to the charm of the Inn. I wanted to get chicks and raise them to be friendly. I also worry about why someone would sell chickens, but if you find an honest farmer, I don't think there would be too many issues with starting with chickens. At least there would be no "is this a roo??" questions if they were already laying haha

As far as difficulty... We have 6 4 wk old chicks and they're not too difficult. kind've the same thing as having any other indoor bird. Clean. Feed. Water. They are super cute and fun to watch, though! Good luck, whichever path you take!

 

[andalusn]

we started our flock with a very handsome rooster. Of course that meant he needed hens. There are many folks that hatch eggs and raise up the pullets to pol (point of lay) and sell them. Check the for sale boards in your local feed store, question the staff, many raise and sell birds themselves and then there is Craigs List. Another good connection is to look here on BYC for a group of forum members who may be organizing a swap meet. Peeps to layers are at those swap meets. Check your local extension office for any 4-H groups. The local kids also raise and sell birds too. You just have to put out feelers and before you know it you'll have hens that are layers at a prime age.

 

[TN_BIRD]

Quote:
We did both (got chicks and hens)

Hasn't been without some issues (one of our hens bullies the chicks, so we are dealing with that).

The eggs are nice, but if I had to choose only one, it would be to start with baby chicks (They grow up fast and are fun. You'll have eggs in just a few months, anyway)

 

[ginger c.]

go for the chicks, setting up the brooder isn't that bad, we used a 55 gal. rubbermaid storage bin. we were told it would be harder to get older chickens to warm up to us and while having instant eggs would be nice having those babies start to warm up to us has been AMAZING!!! good luck, don't be afraid, the folks on BYC are so great, eager to help and encouraging that even for newbies like us we feel totally at ease with our new little fuzzy-butts!