Maine

[hoppy]

first, welcome to byc!!
I've done chickens both ways. my first birds were adults and they were a great learning experience. the next yr I started with chicks, they are pretty easy either way. chicks are fun but a bit more work. the intial cost of the bird is less but you have the equipment to buy- heat lamp and the waiting for the to get to laying age. chicks will run about $4 and up for day olds and ready to lay about $10-20 and past laying prime $5. although you may get some of older hens and not know it until they don't lay, which is why some people prefer chicks, you will know how old they are.

I'm a first time chicken raiser...is it ok to just buy a couple chickens - or should I raise them from an egg?

I'm in Windham, Maine

 

[Widget]

I'm a first time chicken raiser...is it ok to just buy a couple chickens - or should I raise them from an egg?

I'm in Windham, Maine

.

As others have said either way is fine but I would suggest starting with chicks or older birds rather than going the hatching route. Hatching is addictive but you also have to consider the initial start up cost. And there is also the disappointment if you don't have a great hatch. Also keep in mind that from birth to laying eggs takes anywhere from 4-6 months. So if you want eggs quickly finding older pullets close to POL (Point of Lay) you want to find some at least 12 weeks old.

Swaps are starting up soon. I believe the Windham TSC is starting on April 20. Not sure how many birds will be for sale there but that might be a place to start. I know Longhorn in Buxton is having a chick seminar on April 13th. Blue Seal in Windham is having one too but I'm not sure of the date. Longhorn sells chicks and often gets in Golden Comet pullets (great egg layers) that are 12 weeks old several times a year. TSC and Blue Seal also have chick days in the spring. Keep in mind that Maine state law requires that chicks under 8 weeks be sold in lots of six at the stores and swaps so you would have to get at least that amount. If you go through a private sale you would be able to get fewer than six. However I would recommend at least four. Chickens do better in flocks. One or two chickens would probably be overly stressed and therefore not be as healthy in the long run.

 

[hoppy]

I recommend get one more then you really want in case one dies but yes, they are flock animals and if you decide you want to keep them over the winter, a few more will help keep them all warm depending on the size of your coop. minimum of 1 square foot/bird but they really need more room then that and I'd say 3 square feet would be a better amount if they are confined. if they can get out and range, you will need less room in the coop because they will only be there when it's raining, laying eggs or bedtime.

If you go through a private sale you would be able to get fewer than six. However I would recommend at least four. Chickens do better in flocks. One or two chickens would probably be overly stressed and therefore not be as healthy in the long run.

 

[Paulajon]

Quote:
My shipped eggs from Illinois hatched out great with no heat pack on March 4th, 16 eggs sent hatched out 12 BLRW.....

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm a first time chicken raiser...is it ok to just buy a couple chickens - or should I raise them from an egg?

I'm in Windham, Maine

Welcome Davie. Have fun with your decision making process!!

Today, I put the new chicks who are 1 week old downstairs with the larger chicks who are 10 days older, and MUCH bigger. There's 1/2" hdw cloth seperating the 2 groups. One of the baby Doms was pacing in front of the wire, picking a fight with one of the male sex-links. Amusing to watch as the older chick is 3 times the size as the Dom!! Any one want to lay odds that this Dom is a male?? All of the new chicks are SUPPOSED to by pullets.

 

[Paulajon]

Quote:
WELCOME MAINEDAVIE

 

[Mainechick168]

I'm a first time chicken raiser...is it ok to just buy a couple chickens - or should I raise them from an egg?

I'm in Windham, Maine

MaineDavie- Last spring was our first go-round with chickens ( husband grew up with them, but didn't have much to do with raising them...) and we got 6 day old chicks. You've got to go through the extra step of having a brooder, but this was really not hard, it was fun to have them in the house and watch them grow! I would recommend getting more than you want because a: like others have mentioned, one or two might die, and b: however many you get will suddenly seem like not enough! We started with 6, lost one, and "needed" to get 5 more at 8 weeks old

 

[Wee Acre Farm]

Good morning everyone. I just completed a hatch that had 19 eggs. It had 7 Delaware, 6 Icelandic, 1 Buckeye, 5 RIR/NH. Out of these only 2 Icelandic did not hatch. This was a very good hatch. I will be setting more Icelandic eggs and RIR/NH eggs next week. I will be selling Icelandic chicks when I get some that are 8 weeks.

 

[kinsey228]

Out of 18 eggs that made it to lockdown, 13 have hatched, 3 are trying, and 2 (I believe) have died. I am very happy with this hatch. Hopefully the 40+ eggs that go into the bator this week will have at least as good of a hatch rate.

 

[annabananaandfamily]

I'm a first time chicken raiser...is it ok to just buy a couple chickens - or should I raise them from an egg? 

I'm in Windham, Maine

You arent far from me! I am in Raymond.

Really, either way works fine, its up to you what you you feel comfortable with. Honestly, it is much easier to start with chicks. If you want to start from eggs, then yoj are getting into incubators, brooders, etc. Chicks are easier than you think. And just a note on that, we are havingour first farm days swap in windham at tsc on april 20. That would be a great time to get locally raised chicks and meet and talk with local folks that are FULL of knowledge.