Buying a older chicken you want to look at vent for age & BUGS! (most people have bugs & don't know) for mites you have to look real close in between feathers
I think there is a picture in the book "Living with Chickens" of what the vent should look like if they just started laying verses over year! look for it in library or feed store!
my opinion kids will bond better to chicks
I have a 3 year old grand daughter (gets very excited coming over grandmas)
she is not aloud to handle any chickens while they are brooding because, they are babies (of course we do when she is not around: more they are held tamer they will be)
6 weeks they have tripled their size, are stronger done brooding (at this point we let her sit & play with them 1/2 hour a day & each week we add time)
When kids come over they look at my silkies & other bantams but, they pick-up & play with my standard Cochin & Brahmas!
I guess they want something they can wrap their arms around & carry all over!!! These 2 breeds are real melow & I think they love the attention the more they get the more they want!
Joanne
I think there is a picture in the book "Living with Chickens" of what the vent should look like if they just started laying verses over year! look for it in library or feed store!
my opinion kids will bond better to chicks
I have a 3 year old grand daughter (gets very excited coming over grandmas)
she is not aloud to handle any chickens while they are brooding because, they are babies (of course we do when she is not around: more they are held tamer they will be)
6 weeks they have tripled their size, are stronger done brooding (at this point we let her sit & play with them 1/2 hour a day & each week we add time)
When kids come over they look at my silkies & other bantams but, they pick-up & play with my standard Cochin & Brahmas!
I guess they want something they can wrap their arms around & carry all over!!! These 2 breeds are real melow & I think they love the attention the more they get the more they want!
Joanne