Need Advice on Buying Hens

[DiannaB]

Hello, I don't know what it is called, but I am wanting to purchase some additional hens for my flock. I do not want chicks, I am new to all of this and not quite ready to try the babies yet. I want to purchase some hens that are just starting to lay. So should I look for pullets (not sure what is considered a pullet), or do I look for layers? I don't even know how to tell if a chick is a hen or a rooster and have heard stories of ordering chicks only to end up with several roosters. We live in a gated community, so our association will not allow us to have roosters. Yes, I know that I could always process them for the table, but I really am not ready for that yet either. For the most part, my flock came with the property. What are the best breeds to raise? I think I have Buffs, Reds and a Brahma (maybe). Thank you.

 

[Bear1978]

You want layers. As the term ‘pullet’ generally refers to a female chicken that has yet to reach the age of egg laying, which is about 18 weeks of age and the term ‘cockerel’ refers to a young rooster. By that age you are wanting should be able to tell if it’s a hen or a rooster by its appearance and behavior. But there is always a chance one could be a late blooming roo and you not realize it by appearance at a younger age.

Unless you know 100% that the ones you’re getting are indeed hens, then there’s always a chance one could be a rooster.

As far as integrating older chickens into an existing flock with its pecking order in place, that’s a whole different story and brings with it a lot of additional issues and possible complications, which is why most prefer to introduce younger pullets into their flock rather than older hens.

However, I’ve only had experience with my small flock of young pullets. So I’m sure there’s someone on here who can offer some sound advice. Good luck!

 

[AidKD]

I have Buffs and they are awesome! I would definately recommend them. Pullets are hens. Some farm stores have older hens.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I think if the breeder is trusted, pullets not yet laying are the way to go. They are past the fragile baby stage, but you know they are not older than is being presented thus halfway through their laying cycle. Typically they start laying around 20 weeks old. A chicken that is right before laying is pretty expensive though.

As far as breeds, pick one that you really love! All the breeds have different personalities within them, but also kind of have general breed wide traits. Read up on the ones available to you and decide which you think is the prettiest and would fit in best with your situation.(for example climate, and what color eggs you want.)

 

[texsuze]

I've brought in both 'started pullets' and laying hens to my flock over the years. IMHO, first consider the breed that is suitable to your climate (both summer and winter) and to your particular setup (amount of free-range, coop size, etc.) Then find a decent breeder or connect with someone (like on BYC) who has the breed you are interested in and go from there.

 

[Ruthster55]

I would recommend started pullets of Buff Orpingtons or maybe Brahmas in your situation.

With a HOA you want docile chickens and don’t want anything that Bawk Bawks the egg song too much.

 

[clickchicks]

I think if the breeder is trusted, pullets not yet laying are the way to go. They are past the fragile baby stage, but you know they are not older than is being presented thus halfway through their laying cycle. Typically they start laying around 20 weeks old. A chicken that is right before laying is pretty expensive though.

This is exactly what I did... I thought about buying adult hens, but realized I had no way to verify how old they actually are! I got my chickens mostly has a project and as pets, but I would like some eggs someday.

It seems like a popular business for individuals or farms to buy chicks in bulk from hatcheries and grow them out to sell as pullets. I don't know how reputable that is, but its what I ended up doing. I 100% could not manage a rooster and am far too sensitive to kill/process one on my own So I wanted to be very sure the birds I was getting were all female (the farm I got them from had an "exchange" policy on accidental cockerels which was also nice).

You could try looking to see if there is a facebook group of backyard poultry people in your city. That could be a good way to get some pullets, or maybe even people selling/rehoming some slightly older hens (if the age thing isn't a concern to you).

 

[aart]

Hello, I don't know what it is called, but I am wanting to purchase some additional hens for my flock. I do not want chicks, I am new to all of this and not quite ready to try the babies yet. I want to purchase some hens that are just starting to lay. So should I look for pullets (not sure what is considered a pullet), or do I look for layers? I don't even know how to tell if a chick is a hen or a rooster and have heard stories of ordering chicks only to end up with several roosters. We live in a gated community, so our association will not allow us to have roosters. Yes, I know that I could always process them for the table, but I really am not ready for that yet either. For the most part, my flock came with the property. What are the best breeds to raise? I think I have Buffs, Reds and a Brahma (maybe). Thank you.

How long have you had them?
Any idea how old they are?
Going to assume you are new to keeping chickens.
I would hold off adding more birds until you are comfortable raising the birds you now have,
and get thru your first winter.
Integration is a whole other learning curve.

What are the community rules about chickens?
How big is your coop and run?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

 

[DiannaB]

Thank you for all the great replies. Now, to answer some questions asked. I have had my hens for about 6 weeks now. 8 of them came with our new house, 2 were given to me by someone that had to move. I have no idea how old they are. I separated the established flock, the original 8 layers, and the two new layers for a few days and then combined them. They all get along well. Yes, I am new to keeping chickens. I am now comfortable with the flock, they come to meet me every time I walk out there, talking to me.

I do have reservations about raising some chicks, but have been told that for this area it is the perfect time to get them because they will be old enough to make it through the winter. The little ISA Browns were so cute. However, I think that as some one posted, it might be a good idea to see how winter goes first. We are a mountain community, higher elevation, and I do not know what to expect. On that note, I have recently signed up on some chicken and garden groups that are specific for my area. They are being very helpful, but at this time it seems that all that is being sold are roosters.

1. I don't want a rooster. At this time, I only want eggs. Next year I may add some birds for meat, but my youngest son is planning on a large flock for meat so I can get meat from him. He doesn't want eggs, so we can swap out.

2. We live in an HOA of sorts, kind of our own little community (population almost 6,000) and we are not allowed roosters.

So my coop is approx. 10 x 8 foot that has the nesting boxes, feeder, roost poles and a section in front for feed and supplies. It has chicken doors to either side so they can pass through to the enclosures. The one side is about 8 x 8, nice elderberry tree gives that side a lot of shade the girls love to hop around in the branches. The other side is about 8 x 14. I need to do some repair work on the ground and wire. They are not free range, too many predators for my comfort. I think originally it may have been a play house that was converted. There is a good size deck on the front of the coop and this week end we are going to install wire around and up to make it into a raised bed garden. We have deer that wonder through so the wire will keep them from snacking on my plants.

 

[Mrs. K]

You do have the space, but I think I would recommend waiting until next year. Give you some experience, get through the winter, and time to really consider what kind of birds you want.

That ^^ is really good advice, but believe me the lady writing it has often not taken it. Good luck!

Mrs K