Newbie in Vermont

[bluenova]

I think I am ready to launch into raising my own rather than adoring from afar. Ideally, the endeavor would begin like this...start with chickens close to being old enough to lay eggs as soon as possible this season and could become meat birds in the fall. Is this possible? All the feed stores in my area sell baby chicks. I have a landscaping business, so this is a busy time of year for me. Is it possible to buy older birds to start? If so, where do I find them? I've tried searching the web to get an idea about all of this, but all the info I can find begins with raising the babies...which would be fun, but conflicts with other things, as I said. I hope it is not inappropriate to come right out of the chute asking questions! I look forward to learning a ton here. It looks like a wonderful forum.

Most kindly,
---Susan

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN

 

[citalk2much]

Welcome
Sorry I can't help you in your area someone will come along that can

 

[Up-the-Creek]

from WV!

 

[debilorrah]

 

[The Chicken Lady]

, Susan!

Glad to have you here!

You can often buy older birds on Craigslist... However, you really need to be sure of what you're getting. Some birds you may buy from others may be "spent" hens...so they may not be laying e ggs much longer.

It really is better to raise them from chicks. You can bond with them and they'll truly be the "pets that make you breakfast."

 

[Chickie Mamma]

from CT

 

[mrsgibber]

Some of the hatcheries on line are selling 17 week old pullets...Golden Comets & Black Sexlinks....major egg layers and will continue to lay over the cold winter (which is uncommon) so it'd be good for you being in VT.

Welcome~!

 

[briana1975]

from Michigan.

 

[n-da-woods]

Hello and

from NC