Older and Younger Chickens? Which Should I Get?

[geeo1]

Thank you all for the wonderful and helpful information. I am looking so forward to getting my chickens.

 

[geeo1]

Thank you all for the wonderful and helpful information. I am looking so forward to getting my chickens.

 

[Flawedatdesign]

Build more coops and get both

I got my older hens and I'm raising my chicks too.

I have 1 coop in progress and figure I will need 3-4 More before I'm done. Keep in mind these are only 4x8 coops with runs as I will free range for the most part untill the chicks are breeding age.

 

[greenSearcher]

Three questions to ask yourself - first, do you want pets? Even if you don't particularly want pet chickens, a bond forms as you care for them and gain their trust. Depending on their personality will be whether you get a lap sitter, a talker or a run and hider. Second, what size chicken do you want? Banty chickens lay smaller eggs, eat less and often tend to be more pet like. Nice if you have a smallish yard. I have 3 silkies that think they are LF, and live with all my large birds. Third, how soon do you want eggs. From chick to first egg average 6-7 months, sooner for production breeds, longer for slow maturing breeds. One advantage to buying point of lay, or already laying hens is you know there is no rooster. With chicks, even getting pullet chicks, there is a chance for boys. If you want started hens, there are folks like myself that sell started hens, I am seriously thinking about selling my small flock of Delawares so I can expand another breed. Also, if you find that the breed you selected a breed you don't care for, it will be easier to sell them as laying hens, and it is alright to realize that you don't care for a breed. It is an adventurous experience having chickens.

 

[Karen09]

I agree with greenSearcher. You need to decide what breed(s) you want. Some breeds are very docile and gentle and make more of a pet. Others are more flighty. Some lay small eggs, others large. Some lay 1 or 2 a week while others lay 4,5, or 6 a week. Check out the breed section on here or check out some different web-sites that discuss the different breeds, temperments and egg-laying ability. So what is the purpose of your desire for chickens? Mine was for the fun, the amount of bug reduction in my lawn and for the eggs. Good luck and have fun deciding. Also if you choose one this year and find you don't care for that breed, there are others out there to change to. And everyone has their own opinion based on their likes and dislikes. I personally prefer the Easter Eggers made by Buff Orphington hen and an Ameraucana rooster. They are very sweet, lay a nice light green egg and my husband says they look like dragons. (I don't see the similarities, but...). So have fun!