Opinions sought - Straight run or sexed?

[Cyneswith]

New chicken owner, never even handled a grown chicken, with 2 small kids, looking at Orpingtons of varied colors

Option 1: straight run (as in the breeders don't know how to sex chicks) 1-8 day old chicks from local breeders, $4 per chick, replacing roosters with new chicks (passing the roosters to someone to process them for meat, most likely.)

Option 2: sexed 5-10 week old pullets picked up from Carolina Rare Chicks, $35-$55 a pullet

The increased selection from option 2 had more pull until I realized I shouldn't breed my chickens until they are 1 1/2-2 years old. The decreased bio-security of the first didn't occur to me until today. Either has a mixed-size flock. I know there isn't a "right" answer, but I'd like to hear more input. My husband leans towards option one, but I'm unsure on the practicality of either processing roosters myself or transporting them to people who can easily do it.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Where did you come to the idea about not breeding for that long?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

There is no reason the first option causes a bio security issue

 

[Cyneswith]

Some hold that the eggs won't be healthy until the female is fully mature. Also, I only want 3 hens, which isn't enough for a rooster (most roosters)?

Now that I think of it, I suppose chicks wouldn't be a problem for bio-security - they have to be in the brooder box for longer than a normal quarantine period anyway. So that's out of the decision making process...

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Never get birds of any age from a questionable source! If you aren't comfortable with the seller, look elsewhere. I like to raise chicks and select the 'keepers' myself, including a possible rooster prospect, but as new chicken owners with small children, no cockerels will be a better choice. Still, getting chicks is more fun! I'm not helping here, am I? Mary

 

[Cyneswith]

Welcome! Never get birds of any age from a questionable source! If you aren't comfortable with the seller, look elsewhere. I like to raise chicks and select the 'keepers' myself, including a possible rooster prospect, but as new chicken owners with small children, no cockerels will be a better choice. Still, getting chicks is more fun! I'm not helping here, am I? Mary

This is how every internal debate is going! I want chicks. I want females. I don't want to do 7 chicks (the minimum to order through My Pet Chicken.) If I get unsexed chicks, I'm about as likely to go through 7 chicks (and months at a time!) before getting my preferred colors of hens ($4 per unsexed chick or $19 for a sexed one?)

I suppose I could see if anyone local would be interested in buying the remaining chicks from me?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

If you want chicks then you are either going to have to buy more than you need, and get rid of the extras once they can be sexed, or buy a breed that can be sexed from hatch.