Picking out Pullets~Sunday Oct. 24th~What should I look for?

[CJW]

I will be getting 6 pullets tomorrow morning, and I was wondering what I should look for. I am lucky enough to be able to go to her property and pick them out!

Some may be in the process of molting, however, the owner says that she is getting eggs from some of them.

Is there anything I should be aware of?

My two boys will be there to help choose as well, and I want to "guide" them, too.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[math ace]

1.) Watch before you pick - - make sure they are acting heathly, active, etc.

2.) Inspect the feet for scally leg mites

3.) Inspect the butts for chicken lice or mites. If you don't know what you are looking for - - -then us goggle images to get an idea

4.) LISTEN - - do you hear sneezing or other sounds indicating sickness

5.) Ask if the chickens have been wormed and when and with what product ? ?
I worm all my pullets right before they start laying so that I don't have to throw any eggs away.
Then I worm again 6 months later.

6.) Ask if they have been vaccinated against any diseases.
This should not stop you from getting a healthy pulletm but it is nice to know for future use.

Good Luck !

 

[mandelyn]

^^^ yeah that! Really take your time. If any one bird is sick, don't bother with any of them from that flock. The treatment for Scaly Leg is rather intensive, so really look for that and avoid it.

No one needs chickens bad enough to buy less than perfect birds, unless you don't plan on adding more to the flock and feel confident in managing any issues they have.

Also ask where she got them from, and if she hatched them all herself or from a hatchery or farm. Hatchery birds and a flock started from eggs are usually ok, because they haven't been exposed to other chickens. But if she's added birds to the flock, incorporated them into an existing flock... or any other way they could have contact with other birds from unknown places... that just increases the risk.

And watch for any that leave an eye closed for too long... it's a sign of something that can go respiratory. They'll get around alright, but they pause a lot and one eye or the other remains closed for a good amount of time. And the wheezing, or "yawning" motion with the head. That's fluid where it shouldn't be and an illness.

If any of them you don't want... ask yourself why. Why doesn't this bird look like I should pick it? It might be color. Might be the way the comb flops over. But really watch and make sure it isn't your eye skipping over a bigger issue.

 

[CJW]

Thank you!

We are now the proud owners of 7 beautiful, healthy Plymouth White Rock Pullets! One of them even laid an egg already!

My boys are busy finding grasshoppers to feed them!