TS pullets

[ramsey590]

We are new to chicken ownership and BYC. We went to tractor supply about 2 weeks ago and bought our first 6 pullets. I called the store back and the manager couldn't really tell me what breed of pullets I purchased. I know they are still young so I may be asking prematurely. I purchased 3 from the red pullet bin and 3 from the pullet bin. Thanks in advance!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

We are new to chicken ownership and BYC. We went to tractor supply about 2 weeks ago and bought our first 6 pullets. I called the store back and the manager couldn't really tell me what breed of pullets I purchased. I know they are still young so I may be asking prematurely. I purchased 3 from the red pullet bin and 3 from the pullet bin. Thanks in advance!

Hi, and welcome to BYC!

In order to help you, we'll need photos. While lots of chicks look alike at two weeks old, we might be able to figure them out for you.

I can tell you that your "red pullets" are most likely Red Sex Links or Production Reds.

 

[DCchicken]

Some TS stores also sell buff orpingtons in the red pullet bin. So maybe post a picture.

 

[ramsey590]

Sorry guys, for some reason I can't post from my PC or my iphone still trying tho! Maybe this worked?

 

[DCchicken]

Buff Orpingtons and Leghorns.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

The yellow chicks look to be White Leghorns or White Rocks. The buff birds could be Buff Orps, but they could also be gold sex links. Post photos again at 8-10 weeks old and they'll be easier to ID.

 

[DCchicken]

TS gets their chicks from Mt. Healthy Hatchery. You could try contacting them. But I firmly believe that they are Buff Orps and Leghorns since I just saw those there around Easter weekend. But if you want to know for sure, contact the hatchery and see what they shipped to your TS the Monday of the week you picked them up.

 

[hdowden]

you have what looks to be buff orps and either white leghorn or white rocks body build on the whites has me leaning towards rocks but repost in about 5 weeks

 

[ramsey590]

Thanks for the help and I'll post updated pictures then, the picture was when they were about 3 weeks old I believe. Are the Leghorns and Buff Orps good laying hens? And when should I expect them to start laying? And what's the proper age to move them from the boorder box to their coop? Sorry for all the question, just brand new to the chicken community and want to give them what they need to thrive and ultimately have tasty eggs haha

 

[DCchicken]

Thanks for the help and I'll post updated pictures then, the picture was when they were about 3 weeks old I believe. Are the Leghorns and Buff Orps good laying hens? And when should I expect them to start laying? And what's the proper age to move them from the boorder box to their coop? Sorry for all the question, just brand new to the chicken community and want to give them what they need to thrive and ultimately have tasty eggs haha

Yes Buffs and Leghorns are excellent layers. Some can start laying as early as 16 weeks. But it really depends upon weather, feed, coop conditions, and really just the mood of the pullet. Buff Opingtons will lay light brown eggs while Leghorns will lay the pure white egg that you see in the store.

Chicks require heat until they are fully feathered. So do not remove the heat until then. Once they are fully feathered, you can take them out for practice trips to the coop. I would bring them in at night. Then once you and the chicks are ready, put them in the coop but lock them up. Do that for several days until they associate the coop as their new home. Then you can let them run around in their run. But if you have any predators in the area (including dogs), I would still lock them up at night and let them out in the morning.

Good luck and enjoy. Just be prepared. I started with 7 chicks. Now I have 120 plus another 60 in 4 incubators. It's called chicken math.