What would you do?

[Chickem707]

So my local hatchery is finally offering Wheaton Marans. All my chickens are 7 months upwards, but what they’re offering is chicks. The owner said she’d keep some chicks until they were off heat for me, but then I would still have to keep them separate from my big chickens for god knows how long. The chicks are £6. The owner then offered me two pol marans for £36. Obviously these could go in with my chickens, but it’s a lot more. Which would you pick?

 

[ColtHandorf]

Are the chicks straight run or are they sexed? Confirmed point-of-lay pullets could be more valuable than buying six chicks and ending up with five cockerels.

 

[Chickem707]

Are the chicks straight run or are they sexed? Confirmed point-of-lay pullets could be more valuable than buying six chicks and ending up with five cockerels.

Think it actually doesn’t say

 

[Ribh]

I always do POL. There should be no unwanted cockerels, they are off heat & close to laying. You need to consider that the extra money is offset by not having to get in special chicken feed, heating or feeding birds that are not producing anything for months. And if you are buying from a reputable breeder they should also be immunised & wormed ~ other costs that you don't have to carry.

 

[ColtHandorf]

If they can't guarantee sex, I would go with point-of-lay pullets.