Lately I have not been getting as many eggs as I would like and I have plenty of extra room in my coop for a new bird. I would like a pullet or young hen because I don't want to raise a individual chick and I would also like a white egg layer. So I could either get a bird from- 1. local breeder 2. the next poultry show (april 10th), which would involve waiting 3. a started bird from a hatchery (high shipping though) like this one http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/started_white_leghorn_pullets.html So anyway, what do you recommend? Do chicken breeders usually sell individual birds such as their culls or is it usually sold in pairs (can't have a rooster)? Do most poultry shows have a sales barn?
the problem with all of those methods is possible infection. If you buy from a local or an auction, you never really know the history of the bird... are they really just a year old or are they 3 years old. Why not get a few chicks grow them out and sell the extras to cover the cost. People around hear love to buy started pullets. If I were buying an adult bird, or point of lay pullet I would definately maintain a period of isolation and if possible buy from a NPIP certified flock.
