Which would be more practical for a new chicken keeper.

[annaraven]

As a newbie, start with pullets. Get a couple. You'll get addicted enough to try the one-day olds soon enough. Remember that many one-day olds are too young to be sexed so you'd end up with some roos.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, with the pullets. You don't have a flock to bring a disease to. And pullets are a bit sturdier, and you get to eggs quicker, you can hardly believe how long it takes for 6 months + to eggs can be!

But it will give you the experience of chickens, then when summer comes you can try a few chicks.

Some people don't think that the older hens are as friendly, but mine have always figured out quick who was bringing the treats and were plenty glad to see me. Always call, "chick, chick chick" or something and feed with the same bucket, and you can get your flock to come quickly very fast.

MrsK

ps.... all chicks look cute, not all hens do

 

[PaulaSB12]

Quote:
My mother was so ill I didn't like to leave her so couldn't guarenttee being with the chickens every day which meant I wouldn't start until she was better enough to be left (which I am happy to say she is now)

 

[abhaya]

I would go with chicks. less chance od bringing in desease.

 

[PamB]

There is definitely a difference in my chickens that I raised from babies and the ones I acquired as pullets. The ones that I had from babies are so friendly with us and just love to be held and cuddled. The others are coming around (will eat from our hands) but still run if we try to pick them up and I believe they always will. So, if you don't want to bother with taking care of babies and you are not viewing the chickens as "pets" (like I do), I'd say go for the older birds. However, if you are looking for pets to pick up and cuddle, then you have a better chance of getting that by raising day old chicks. JMO....for what it's worth

 

[Ridgerunner]

Either can be practical, depending on your goals and set-up. I don't know what your true goals with chickens are. Eggs, meat, pets, to show, to breed, or some combination. It makes a difference.

It sounds like you would brood young chicks in your house. One possible disadvantage, especially if you have someone in ill health, is that chicks generate a lot of dust. That may be OK in your situation or it may become an issue.

I've found that brooder raised chicks are less able to forage for themselves, compared to chicks raised by a broody. Same with being able to protect themselves from predators. This may or may not be a consideration depending in your set-up and how the POL pullets were raised.

With POL pullets, you know they are pullets. With chicks, you are not as certain. What are your plans to deal with potential roosters? Or would roosters not be a problem?

What are your options for purchasing chicks? Here, many hatcheries will only ship a minimum of 15 or 25, depending on the hatchery. We can get fewer, but that gets pretty expensive. You may be able to get chicks locally in any number, so this may not be an issue.

In either case, I'd have the facilities built before I purchased them. Most chicks will be fully feathered by the time they are 5 weeks old and can go outside. Those five weeks can go by pretty fast when trying to build something, especially if you get bad weather or something comes up. And getting them out of your house may be an issue.

Good luck with it, whichever way you decide.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I am going to write down a list of pros and cons to each idea. put it down and think about it over the weekend. Then I will decide as for them being pets, no they are intended for the pot as soon as they slow down on laying so no names and no being a pet for them. Also I do have 3 cats, Queenie and Socks have hunted mice Tippy prefers underwear (vests, knickers bras and socks!)

 

[Judy]

Well, then, roosters won't be a problem, as when they crow is a good time for butchering; they're not full size but they're still nice and tender.

Your cats shouldn't be a problem except to chicks. Cats tend to avoid mature chickens, especially if they've eve been pecked. Sometimes a feral cat will take a chicken, though I really think this is pretty unusual; we have a group of them around here and they don't even come on the property any more. Actually, once the chickens are a good size, I'd encourage them to be in the coop, as mice like chicken feed.

Only other thing -- I'd find a way to brood them outdoors if you start with chicks. In the house is awful even if you have no health problems -- they give off so much dander when young, and that means an incredible amount of dust, all over the house.

Breeds that tend to go broody are handy -- then you can let them raise their own replacements.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Quote:
The only problem there is with one cat is when I find her running downstairs with the bra I wanted to wear around her neck! I mean really can't I have one normal pet. Queenie forgot the other two Tippy is a kleptomaniac and Socks is so neurotic he thinks that a laser light toy for cats is a death ray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will consider what everyone is saying about the hens though. Thanks for the help.

ps anyone else with weird pets?

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Quote:
You mean there are normal pets???