Has anyone ever purchased pullets instead of day old baby chicks?

Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 08:00

We are a family of 5.  We do eat eggs just about every day but through my research I have found that we only need about 10 laying hens.  So I have though about purchasing pullets (chickens that come about 15 -18 weeks old) instead of day old baby chicks.  That way in a few weeks after there arrival we would have fresh eggs.  Has anyone else done this?  I might still buy some day old chicks to raise so that I will have some staggering of ages.  What do you think?

Also, I know that McMurray is a good hatchery but I found one called Sun Ray Hatchery that is sooo much cheaper.  Have you heard of them?  There is also another one called My Pet Chicken.  They are about the same price as McMurray.  Anyway, any thoughts on this topic would be great.  I think I have decided to go ahead with chickens.  I told Dh that it would not be cheaper but he said that from the time we moved to this place I have talked about chickens and he wants me to have some.  I just love that man!!

Blessings,

Trixi

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Posted by countrydreamn on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 07:08 - Link

If you look at McMurrary this shipping cost on started pullets is crazy. Unless you can find them locally I can't say that I would do it. At least from them, I haven't really looked at other companies for started pullets.
Can you maybe find someone around you that has chickens that might sell you a few hens and a roo, then you will be able to get new chicks hopefully.
I can give you some of mine, but they won't be laying until August or early Sept. That doesn't really help though does it.

Blessings,
Debi

Edited by countrydreamn on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 07:12

Our poor chickens...

Posted by MamaDuke on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 07:54 - Link

We had a few chickens a few years ago. We purchased Dominickers (the really fat salt & pepper hens) who were already laying. However, the coons be-headed the chickens before they could lay eggs for us. It was a nightmare...you should have heard the shrieking before we could get up there. Anyway, my only advice is to have a good, strong henhouse...use metal as the coons may tear through the wood. Or, have really thick wood.

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Posted by HandsNHearts on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 08:18 - Link

Trixi, check out the tupelofreecycle group over at yahoogroups. Last year we picked up our layers (Buff Orpingtons) from a man there who raises them. I can't place his name right now, but he's there in the archives somewhere last summer. He raises pastured poultry and sells a few now and then, gives some away even, to build awareness of pastured poultry and sustainable farming practices.
You could try First Monday at Ripley, but I'd watch what you get. They always have birds there, but be selective so you don't end up with some aging half-diseased bird.
We are always needing more eggs around here (we only have 5 layers right now) and I end up buying the case of 15 dozen from Sam's Club :o( How sad is that -- a homesteader buying eggs!
Deanna

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