JenandBerry Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 Hi everyone, We are looking at getting 3 chickens in the near future, and I'm going on an omlet chicken course on saturday (v excited ). We've been to talk to the breeder where we will get the chickens from and who is running the course who suggested instead of getting pol hens to get chicks, I think she said 8 weeks old ish, as then they get very tame. I have a 2.5 year old little boy who is very excited so would like to have hens that don't mind the ocassional cuddle / stroke but I don't think I could bare the heartbreak of finding out one of my hens was a him even tho the breeder will take any boys back and give them a lovely free ranging life while they behave themselves. Can anyone give any thoughts or suggestions? What age can you be reasonably sure they are girls? Is there more to raising chicks from this age then the breeder made out? As she does it frequently its no big thing for her but I've never had chickens before. I'm sure I'll be able to ask lots of questions on saturday but some opnions from different people whoule be good, Thanks for reading all this, Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 Hi It depends on the breed, she may be able to tell at 8 weeks but I'd think closer to 12 weeks you'd be able to tell You shouldn't need a brooder at that age, but they will be on growers pellets for a few more weeks, rather than layers pellets which hens eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 I have hatched autosexing breeds which is alot more reliable. Cream legbars and Lemon cookoo neiderrheiners, I'm not sure of any other autosexing breeds but we have only started and love having them from such a young age. Good luck. I'm sure you'll enjoy them whatever you get. Do you have a breed in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 If you have never kept hens before, I would recommend that you get POL hens rather than chicks. They will be much easier to look after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenandBerry Posted May 27, 2010 Author Share Posted May 27, 2010 Thanks for all the replys, I'm more inclined towards POL, maybe get some younger ones another time when I have some experiance (and a surrogate mummy for them). She made it sound easy but I'd hate to do something wrong. I'd hate to do something wrong with bigger ones too, but I'm sure there's far more to consider with younger chicks. What are auto sexing breeds? I guess its ones you can tell the boys from the girls but how? never heard of those before. Not sure what we will get as it will depend on what she has when we are ready but DH wants a ginger one, my little boy liked the black and white speckledy ones and I liked the white sussex (i think thats the type not sure the types of the other two). We keep discussing names but Ashley just wants to call his Daddy, which we've vetoed, lol, I'm not chasing a chicken round the garden calling that, he did seem open to being convinced holly was a good alternative. DH isn't bothered about choosing a name for 'his' hen (they are all going to be mine when it comes to looking after them I know but I don't mind) so i'm thinking charlie and lola for the other two. Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 I started with POL hybrids in March last year.then added 3 10 week old pure breed chicks in June last year. then added 2 30+week old pure breed girls at Easter this year and I have to say it took 1 of the 10 week olds till March this year to became friendly the hybrids took about 6 mounths to become friendly I took Hope 2 weeks I'm still waiting on Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 I'd probably go for pullets aged 14-18 weeks so in between chicks and POL. Its a really nice age They should become tame quite easily and should still lay for you this year as well as the fact that it should be easy to sex most breeds by that age the trouble is if you want hybrids they arent easy to get hold of at that age Hybrids lay pretty much all year round for two or three years Pure breed less less eggs per year but for more years and often take a break over winter Some pure breeds are prone to broodiness - bantams especially - pekins and Silkies are the prime offenders! Take a look at the breed section of this site for some different breeds and their characteristics. the site 'Feathersite' also has lots of pics in the various different colours that chooks come in Wyandottes, orpingtons and Pekins come in an array of colours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
