What Age Chicken to Buy - A beginner's guide to getting the right chickens for you

Posted by Rachael - Dine a Chook

13th Apr 2023

What age chicken should I buy?

Yay! You’re getting chickens! You might already have your chicken coop all set up, have researched different breeds, and know where to buy chickens, but there is one more decision - what age chickens to buy.

That’s right, you can buy chickens at any age you like: from cute, fluffy chicks right up to retired layers like rescue hens.

So what is the best age chicken to buy? Every age has different pros and cons, from cost to the breeds available.

Before looking at the pros and cons of the different options, you need to think about why you are getting chickens.

What age chickens can you buy?

You can buy chickens at almost any age. Here are the most common options, so that you know what to ask for:

Fertilised eggs - These eggs are ready for incubation
Day-old chicks - Chicks need a brooder with a heat source to keep them warm. Some day-old chicks are 'sexed' which means you can just get hens.
Pullets - Pullets are birds with adult feathers. They no longer require a brooder or heat source, but they aren't yet old enough to produce eggs.
Point of lay birds - These hens are the right age to begin producing eggs.
Adult birds - Adult hens are proven layers and are often purchased as breeding stock.
Rescue hens - Rescue birds are "retired" layers from commercial farms, although they will usually still be producing eggs. They are 2-3 years old and would be killed if they were not rescued.

Why are you getting chickens?

The reason why you are getting chickens will help decide the best age birds to buy

Reason for getting chickens	The best age chicken to buy
As pets	Chicks usually make the best pets because they more easily bond with you. Choose sexed chicks over eggs, unless you have a plan for the roosters! Rescue hens are another good option because you are really making a difference in their lives.
For eggs	Pullets and point-of-lay birds are going to produce eggs most quickly and reliably, and for the longest period. What ever you buy, choose sexed birds so that you aren't feeding unwanted roosters!
To save money	Fertilised eggs or day-old chicks are the cheapest option but you will be feeding the birds for months before eggs are produced, so unless you are already set up and plan to sell (or eat!) the roosters, these aren't actually the cheapest option. Do the math, but you'll likely find more expensive pullets or point of lay birds are actually cheaper.
For the kids	Fertilised eggs or day-old chicks provide the best opportunity to experience the wonders of nature and engage with the food supply. Alternatively, rescue hens provide an opportunity for kids to understand industrial farming.

If you have no experience with chickens, you may like to start out with older birds like pullets because they require less set up and attention.

Many experienced chicken keepers prefer to raise their own birds from eggs. This gives you more control over genetics and your flock. Fertilised eggs also provide the most affordable access to rare breeds and specialised genetics.

What are the pros and cons of different aged chickens?

Fertilised eggs

Fertilised eggs are obviously the most natural way to get chickens. They can be hatched in an incubator or under a broody hen.

Pros	Cons
Hatching your own chicks is a magical experience for children Fertilised eggs are the cheapest way to get chickens Hand-raised chicks make great pets! Fertilised eggs are an affordable way to get rare-breed (and therefore expensive) chickens Provides access to a wider range of breeds and special genetic traits The easiest way to get chickens from a breeder that is far away from you	You will have to dispose of some roosters Fertility and hatch rate can vary Requires an incubator and brooder, or a broody hen

Day-old chicks

Day-old chicks are absolutely adorable little balls of fluff, but raising chicks can be labour-intensive.

Pros	Cons
Day old chicks are so cute! Raising chicks is great for kids Hand-raised chicks make great pets! They are cheaper than grown birds Chicks from breeders are usually vaccinated Chicks are often available sexed, so you don’t have to deal with roosters You get the benefit of raising chicks without needing an incubator Can usually be bought from the feed store (in season) or through mail order	You may still end up with unwanted roosters, although most hatcheries offer a replacement guarantee! It will be some time before you get eggs You need a brooder to keep the chicks warm and healthy If you already have chickens, you will need to keep the chicks separate for a few months Chicks are delicate Often only available in more common breeds

Pullets

Pullets are often the most economical option - they are closer to laying than chicks and don't require a brooder. They are cheaper than older birds but more expensive than chicks or eggs.

Pros	Cons
You can request birds by sex and there won’t be any mistakes! Pullets are big enough to be quite hardy, independent and able to look after themselves Because they are young, pullets often adapt quite well and become good pets Pullets from breeders have usually been vaccinated against common diseases They don't require special facilities	Pullets are not always available and are often harder to source than chicks or eggs Care needs to be taken when introducing pullets to an existing flock as their slightly smaller size makes them a target for older chickens You still have to wait a few months before they begin to lay Often only available in common breeds

Point of lay birds

Point of lay birds are not cheap, but you can expect an egg within weeks of purchase!

Pros	Cons
Point of lay birds are sexed, so no roosters These birds are either beginning to lay or a few weeks from doing so They are hardy and well able to look after themselves within a flock Birds from breeders are usually vaccinated against common diseases	These are one of the most expensive age chickens to buy Point of lay birds from unreliable breeders are more likely to carry parasites and diseases than younger birds Not always easy to source

Adult birds

These birds are adults and the hens are proven layers. If bought from stores, laying hens are usually in their first year of laying, but chickens bought online or from the classifieds can be any age.

Pros	Cons
Birds from reputable breeders will be proven layers or breeders These are fully grown birds which do not require any special care Often the best way to acquire certain genetic traits and rare breeds	Adult birds tend to carry more diseases and parasites than younger birds, putting your flock at risk Egg production declines with age, particularly with birds older than 2 Dishonest sellers can lie about a hen’s true age and there is no way to tell for sure

Rescue hens

Rescue hens usually come from a commercial farm and have been rescued from being culled.

Pros	Cons
You are saving a chicken's life You are giving a good life to a bird that may never have even been outside, let alone foraged for food or had treats These hens usually continue to lay	Rescue hens often have health problems These hens often have a fairly short life expectancy after rescue (2-3 years) They may not know how to forage, perch etc. They do not lay as well as other chickens of a similar age due to the stress of the commercial system

Age and quarantine

Another factor to keep in mind is disease risk. The older a chicken is, the more likely it is to be carrying parasites and diseases.

If you are starting a new flock from scratch, this might not matter so much as your new birds will all be exposed to the disease anyway. But if you already have chickens, younger birds might be a better choice as they are less likely to introduce new parasites or diseases to your flock. Chicks are safest, followed by pullets.

If you do choose to introduce new birds to an established flock, they should always go through quarantine first. And here are some tips on reducing bullying when introducing new birds to the flock.

Happy chicken keeping!

Rachael at Dine a Chook

#chicken keeping