One of the first decisions new chicken keepers face is whether to start with day-old chicks, teenage pullets, or mature laying hens. Each option has distinct advantages and challenges that affect your experience, costs, and timeline to fresh eggs. This guide helps you make an informed decision based on your situation, experience level, and goals.
Quick Comparison
Day-old chicks: Lowest cost, highest time investment, eggs in 5-6 months
Pullets (16-20 weeks): Moderate cost, easy care, eggs in 1-2 months
Laying hens (20+ weeks): Highest cost, immediate eggs, known personalities
Day-Old Chicks (0-3 days old)
Advantages
- Lowest upfront cost: $2-5 per chick vs. $15-25 for pullets
- Full experience: Watch complete development from fluff to feathers
- Strong bonding: Hand-raised chicks are often friendlier and easier to handle
- Breed selection: Widest variety available, including rare breeds
- Health transparency: You control their entire health history
- Timing flexibility: Available year-round from hatcheries
Disadvantages
- High maintenance: Require brooder setup, constant monitoring first 8 weeks
- Mortality risk: 5-15% mortality rate in first few weeks
- No immediate eggs: 20-24 weeks before first eggs
- Sex uncertainty: Straight-run chicks may include unwanted roosters
- Equipment needed: Brooder, heat source, special feeders/waterers
- Time intensive: Daily care and monitoring required
Total Cost Analysis (6 chicks)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 day-old chicks | $18-30 | Sexed pullets, common breeds |
| Brooder setup | $50-150 | DIY to commercial systems |
| Starter feed (50lbs) | $18-25 | First 8 weeks |
| Bedding & supplies | $15-20 | Shavings, feeders, waterers |
| Total First Year | $101-225 | Plus electricity for brooding |
Best For
- Beginners wanting full experience: Learn complete lifecycle
- Budget-conscious keepers: Lowest initial investment
- Breed enthusiasts: Access to rare or specialty breeds
- Families with children: Educational and bonding opportunity
- Those with time: Home during day for monitoring
Pullets (16-20 weeks old)
Advantages
- Point-of-lay timing: Eggs within 1-4 weeks of purchase
- Lower mortality: Past vulnerable chick stage
- No brooding required: Can go directly to coop
- Sex certainty: Definitely female, no rooster surprises
- Easier care: Hardy, less monitoring needed
- Vaccination status: Often pre-vaccinated for common diseases
Disadvantages
- Higher cost: $15-25 per bird, 3-8x more than chicks
- Limited availability: Seasonal availability, local sourcing needed
- Transport stress: Moving can delay egg laying
- Unknown history: Unsure of health management, vaccination history
- Less bonding: Not hand-raised, may be more flighty
- Breed limitations: Fewer specialty breeds available
Total Cost Analysis (6 pullets)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ready-to-lay pullets | $90-150 | 16-20 weeks old |
| Layer feed (50lbs) | $18-25 | Ready for adult feed |
| Basic supplies | $20-30 | Feeders, waterers, oyster shell |
| Total First Year | $128-205 | No brooding equipment needed |
Best For
- Beginners wanting quick success: Eggs within weeks, not months
- Busy schedules: Less intensive daily care required
- Spring starters: Perfect timing for fall/winter laying
- Impatient families: Kids see results quickly
- Coop already built: Ready to utilize existing setup
Laying Hens (20+ weeks old)
Advantages
- Immediate eggs: Already laying or will start within days
- Known personalities: Can select for temperament and behavior
- Proven layers: Production history available
- No waiting period: Instant gratification
- Minimal setup: Just need coop and basic supplies
- Emergency restocking: Replace lost birds quickly
Disadvantages
- Highest cost: $20-40 per bird depending on breed and age
- Shorter productive life: May have only 2-3 years of good laying left
- Unknown health history: Potential hidden health issues
- Limited availability: Often from backyard flocks or farm dispersals
- Transport stress: May stop laying temporarily after move
- Established habits: Harder to integrate into existing flocks
Total Cost Analysis (6 hens)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 laying hens | $120-240 | Active layers, good breeds |
| Layer feed (50lbs) | $18-25 | High-quality layer ration |
| Basic supplies | $20-30 | Feeders, waterers, supplements |
| Total First Year | $158-295 | Ready to produce immediately |
Best For
- Immediate egg needs: Want fresh eggs right away
- Replacing losses: Quick flock restocking
- Experienced keepers: Can assess health and quality
- Limited time: Minimal setup and care required
- Known breed preferences: Can select specific characteristics
Seasonal Considerations
Spring Purchases (March-May)
Day-Old Chicks
- Pros: Best selection, natural timing, moderate brooding costs
- Cons: High demand, shipping delays possible
- Timeline: Eggs by August-September
Pullets
- Pros: Perfect for fall laying season, good availability
- Cons: Higher prices due to demand
- Timeline: Eggs by June-July
Summer Purchases (June-August)
Day-Old Chicks
- Pros: Lower shipping stress, reduced heating needs
- Cons: Hot weather brooding challenges
- Timeline: Eggs by November-December
Pullets
- Pros: Good selection, ready for winter laying
- Cons: Competition from other buyers
- Timeline: Eggs through fall and winter
Fall Purchases (September-November)
Day-Old Chicks
- Pros: Lower prices, reduced competition
- Cons: Higher brooding costs, weather challenges
- Timeline: Eggs by February-March
Pullets/Hens
- Pros: Immediate winter eggs, flock dispersal sales
- Cons: Limited selection, older birds available
- Timeline: Eggs immediately through winter
Age and Development Stages
Chick Development Timeline
- 0-2 weeks: Fluffy down, require 95-90°F, paper towel bedding
- 2-4 weeks: Pin feathers emerge, 90-85°F, switch to shavings
- 4-6 weeks: Feathers developing, 85-80°F, more active
- 6-8 weeks: Mostly feathered, 80-75°F, can go outside briefly
- 8-12 weeks: Fully feathered, ambient temperature, outdoor time
- 12-16 weeks: Adolescent stage, switch to developer feed
- 16-20 weeks: Pullet stage, preparing for egg laying
- 20-24 weeks: Point of lay, first eggs appear
Sourcing Your Birds
Hatcheries (Chicks)
National Hatcheries
- Examples: Murray McMurray, Cackle Hatchery, Ideal Poultry
- Pros: Huge selection, shipping nationwide, good reputation
- Cons: Shipping stress, minimum orders, seasonal delays
- Cost: $2-8 per chick plus shipping
Local Hatcheries
- Pros: No shipping stress, pickup scheduling, local breeds
- Cons: Limited selection, seasonal availability
- Cost: $3-6 per chick, no shipping fees
Local Sources (Pullets/Hens)
Feed Stores
- Pros: Health guaranteed, known sources, convenient
- Cons: Limited breeds, higher prices, seasonal availability
- Cost: $15-30 per bird
Private Breeders
- Pros: Known history, quality breeding, specialty breeds
- Cons: Higher prices, limited availability, need references
- Cost: $20-50+ per bird
Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace
- Pros: Lower prices, immediate availability, negotiate
- Cons: Unknown health, no guarantees, transport needed
- Cost: $5-25 per bird
- Caution: Inspect carefully, quarantine new birds
Health and Quarantine
Health Inspection Checklist
Visual Health Signs
- Eyes: Clear, bright, no discharge
- Nostrils: Clean, no swelling or discharge
- Comb/wattles: Appropriate color for breed, no lesions
- Feathers: Clean, intact, appropriate for age
- Posture: Alert, upright, normal movement
- Weight: Good body condition, prominent breastbone indicates underweight
Behavioral Health Signs
- Activity level: Alert and responsive to environment
- Eating/drinking: Normal appetite and water consumption
- Breathing: No wheezing, open-mouth breathing, or coughing
- Walking: Normal gait, no limping or difficulty
Quarantine Protocol
- Isolation period: 30 days minimum for new birds
- Separate housing: No contact with existing flock
- Different equipment: Separate feeders, waterers, tools
- Health monitoring: Daily observation for illness signs
- Veterinary check: Recommended for valuable birds
Integration Strategies
Size-Based Integration
Chicks to Existing Flock
- Wait until 16+ weeks: Size matters for safety
- Gradual introduction: Visual contact first, then supervised visits
- Separate housing initially: Adjacent but protected
- Multiple integration points: Food, water, roosting areas
Similar-Age Integration
- Easier process: Less size disparity
- Neutral territory: Introduce in new area if possible
- Multiple birds: Integrate groups rather than individuals
- Monitor closely: Watch for bullying or exclusion
Decision Framework
Choose Chicks If:
- You want the full chicken-keeping experience
- Budget is your primary concern
- You have time for daily brooder maintenance
- You want specific or rare breeds
- You're not in a hurry for eggs
- You want the strongest human-bird bond
Choose Pullets If:
- You want eggs within 1-2 months
- You have a busy schedule
- You want to avoid brooding challenges
- You're getting started in spring
- You want guaranteed females
- You have moderate budget flexibility
Choose Laying Hens If:
- You need eggs immediately
- You're replacing lost birds
- You have experience assessing bird health
- Budget is less important than convenience
- You want proven layers
- You need to know personalities beforehand
Mixed-Age Flocks
Benefits of Age Diversity
- Continuous egg production: Different birds peak at different times
- Extended laying period: Overlap as older birds decline
- Natural mentorship: Older birds teach younger ones
- Flock stability: Gradual transitions rather than complete turnovers
Management Considerations
- Feed requirements: Different nutritional needs by age
- Space allocation: Ensure adequate resources for all ages
- Health monitoring: Different vulnerabilities by age group
- Integration timing: Plan additions to minimize disruption
Common Mistakes to Avoid
First-Time Buyer Errors
- Underestimating chick care: Brooding is time-intensive and critical
- Buying too many: Start small, expand based on experience
- Ignoring local ordinances: Check regulations before purchasing
- No quarantine plan: Disease introduction can devastate flocks
- Impulse purchases: Lack of preparation leads to problems
Timing Mistakes
- Winter chick purchases: Higher brooding costs, weather challenges
- Vacation conflicts: New chicks need daily attention
- Coop not ready: Housing must be prepared before bird arrival
- Feed shortage: Stock appropriate feed before birds arrive
The choice between chicks, pullets, and laying hens depends on your priorities, experience level, and situation. Each option offers distinct advantages, and there's no single "right" choice for everyone. Consider your timeline for eggs, available time for care, budget constraints, and desire for the complete chicken-raising experience.
Many successful chicken keepers eventually try all three options as they gain experience and expand their flocks. Start with the choice that best fits your current situation, and remember that you can always add different ages later as you learn what works best for your setup and lifestyle.
Next Steps
Ready to get your first birds? Review our guides on brooder setups for chicks, coop requirements, and your first 30 days with chickens.