whether to buy week old laying hens or point of lay hens

Elizabeth-Sunbury · **Joined:** Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:36 pm **Posts:** 3

I am weighing up whether to buy week old laying hens or point of lay hens. Now how I see it if I raise them from week old I will have them longer and bond with them much better but the negative would be more cost to raise them with the feed bill. With the point of lay it would be a little cheaper as I don't have to raise them but the negative would be I would not have them as long and I would not bond as well with them. I would like to know your thoughts on this please

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

You've already covered the two questions I think. Some pol's can be successfully bribed with lovely scraps to become very good friends with you. Are you thinking of just keeping them until their laying life is finished then get more pol's? Is that why your thinking you'll have them longer if you get chickens?
Honestly I've done it both ways and unless you have time to care for the week olds which will still need lights to keep them warm and chick starter first. What you save on price of the chicks will be taken up with the electricity, chick starter and your time. Don't get me wrong though if you have the time then its very rewarding to get chicks

LOOLOO · **Posted:** Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:34 am

I think sebducks has summed it up perfectly

LooLoo

Elizabeth-Sunbury · **Joined:** Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:36 pm **Posts:** 3

Yes because of a lack of room I will need to replace the hens when they stop laying so yes that is why I thought of young chicks. I do not really have a lot of time with 3 kids and a demanding husband but I would like to try. I did not consider the other costs as you point out so yes point of lay makes the better sense and I thank you very much for that. What is best used to gain the trust of the point of lay hens?

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Anything green usually, especially if they don't usually free range we give thistle, which they love. Grated carrot, some even use sultanas, bits of bread.

Elizabeth-Sunbury · **Joined:** Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:36 pm **Posts:** 3

You have been so helpful, thank you.

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