Which Came First? The Chicken, or the Egg?

For me, the egg came first. Hatching eggs, that is, to start my own flock of Blue Jersey Giants. Soon after, adult chickens were added. So, which is better to start off with: eggs, chicks, started birds or adult birds?

Let's take a closer look at good and bad aspects of each option:

Hatching Eggs
Good                                                            Bad
  +Least expensive start                                -Eggs may get damaged in shipping
  +Less likely to bring disease to                  -Not all breeders know how to package eggs
    your existing flock                                    -You never now how many birds
  +You get to have the fun of hatching             will or won't hatch
    chicks yourself                                          -You have to rely on your incubator,
                                                                           skills to run it, for your success


Day-old Chicks
Good                                                              Bad
  +Least expensive live-bird startup                -Chicks aren't ready to go outside
  +You know how many birds you have          -Chicks require more care
  +You don't have to incubate eggs                     than growers or adults
  +You may be able to choose COLORS         -You may not be able to sex birds
                                                                          -Chicks are more susceptible to
                                                                              predators than older birds


Started Birds or Growers
Good                                                               Bad
  +Still less expensive than adults                    -You don't get to raise the birds
  +Less expensive to ship than adults                   from hatchlings
  +You will be able to select color/sex             -More expensive than chicks or eggs
      of birds sent to you                                      -You may not be able to determine
                                                                               what birds will grow up to be


Adult Birds
Good                                                                Bad
  +You don't have to worry what the                -Will cost the most to ship
      bird(s) will grow up to look like                -Will cost more than younger birds
  +You don't have to wait for eggs                   -Harder to find than eggs or chicks
  +You don't have to brood babies                    -Fewer breeders willing to ship
  +Adults will tolerate cold better                        or sell adult birds
  +Less susceptible than chicks to some           -You do not get to raise them
    predators                                                        -Hens will typically cost more than roosters


Basically, it is ultimately up to you to decide whether to start off with hatching eggs, chicks, growers or adult birds. Hatching eggs are typically the most available, and adult birds the least available. If you want birds to eat, I would suggest hatching eggs or chicks so you can have all the extra roosters. If you want a small starter flock, like a trio, it may be easier to go with older growers or adult birds.

Some people like to watch chicks hatch and raise babies, others would prefer just to have hens of laying age.

I hope this webpage helps you to decide what might be best for you.


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