Input on new chickens please

[Hex]

We have decided to take the plunge and get some chickens.  Obviously doing some research first and have a couple of books to read.  DH has kept them before so knows a lot more than I do.  We have plenty of space, etc and I have the time to look after them.

I have been offered some year old Bronze Marans for £4.50 each.  Is this a good price?  Are they good birds?  What disadvantages are there to buying a year old bird against a four month old point of lay one?

Any help/advice gratefully received.

[Hex]

[Philbasford]

personally i would get some birds when they were young rather then older.

[growmore]

I agree with Phil.I think  point of lay hens are the best to buy ..They will more than make up for the extra they wil cost you by the eggs you will get in the first year ..Also buying them POL you know exactly how old they are ...

[Hex]

Thank you both.

[kt.]

I agree with buying point of lay. You would benefit from paying a little extra to get good livestock. I don't know much about hen types for fattening for the pot. Most hens for egg laying will lay intensively for an average of 12 months, then declining for a further 6. These usually cost £4-6 each depending what you buy.

I bought 6 White Leghorns and 6 Blackrock hens for egg laying. They priced at £9 each but I got them for £7 each due to buying so many. Both breeds lay almost daily for 5 years or more, an average of 280-300 LARGE eggs per hen per annum. Paying a little extra for longer productivity is better. Most of my lottie counterparts who have hens are not getting any eggs due to the cold weather, but I am still getting 8-10 daily.