[billathome65]

OK the hen house is here and I just need to construct it etc. What is the best age to get hens from?? Chicks or just before they start to lay??

Cheers Bill

[arugula]

I would suggest point of lay onwards, otherwise you're feeding chicks without getting eggs back until they are old enough to lay. Even better, rescued ex-batts.

[PaulineM]

Hi
Definitely try to get Point of Lay to start with, you will then be sure you have got girls and not roosters.  

[Craig69]

I was new to keeping hens last year!

I decised to get POL hens which were just over 18 weeks old to start with, to see if i could manage.
Found out they are no problem at all & are very easy to look after!

I would like to get some chicks & have ago a hatching a few, & plan on this some point this year if i can!

[jinty1911]

Defo POL then you don't have to get rid of the boys.  Have read that ex batts can have various problems and not really suitable for a beginner. 
Jinty

[joyfull]

For a newbie to chicken keeping then I would suggest point of lay, get three and choose a hardy breed something perhaps like a blackrock, bluebelle and gold line. Getting ex batts is very commendable but can be a steep learning curve and can prove quite costly.

[billathome65]

And the winner is POL thanks. Now can I keep ferets in the same run??


  ONLY JOKING       

[joyfull]

And the winner is POL thanks. Now can I keep ferets in the same run??
   

yes but only for about a minute 

[billathome65]

And the winner is POL thanks. Now can I keep ferets in the same run??
   

yes but only for about a minute