Day-Old Chicks vs. Started Pullets: Which Should You Buy?
Short answer: Buy day-old chicks if you want the lowest cost per bird, the widest breed choice and the fun of raising them from the start. Buy started pullets if you want eggs sooner, don't want to run a brooder, or only need a few hens.
Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery in Preston, Maryland sells both. Here is how they compare.
Quick comparison
| Day-old chicks | Started pullets | |
|---|---|---|
| Age when you get them | Hatch week | 12–16 weeks |
| Price per bird | From about $4 | $44.99–$69.99 |
| Brooder and heat lamp needed | Yes, for about 6 weeks | No |
| Time to first egg | About 4–6 months | Often a few weeks to a few months, depending on breed |
| Sex | Pullet (female), straight run or cockerel | Female |
| Minimum shipped order | 6 chicks, mix and match breeds | 2 pullets per box |
| Shipping | From $39.95 | From $59.95 for 2 |
| Local pickup | Free, Wednesday after hatch | Free |
When day-old chicks make more sense
- You want more birds for less money. A flock of 15 chicks costs a fraction of 15 pullets, and 15–25 chicks gets our lowest live-chick shipping rate.
- You want a specific or rare breed. We hatch 21 breeds as day-old chicks, more than we offer as pullets.
- You want friendly birds. Chicks handled daily from the first week tend to be the calmest adults.
- You have the setup. You'll need a warm, draft-free brooder for the first several weeks. See our brooder setup guide.
When started pullets make more sense
- You want eggs this season. Pullets arrive at 12–16 weeks. Fast-maturing breeds like Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns often start laying at 16–20 weeks. Slower breeds like Brahmas can take 28–32 weeks.
- You don't want a brooder in the house. Pullets are past the fragile heat-lamp stage.
- You only need two to four hens. Pullets ship two per box, so small flocks are easy.
- You want to skip the guesswork on sex. Pullets are old enough that you start with hens.
What does it really cost to get to the first egg?
Chicks cost less up front, but you'll buy a brooder, heat source, chick starter feed and bedding, and feed them for about 4–6 months before the first egg. Pullets cost more per bird, but most of that early feed and equipment is already behind them. For a small backyard flock the totals often end up closer than people expect. For a flock of a dozen or more, chicks are almost always cheaper.
Common questions
Are started pullets guaranteed to be female? Our chicks are vent-sexed by a professional with over 90% accuracy, and no hatchery can guarantee 100%. See our rooster policy for how we handle errors.
Can I order chicks and pullets together? They ship separately because they travel in different boxes. Local pickup is free for both.
Which is better for kids? Both work. Chicks give kids the full experience of raising birds. Pullets are sturdier for small hands to hold right away.
Are your birds NPIP certified? Yes. Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery is NPIP certified under number 51-770.