Chicks vs. Started Pullets: Which Is Better for First-Time Chicken Owners?

So, you've decided you want backyard chickens. How exciting!

Maybe you're dreaming of gathering fresh eggs every morning, teaching your kids about caring for animals, or simply enjoying the personalities of a few feathered friends in your backyard.

But before you bring home your first flock, there's one important decision to make:

Should you start with baby chicks or started pullets?

While those adorable little fluffballs at the feed store might be hard to resist, raising baby chicks requires a little more time, equipment, and hands-on care than many beginners realize.

Started pullets, on the other hand, offer a wonderful opportunity to begin your chicken-keeping journey with birds that have already made it through their most delicate early weeks.

Here at Izaak's Happy Hens, we love helping families discover the joys of backyard chicken keeping. Whether you're considering baby chicks or slightly older pullets, understanding the differences can help you choose the best fit for your family, backyard, and lifestyle.

Let's break it all down!

First, what's the difference between chicks and started pullets?

Baby chicks

Typically newly hatched to several weeks old, still developing their feathers and ability to regulate body temperature.

Started pullets

Young female chickens that have been raised beyond the earliest chick stage but haven't started laying eggs.

A baby chick starts life covered in soft down feathers. During her first several weeks, she'll gradually develop adult-style feathers, learn to forage, and become more independent.

Because young chicks can't regulate their body temperature as effectively as older chickens, they generally need a carefully managed brooder with supplemental heat.

A started pullet is a young female chicken that has already received some of that early care. The term can refer to different ages depending on the seller, so it's always important to ask exactly how old the birds are.

At Izaak's Happy Hens, our started pullets are typically 6–8 weeks old, fully feathered, and raised in outdoor conditions, giving new chicken owners a head start without having to manage those delicate first weeks themselves.

However, started pullets are still growing chickens. They aren't fully mature laying hens and will continue needing age-appropriate food, shelter, protection, and attention.

Chicks vs. started pullets: A side-by-side comparison

Both options can lead to a wonderful backyard flock. The biggest difference is how much of the early raising process you'll be responsible for.

1. Baby chicks require a brooder and more equipment

One of the biggest surprises for new chicken owners is that baby chicks can't simply be placed outside in a coop immediately after purchase.

Young chicks need a warm, dry, secure brooding environment while they develop their feathers.

A typical brooder setup includes:

• A secure, well-ventilated brooder enclosure

• A properly sized, safely installed brooder heat source

• A reliable thermometer

• Chick starter feed

• Chick-sized feeders and waterers

• Clean, absorbent bedding

• Enough space for chicks to move toward or away from the heat

• Daily monitoring and cleaning

Newly hatched chicks generally need a warm area around 90–95°F during their first week. The recommended temperature is gradually reduced as they grow, while their behavior helps indicate whether they're comfortable. 

You'll also need to watch for issues such as dehydration, pasty butt, temperature stress, and signs of illness.

For someone who enjoys hands-on animal care, raising chicks can be incredibly rewarding!

But for busy families or first-time chicken owners, the equipment and early monitoring can feel a little overwhelming.

The started pullet advantage: When you purchase healthy, fully feathered pullets that are ready for your local conditions, you can often skip purchasing and managing a traditional chick brooder entirely.

You'll still need a secure coop and run, but much of the early setup and temperature management has already been handled for you.

2. Started pullets make the transition to outdoor living easier

One of the most exciting milestones in raising baby chicks is watching them grow their feathers and become ready for outdoor life.

Depending on the breed, individual development, weather, and conditions, chicks often become fully feathered around 6–8 weeks old.

At that point, many can begin transitioning to outdoor housing without supplemental heat, provided nighttime temperatures are appropriate and the birds have been acclimated gradually.

However, being fully feathered doesn't automatically mean a young chicken can tolerate every outdoor temperature.

This is particularly important here in Arizona!

Extreme summer heat creates challenges for chickens of all ages. Even birds that have been raised outdoors need abundant shade, fresh water, ventilation, and protection from overheating.

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension emphasizes shade, water, and ventilation as three of the most important protections during hot weather. 

Why outdoor-raised pullets can be helpful in Arizona

At Izaak's Happy Hens, we raise our started pullets outdoors with heavy shade and attention to our local climate.

This helps them become familiar with outdoor conditions before heading to their new homes.

Of course, outdoor acclimation is not the same as immunity to heat. Young chickens can still overheat quickly, especially during an Arizona summer.

When bringing home pullets, always prepare a shaded, secure space, provide cool drinking water, and introduce them gradually to their new surroundings.

3. Baby chicks may cost less upfront, but there's more to consider

Baby chicks are usually less expensive to purchase than started pullets.

At first glance, that makes them seem like the more affordable option.

However, the purchase price is only one part of your total investment.

When raising chicks yourself, you're also responsible for the costs of brooding equipment, bedding, feed, electricity, and the time required to care for them during their earliest weeks.

Started pullets generally cost more because the person raising them has already invested in feed, housing, equipment, and daily care.

Here's an example of how to think about the difference:

For someone planning to raise chickens repeatedly, investing in brooding equipment may make perfect sense.

But if you're starting with just three or four backyard hens, purchasing started pullets can sometimes be a more practical choice, even with their higher upfront price.

4. Started pullets have made it through some of their most delicate weeks

One of the biggest responsibilities of raising baby chicks is protecting them during their earliest stage of development.

Young chicks are particularly sensitive to temperature changes, dehydration, and certain health problems.

They require consistent care while developing their immune systems and adjusting to their environment.

By the time a chicken reaches 6–8 weeks of age, she has already passed through several important developmental milestones.

She's likely more mobile, more independent, and better able to regulate her body temperature than a newly hatched chick.

This doesn't mean older pullets can't become sick. They absolutely can, and good sanitation, nutrition, biosecurity, and health monitoring are still essential.

However, starting with healthy older birds means you're taking on fewer of the challenges associated specifically with newly hatched chicks.

When purchasing any chicken, always ask about its health history, vaccinations, age, and the conditions in which it was raised.

5. You'll generally have a better idea of whether you're getting hens

For many first-time backyard chicken owners, the goal is simple: a small flock of friendly hens that lay fresh eggs.

But determining whether a young chick is male or female isn't always easy!

Some chick breeds or crosses can be sexed at hatch using specific genetic traits. Others may require professional vent sexing or simply more time to develop visible differences.

Even professionally sexed chicks aren't guaranteed to be female.

As chickens grow, certain physical characteristics, such as comb development, feather patterns, and behavior, can make identifying males and females easier.

By 6–8 weeks, sex identification is often more reliable for many breeds, although some remain difficult to distinguish until they're older.

The started pullet advantage: You're purchasing a bird that has had additional time to develop, making it possible for an experienced breeder to assess its sex more confidently.

6. Started pullets are closer to laying their first eggs

Let's talk about one of the most exciting reasons people decide to raise backyard chickens: fresh eggs!

Depending on the breed, genetics, season, nutrition, and environment, many pullets begin laying around 18–24 weeks of age.

Some breeds begin earlier, while others may not lay their first egg until 24–30 weeks or longer.

When you purchase day-old chicks, you could be waiting approximately five to seven months for those first eggs.

When you bring home 6–8-week-old started pullets, you've already skipped several weeks of that waiting period.

That means you're one step closer to collecting your first beautiful backyard eggs!

Keep in mind that a started pullet isn't the same as a point-of-lay pullet. A 6–8-week-old pullet still has months of growing to do before reaching laying age. 

And while waiting for those first eggs can require patience, it's also one of the sweetest parts of the chicken-keeping experience.

7. Raising baby chicks has its own special rewards

With all these advantages of started pullets, you might be wondering why anyone would choose baby chicks.

The answer is simple: raising chicks can be a wonderful experience!

There's something incredibly special about watching a tiny ball of fluff grow into a beautiful, independent chicken.

For families with children, raising chicks can create opportunities to learn about animal development, patience, responsibility, and the importance of gentle care.

And for someone who genuinely enjoys the raising process, managing a brooder and watching chicks grow may be part of the fun.

Baby chicks may be the right choice for you if:

• You want to experience every stage of chicken development.

• You have the time and space to manage a brooder.

• You're comfortable monitoring young birds closely.

• You already own chick-raising equipment.

• You enjoy hands-on learning and animal husbandry.

There truly isn't one right answer for every family.

The best choice is the one that fits your experience, schedule, resources, and goals.

Which is better for first-time chicken owners?

If you're completely new to raising chickens, we generally recommend starting with healthy, fully feathered pullets.

They allow you to enjoy many of the wonderful parts of chicken ownership while skipping some of the most time-intensive early brooding responsibilities.

Choose baby chicks if...

You want the full chick-raising experience, enjoy hands-on animal care, and have the equipment, time, and experience to provide consistent brooder management.

Choose started pullets if...

You want a more beginner-friendly introduction to chicken keeping, prefer to skip the earliest brooding stage, and want birds that are already several weeks closer to laying eggs.

Remember, even older pullets still need attention, regular health checks, proper nutrition, and secure housing. They're simply further along in their development when you bring them home.

Preparing to bring home your first started pullets

Before picking up your new chickens, make sure your backyard is ready to welcome them!

An important feeding reminder: 6–8-week-old pullets are still growing and generally need a suitable starter/grower or grower feed, not a standard high-calcium layer ration intended for laying hens. 

Frequently asked questions about chicks and started pullets

Are 6–8-week-old pullets ready to live outside?

Many fully feathered pullets can live outdoors at this age if temperatures are appropriate, they've been properly acclimated, and they have secure, weather-protected housing. Always consider local daytime and nighttime conditions rather than relying on age alone.

Do started pullets still need a heat lamp?

Not necessarily. Fully feathered pullets that are acclimated to suitable outdoor temperatures often no longer need supplemental heat. However, unusually cold weather, incomplete feathering, or health concerns may change their requirements.

Can you mix started pullets with adult chickens?

Yes, but introductions should be gradual. Quarantine new arrivals before introducing them to an established flock, and use a separate enclosure so the birds can become accustomed to each other safely. Young pullets may be vulnerable to bullying from larger adult hens.

How many started pullets should a beginner buy?

For many first-time chicken owners, starting with three to five pullets is a manageable choice, provided local regulations, space, and budget allow. Chickens are social animals and should not be raised alone.

Are started pullets guaranteed to be female?

Not always. Sex identification is generally easier as birds mature, but mistakes can still happen, particularly with certain breeds. Ask your breeder about their sexing methods and policies.

How long until a 6–8-week-old pullet starts laying eggs?

Many common laying breeds begin producing eggs around 18–24 weeks of age, although some take longer. A 6–8-week-old pullet might therefore need another 10–18 weeks or more before laying her first egg.

Start your chicken-keeping journey with Izaak's Happy Hens

Whether you're dreaming of a basket filled with colorful eggs or simply looking forward to having a few feathered friends in the backyard, raising chickens can be one of the most rewarding experiences.

Here at Izaak's Happy Hens, we're a small, family-run backyard farm in Tempe, Arizona, with a whole lot of love for our chickens.

We know how exciting it is to welcome your first flock, and we want that experience to feel joyful rather than overwhelming.

That's why we offer started pullets that have been lovingly raised through their early weeks, allowing new chicken owners to skip much of the brooding process and begin their journey with growing, fully feathered birds.

Our pullets are typically 6–8 weeks old and raised outdoors with shade, regular care, and attention to their health and development.

Whether you're choosing a beautiful Easter Egger, a friendly Buff Orpington, or an Olive Egger for those gorgeous green eggs, we're happy to help you find the right additions for your backyard.

Ready to begin your chicken-keeping adventure?

Explore our available started pullets and discover the beautiful breeds we raise right here in Tempe.

Happy chicken keeping, from our little backyard farm to yours!

With love,

Izaak & Mama ❤️🐔

Resources & further reading

Preparing for your first backyard flock? We recommend exploring educational resources from the University of Minnesota Extension for guidance on raising chicks and pullets, the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension for information on choosing between chicks and started pullets, and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for backyard chicken care during Arizona's extreme summer temperatures. You can also explore our educational resources at Izaak's Happy Hens for helpful beginner guides, chicken breed information, and tips for raising a happy, healthy flock.