How to choose healthy pullets?

[Nicho1]

Hopefully, within the next couple of weeks, I want to purchase some pullets and a rooster for the chicken house I am making. I have selected Buff Orpingtons or Barred Rocks. Through the use of the agricultural newspaper, I am going to go to an individual to buy the chickens rather than order. When I saw the cost to ship pullets, it was a no-brainer for me to buy locally. I plan to get 4 pullets and 1 rooster. The flock will build itself from there. Anyway, having little experience, would someone provide me some things to look for when purchasing. The general well being of the birds may be evident by their feathers, etc., as well as noticing the general environment but if there is a "trick" to finding good birds, I'd surely like to know. The rooster part is of particular concern because the neighbors have a bantam rooster that is continually spurring me. I have used a water sprayer to keep him away. If I had a bird like that, it would be chicken and noodles for supper. Anyway, maybe there isn't anything to prevent a poor selection but surely all roosters won't be aggressive, will they? I picked these two breeds due to their "quiet" temperment. Thanks for the help!

[CrossCreekTX]

Barred Rock roos are frequently aggressive. Buff Orps can be, but most people seem to find them easy to get along with.

When choosing a cockerel, take some grain with you. Drop a few grains on the ground and watch the birds. A good one will call "oh ladies, here is something good to eat" and will peck around the grain or pick it up and drop it while calling the pullets. The ones that rush greedily to get all they can are not the best for roosters.

Look for clear, bright eyes. Vent should be clean. Check the feather shaft for lice. All feathers should be dry, not bedraggled looking. Legs should be smooth, not bumpy or dry and scaly. Check for nasal discharge. Pick up a few and hold them near your ear. You should not be able to hear them breath. Heft a few and choose the ones that are pretty much the same in weight so you avoid unthrifty birds.

I'd kick that bantam so hard he wouldn't land in this county if he came after me on my property. I do not tolerate mean birds.

[Martinhouse]

If these are grown birds, it might be hard to tell their condition this time of year. If they are molting, they will look horrible no matter how healthy they are!

The only rooster who ever spurred me was a game hen's mixed offspring. He went to rooster heaven within five minutes.

Not sure, but I t hink wading around in the flock and practically hand feedong might sway some of the ones that would otherwise be borderline aggressive. But I've seen that badgering them all the time can make them worse.

My dad used to tease one little leghorn rooster who'd been a pet, and he got mean. (The rooster!)

Carol

[Nicho1]

THanks, CrossCreekTX and Martinhouse for your thoughts. This should be fun!