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Decision Making

Point-of-Lay vs Day-Old Chicks

Should you start with day-old chicks or buy point-of-lay pullets? It depends on three things.

SabiSense Editorial•6/7/2026•Poultry

Day-old chicks

  • Cheaper per bird, but 18 weeks of feed before income.
  • You control vaccination and brooding quality.
  • Higher mortality risk for first-timers.

Point-of-lay (POL)

  • Income within weeks, not months.
  • 2.5–3x the per-bird cost.
  • You inherit the previous farmer's vaccination history — verify it.

Pick based on

  • Capital available now vs over 5 months.
  • Experience — first-time farmers often do better starting with POL.
  • Cash flow needs — POL gives faster turnover.