Raising healthy, productive laying hens starts long before the first egg appears. For many backyard flock owners, the weeks of brooding, heat-lamp management, and early-stage care can feel overwhelming or simply too time-consuming. The Mill’s Ready-To-Lay Pullet Program is a great alternative for both new and experienced poultry keepers. With January pick-up available, flock owners can step into the new year with confidence, knowing their birds are well-started, expertly raised, and prepared for a productive laying season.
What Are Ready-To-Lay Pullets?
Ready-to-lay pullets are young female chickens that are just a few weeks away from laying their first egg, which typically occurs at around 16–20 weeks of age. At this stage, they have completed the brooding and juvenile growth phases and are transitioning into reproductive maturity.
Because The Mill sources strong, healthy pullets from reputable regional partners, customers receive birds that are well-feathered, fully acclimated, and primed for a smooth transition into their coop.
Benefits of Purchasing Ready-To-Lay Pullets
1. Skip the Brooding Phase Entirely
The brooding stage brings rewarding moments but also requires close monitoring of temperature, cleanliness, nutrition, and safety. Ready-to-lay pullets remove that workload completely.
Customers bring home birds that are past their most vulnerable developmental stages, giving them peace of mind and a clean, easy start to raising laying hens.
2. Faster Access to Fresh Eggs
With pullets only weeks away from laying, flock owners can enjoy fresh eggs sooner.
For individuals who want immediate productivity without months of waiting, this is one of the most compelling reasons to choose ready-to-lay birds.
3. Stronger, More Predictable Start
Pullets sourced through The Mill’s program are raised with consistent nutrition, clean living conditions, and careful flock management.
This sets birds up for:
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Reliable laying performance
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Healthy body condition
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Smooth adaptation to their new environment
Customers skip the guesswork and start with quality birds already on the right track.
4. Reduced Risk of Loss
Chicks can be fragile, and early mortality is not uncommon without strict brooder management. Ready-to-lay pullets arrive fully feathered, robust, and capable of regulating their own body temperature.
This significantly reduces risk and is ideal for beginners or families.
5. Better Winter Integration
January pick-up means new pullets can settle into their coop well before spring. As daylight increases, hens naturally ramp up egg production.
Starting with birds at point-of-lay, positions customers for a strong early-season egg yield as soon as nature allows.
6. Perfect for Expanding Existing Flocks
Whether a flock experienced loss over the past year or an owner wants to increase egg output, ready-to-lay pullets blend easily with established birds. Introducing new birds to an existing flock should always be done gradually, but the size, hardiness and maturity of started, ready-to-lay pullets should make integration safer and more successful than if introducing smaller chicks.
Why Buy Ready-To-Lay Pullets From The Mill?
As a trusted local resource for poultry feed, supplies, and education, The Mill takes pride in offering birds raised to high standards of health and care. Customers benefit from:
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Healthy pullets raised by expert partners
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Convenient January pick-up date
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Knowledgeable staff ready to guide flock owners at every stage
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Access to high-quality feed such as Nutrena’s NatureWise Layer diets, Feather Fixer, and specialty supplements
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A focus on community education and long-term flock success
Each pullet purchase is supported by the same expertise and customer care that makes The Mill a regional leader in backyard poultry.
Tips for Preparing Your Coop Before Pick-Up
To give new pullets the best start, flock owners should prepare their space in advance:
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Ensure the coop is clean, secure, and draft-free
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Provide adequate roosting space
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Offer a balanced layer diet or starter-to-layer transition feed
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Supply fresh water daily and monitor intake
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Introduce new birds during the evening to reduce flock stress
The Mill’s poultry team is always available to help customers determine the right feed, bedding, and care supplies for their setup.
Secure Your Ready-To-Lay Pullets Today
The Mill’s Ready-To-Lay Pullet Program offers a convenient, dependable, and beginner-friendly way to start a flock or boost current flock egg production. With limited quantities available for January pick-up, customers are encouraged to pre-order early to reserve their pullets.
A productive, enjoyable chicken-keeping season begins with a strong foundation—and ready-to-lay pullets from The Mill provide exactly that.
