Are fall chicks a bad idea in Zone 5?

[thecatumbrella]

I like her. She's where I got the idea to brood in a tent with my first batch (which was a really good experience), and where I got SUPER confused about lighting for fall chicks. In fact, my comment is posted on her website at the bottom of that article - it's a big, long question about her lighting recommendation and how the heck it's supposed to work. In her answer, she really didn't know either, she was going by what Gail Damerow's book says on the subject (which is also super confusing). I ended up asking Michigan State University Poultry Extension and they said to keep out-of-season chicks/pullets at 10 on/14 off until POL (after week 16) and then increase by 30 min each week until you reach 14-16 hours of light, but I think that's assuming they will be on artificial lights the whole time (like for egg factories, because that's the only thing we can get any real research on). Anyway, I think The Featherbrain is a great resource, and I like that she attempts to follow the science (it's just that sometimes the science isn't applicable for "Backyarders" ).

I wish she had a BYC account (or maybe she does incognito? ). I appreciate a good bird nerd that likes to dive into all the little niche topics that come up in chicken keeping.

I found a lady on Youtube that does it and she lives in a colder climate than I do. Her name is The Garden Nextdoor if you want to look her up.

I'll check her out, thanks!

 

[BoundlessLove]

Hey, Cat.
Did y’all decide to get some chicks for fall?

 

[thecatumbrella]

Hey, Cat.
Did y’all decide to get some chicks for fall?

Sadly, no. We were torn about ordering through Mt Healthy, since they carry the breeds we want year-round (including SPECKLED SUSSEX ), but you wouldn't believe this...

Both this week and last week have freezing overnight temps only on the days I'd need to ship them. It's unseasonably warm otherwise. Guess it wasn't meant to be. At least this gives me more time to fix the coop and run situation.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Sadly, no. We were torn about ordering through Mt Healthy, since they carry the breeds we want year-round (including SPECKLED SUSSEX ), but you wouldn't believe this...

Both this week and last week have freezing overnight temps only on the days I'd need to ship them. It's unseasonably warm otherwise. Guess it wasn't meant to be. At least this gives me more time to fix the coop and run situation.

Oh no! Well, no it was not meant to be right now. But, at least you can work on everything and have plenty of time and not be rushed.