Bad time to start?

[Runkrod]

I finally closed on my new home with three acres to begin my long time dream/desire/crackpot idea of having chickens and what-not. (Chickens are the gate-way animal, after all). I'd be looking at probably august or even september before I'm ready to take on this project so am compelled to ask if there is a reason to not start so late in the summer with chicks? Seems that everything I've read sings the praises of "spring chickens" and everyone is flush with egg/chicks in the spring, but not so much in summer. Is there a downside to start this late in the season? Is there a reason I should wait to next spring that I'm not seeing?
Thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The only downside is keeping water thawed for birds that aren't laying yet.
I like starting chicks in September/October because they're well feathered by the time freezing weather hits and they are laying very early in spring. Birds started in spring don't start laying till late summer or fall.

 

[Percheron chick]

No reason to not start in Aug. They won't have any problems with your winters. They won't start laying until about March but If you start chicks in March than you won't have eggs until Aug. You will also have them to do bug control all next spring and summer which is an added value.

Keep your eye on CL. Around me there are often chickens dumped as we go in to winter because people just don't want to do the work when it's cold out. Gets you in eggs right away while the little ones grow up.

 

[subhanalah]

No reason to not start in Aug.  They won't have any problems with your winters.  They won't start laying until about March but If you start chicks in March than you won't have eggs until Aug.  You will also have them to do bug control all next spring and summer which is an added value.

Keep your eye on CL.  Around me there are often chickens dumped as we go in to winter because people just don't want to do the work when it's cold out.  Gets you in eggs right away while the little ones grow up.

just be sure to follow strict biosecurity protocol.

 

[bendavbar999]

No reason not to

 

[bendavbar999]

And it will be good for the winter

 

[RJSorensen]

I had the same dilemma last year, wanted birds in the fall, but I waited until spring, With your new house and things to do around it to make it yours and other unseen items and tasks, I would advise you to hold off until next spring. You will need a coop and a run and a bunch of supplies, feeders, waterers and so forth. The rush I was put in by the season changing faster than I needed it to, puts a lot of pressure on you for not.

You can start now and enjoy the whole experience, figure out how many birds you want and build a coop, get the feeders and other hardware on fall closeout. Get everything you might need except for feed. That is a part of the experience you should be able to enjoy without the pressure of having to get the chicks out of the house, and nowhere to put them. They grow very fast, you will be stunned at how there size keeps doubling over and over.

So decide on a management plan, a breed(s), and figure out just exactly what it is you expect from the venture. Be ready to throw all of the best laid plans of mice and men out the window several times. Birds on hand push you, and I feel that is not good for them nor you. If you get your ducks in a row you can order all of the birds you think you want from the hatchery just after Christmas and they won't be sold out. And that stings when your plan is changed for you by things outside your control.

Anyway I see I am the lone nay vote, but just wanted to share my thoughts, reasons, and what I did.

Best to you in your choice and future flock,

RJ

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I had the same dilemma last year, wanted birds in the fall, but I waited until spring, With your new house and things to do around it to make it yours and other unseen items and tasks, I would advise you to hold off until next spring. You will need a coop and a run and a bunch of supplies, feeders, waterers and so forth. The rush I was put in by the season changing faster than I needed it to, puts a lot of pressure on you for not.

You can start now and enjoy the whole experience, figure out how many birds you want and build a coop, get the feeders and other hardware on fall closeout. Get everything you might need except for feed. That is a part of the experience you should be able to enjoy without the pressure of having to get the chicks out of the house, and nowhere to put them. They grow very fast, you will be stunned at how there size keeps doubling over and over.

So decide on a management plan, a breed(s), and figure out just exactly what it is you expect from the venture. Be ready to throw all of the best laid plans of mice and men out the window several times. Birds on hand push you, and I feel that is not good for them nor you. If you get your ducks in a row you can order all of the birds you think you want from the hatchery just after Christmas and they won't be sold out. And that stings when your plan is changed for you by things outside your control.

Anyway I see I am the lone nay vote, but just wanted to share my thoughts, reasons, and what I did.

Best to you in your choice and future flock,

RJ

That's all good advice. I just meant that winter wasn't a serious impediment as long as they prepared for a way to keep water thawed.

 

[Sylviaanne]

I had the same dilemma last year, wanted birds in the fall, but I waited until spring, With your new house and things to do around it to make it yours and other unseen items and tasks, I would advise you to hold off until next spring. You will need a coop and a run and a bunch of supplies, feeders, waterers and so forth. The rush I was put in by the season changing faster than I needed it to, puts a lot of pressure on you for not.

You can start now and enjoy the whole experience, figure out how many birds you want and build a coop, get the feeders and other hardware on fall closeout. Get everything you might need except for feed. That is a part of the experience you should be able to enjoy without the pressure of having to get the chicks out of the house, and nowhere to put them. They grow very fast, you will be stunned at how there size keeps doubling over and over.

So decide on a management plan, a breed(s), and figure out just exactly what it is you expect from the venture. Be ready to throw all of the best laid plans of mice and men out the window several times. Birds on hand push you, and I feel that is not good for them nor you. If you get your ducks in a row you can order all of the birds you think you want from the hatchery just after Christmas and they won't be sold out. And that stings when your plan is changed for you by things outside your control.

Anyway I see I am the lone nay vote, but just wanted to share my thoughts, reasons, and what I did.

Best to you in your choice and future flock,

RJ

RJ: Sometimes the "lone nay vote" needs to be said so all options are considered. Some of us (me included, especially) don't stop to think everything through before they jump. Thanks.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi and

,
RJ has great advice well worth reading. There is a third option. Start out with started birds.
esp. if you want quality stock. Lots of breeders will be thinning their flocks for over wintering.
They will be selling off lovely Spring hatched birds. Which they have raised, and culled for
quality at least once. Just because it is not show quality for them, doesn't mean it can't be
a fine breeding bird. And...you have a much better idea what the bird is going to be when
an adult. Plus since it was Spring hatched, you will be on track to hatch out Spring chicks with
the rest of us next Spring.
It's a great way to get quality birds and redeem the time lost while getting into your new home.
I started out multiple times with eggs and chicks. What frustration ! It wasn't until this time
when I started out with started birds that I had success. What breed (s) are you seeking?
Best Success,
Karen and the Light Sussex in western PA, USA