Best time of year/month to get chicks?

[Twhi7]

Hi everyone!

I’m totally new to chickens but strongly considering getting some soon. I was wondering if there is a certain time of year that is best to get chicks or does it really matter? The soonest I would be able to get them is probably April.

thanks in advance!

 

[Spikeandbean]

I'd say it depends on where/how you want to get them and where you live. Shipping chicks cross-country in summer and winter can be dicey, but do-able. If you're buying them locally, though, they seem to be most available in spring. I ordered mine in March, and the earliest hatch I could get was late June. They shipped with heat packs in Ohio to triple-digit temps in NorCal (but everyone made it safely!).

 

[The Coop-D-etat]

I would have to agree with the above post. Depending on where you live will suite you best. I live in North Dakota and the winters are absolutely abusive I also ordered for mine to come in March. They will be brooded inside and by the time they move to the coop it should be warm enough (maybe) but I want to make sure they're well feathered big and healthy for next winter. It's nerve wracking regardless having something so small come through the mail. As said above your local feed stores should have some selections in store around the time people think is the season of chicks. Although apparently some places sell batches of chicks in the fall which is peculiar to me (I think its for egg production come spring..I'm not sure though.)

 

[Twhi7]

I'd say it depends on where/how you want to get them and where you live. Shipping chicks cross-country in summer and winter can be dicey, but do-able. If you're buying them locally, though, they seem to be most available in spring. I ordered mine in March, and the earliest hatch I could get was late June. They shipped with heat packs in Ohio to triple-digit temps in NorCal (but everyone made it safely!).

Good to know, thanks!

 

[Twhi7]

I would have to agree with the above post. Depending on where you live will suite you best. I live in North Dakota and the winters are absolutely abusive I also ordered for mine to come in March. They will be brooded inside and by the time they move to the coop it should be warm enough (maybe) but I want to make sure they're well feathered big and healthy for next winter. It's nerve wracking regardless having something so small come through the mail. As said above your local feed stores should have some selections in store around the time people think is the season of chicks. Although apparently some places sell batches of chicks in the fall which is peculiar to me (I think its for egg production come spring..I'm not sure though.)

Makes sense - thanks!

 

[The Coop-D-etat]

Makes sense - thanks!

Also when you do decided to get new peeping fuzzballs please share your journey! I'd love to see what kind and how many! Send pictures and updates as much as you want! I just started a thread for this cause I love and want to see other's journey with their new flock! Will be looking forward to it if you want that is

 

[poultryprofessor]

As with anything, the best time to get chicks depends. What do you want them for?

If you just want pets that happen to produce breakfast, you can get them at any time. I'd say late spring is probably best - brood them inside as it is starting to warm up and then get them outside when they feather out at 6 to 8 weeks without freezing them.

Downside to spring chicks? You won't have eggs until fall. Remember, your chicks won't start laying eggs until they mature (5-6 months of age). So, April chicks won't lay until September/October. They are likely to lay through winter, but frozen eggs aren't the most fun.

Want eggs all spring/summer to sell at a farmers market? Get ready to lay pullets in the spring or start your chicks in late summer/early fall. I have October hatched pullets doing just fine in unheated coops despite our crazy winter weather right now. The best part about fall chicks is that they'll be laying here in March/April or so just as everyone else is getting babies.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I always got them in spring. My mid April chicks usually started by the end of August, around 20 weeks. I got chicks hatched on 8/27 last fall & they started at 23 weeks and are really ramping up now. I liked fall chicks, except I raised them in the coop & the temps were down in the 30s at night for a few days when they were 3 weeks old. They did fine with their brooder plate & quit using it at 5-6 weeks. Have fun!

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

Hi everyone!

I’m totally new to chickens but strongly considering getting some soon. I was wondering if there is a certain time of year that is best to get chicks or does it really matter? The soonest I would be able to get them is probably April.

thanks in advance!

April is a great time to get time I think. Where do you live, it really depends on climate, temp and when you want them to start laying

 

[Twhi7]

Also when you do decided to get new peeping fuzzballs please share your journey! I'd love to see what kind and how many! Send pictures and updates as much as you want! I just started a thread for this cause I love and want to see other's journey with their new flock! Will be looking forward to it if you want that is

Awesome! Will do