Best time of year to get chicks?

[KnightsMist]

Still just in planning stages and curious what people think. What is the best time of year to get or add new chicks? I know they don't lay for several months, and chickens generally don't lay well over the winter, so it seems like early fall would make the most sense so that they would be old enough to start laying in the spring when production would naturally pick up anyways.
But it seems spring is when people and stores get ramped up with chics. So I imagine there are elements that I am missing Thoughts??

 

[MissChick@dee]

Early spring. The weather is better for when you need to introduce them to the outside. Some people actually brood outdoors. It’s easier on young chicks when the weather is nice.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Spring, that's when they would naturally hatch.

 

[Melky]

I like early spring because the temps are nice and increase chance of survival and will likely be laying in the same year by fall. I got mine in first week of June and laid at 28 weeks breed maturity in December of same year. I would get earlier so laying in the fall. Its nice if order for when temps 60s-70s in the spring when wean off brooder heat. This way chicks have time to mature and feather in for winter after juvenile molt to prepare for colder temps. If I had to pick an ideal time it would be March-May. Figure month in the brooder minimum. Earliest to feather out 4-5 weeks.

 

[DobieLover]

Spring so they are fully grown and ready to acclimate to the cold winter. And pullets will continue to lay during their first winter.

 

[Cyprus]

I have a strong feeling this thread will eventually be featured

In my logic geared mind, October seems like the best time.
Naturally, chicks are hatched in spring. Then, of course, they will start laying in early fall.

In the mind and best interests of many species, spring is chosen as the time to propagate. This allows for new lives to be able to finish their own growing, edtablish territories, find a mate and most importantly -weed out the weak all before the next breeding season.

So yes, hens hatch in spring. That is because they are an animal thinking about survival and not about economics.

Us humans, as perfect and efficient as we like the world to run, should probably choose to hatch out chicks in early fall if and only if we want eggs in the spring but are not wholly concerned with hen health. If we want the laying females to be matured enough to avoid more complications when they start laying, then spring is a good time to hatch.

Cyprus

 

[MinniesMomma]

I can never wait for spring to arrive, last year and this year I got ( I'm going to get) my first batch of chickens in mid February. That way we can do a month inside, a month in the garage, and then move outside when the weather is nice, and still get some eggs before winter hits!

 

[imnukensc]

Chicks, at least barred rock chicks, bought in the spring that begin laying as pullets in late fall/early winter typically lay all through their first winter. My BR hen began laying around Thanksgiving in 2017 layed all through her first winter and this winter, too. Her "sister" hen took about 3 weeks off when she went into her first adult molt this past fall.

 

[KnightsMist]

And this is why I brought my question here Thank you all- looks like there *is* a method to the madness Spring it is, when the time comes!

 

[N F C]

Spring so they are fully grown and ready to acclimate to the cold winter. And pullets will continue to lay during their first winter.

x2!

If you aren't incubating eggs but need to buy from a feed store or hatchery, spring is when you have a better chance of finding the breeds you want.

If chicks have to be shipped, the warmer weather gives them a better chance of getting to you alive.