Best time to get chicks?

[Egg Snatcher]

Struggling to figure out which time would be best to get chicks…
I want to be able to incorporate them into my current adult flock by the time it starts getting warm out. I got my first flock at the end of February, and they went out in April because March was FREEZING for me this year.
I want to get bantams (I live in the suburbs and I am also just in LOVE with bantams) but I don’t know when I should get them. Yins opinions?

I would recommend getting them in the spring around March or April. At about 5-6 months (August/September) they are ready to put with your adult flock as the bantams will be ready to lay. I breed and raise all sorts of bantams and standards together. The do just fine. Usually the bantams are more dominant than the standard and I have never had a standard kill a bantam. Bantams are very good at holding their own. I would definitely recommend you getting bantams.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

I have silkies, bantam polish and standard polish all living with my other standard breeds and other bantams breeds.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

I agree about the bantams. If you get them all as babies and raise them along with large fowl chicks, no problem. Introducing new bantams to an established flock of large chicken could well be a problem.

Also, if you were planning on getting chicks, and live in an area where roosters are not allowed, you might run into problems, too. Because bantam chicks are rarely sold sexed. Most of the time it is straight run only, though I'm sure it's possible to find them.

If you really have your heart set on bantams, maybe set up a separate coop for them if you can.

I’ve never had standards kill bantams or hurt them when they were not grown together. My bantams have always been more dominant than my standard girls and hold their own.

 

[fluffycrow]

I'm not convinced that bantams in a LF flock can't work. Sure, maybe seramas wouldn't be a good idea, but the larger ones aren't off the table, IMO. Having said that, as I was opening the door of the bantam pen a few days ago, one serama mix hen did get out, and she beat up three LF cockerels and one pullet.

As others have stated, if introduced properly, a lot of bantam breeds can work

As for which time of year is best, that's really up to what you like. If you want them out of the house quickly, mid spring sounds good. They should be out of the house by the start of summer, and they'll have a few months to learn how to chicken before the cold snaps.

A few weeks of see-no-touch work well for me when I introduce new birds, young birds especially.

Keep in mind that pecks and attacks eill still happen; the juveniles need to learn their place in the group, and to respect the personal space of their seniors

 

[JedJackson]

Space is a big issue here in determining if it will work. Make sure they have plenty of places to hide and places to jump onto if you go for it.

 

[swamphiker]

Timing depends on a few factors. I believe Meyer Hatchery sells sexed bantams, they have seasonal minimums and shipping guidelines. I like to get chicks when it's warm out so I can get them outside within a few weeks.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I integrated bantams and Polish into my original standard breed sized flock a few years back with no issues. Even little old English game bantams and fluffy D’Uccles. Zero issues. I think my bantams actually fend for themselves better than full sized. Much more feisty and capable of flying to high places out of reach.

 

[crunchygranola]

I would recommend getting them in the spring around March or April. At about 5-6 months (August/September) they are ready to put with your adult flock as the bantams will be ready to lay. I breed and raise all sorts of bantams and standards together. The do just fine. Usually the bantams are more dominant than the standard and I have never had a standard kill a bantam. Bantams are very good at holding their own. I would definitely recommend you getting bantams.

Thank you!

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I integrated bantams and Polish into my original standard breed sized flock a few years back with no issues. Even little old English game bantams and fluffy D’Uccles. Zero issues. I think my bantams actually fend for themselves better than full sized. Much more feisty and capable of flying to high places out of reach.

I have 2 little cochin bantams and they can fly to hide if needed. And are fiesty for sure

 

[GardenDmpls]

My first chickens were hatched in April as part of a three-year high school veterinary science program. I would take the chicks home at the end of June, and they would start laying the following spring. Most of my chickens (flock usually between 30-40) I bought already sexed, as New York City allows hens and not roosters. Any accidental roosters were raised and given to people who needed food and knew how to prepare them. Last year I got chicks in October. Once they were fully feathered, they went outside (December) and began laying in the Spring.
I have a chick order due next week, some of which will go to the school at the request of the program teachers (I am retired). They should be in the grow out pen inside the coop pen sometime in October. Once chicks are fully feathered, they do just fine, even if it snows. It is a good idea, when integrating them to have areas where they can fit and the older chickens can't. I would roll up the wire a bit on the grow out pen so they could run in and out. A heavy box or bin with openings large enough for the youngsters, but not the adults would work as a temporary hideout also.