February too early?

[beakkeeper]

I am wanting to order chicks the minute they are available from MPC. Their ship date would be Feb. 23. The reasons I want to receive chicks at this time is a/ I'm on break from school that week and b/ the breeds I want, I am told, sell out fast.

My question is, is this date too early? I live in MN, and last year we had snow on Easter and into late April. I can keep the birds in the basement for 6 weeks, then the garage for a few weeks, then if necessary, in the coop with a heating element of some sort. Will they be OK, or should I wait for spring break to order?

(I'm sure you can guess what i want you to say--the earlier the better

)

 

[first time farmer]

I want to do the same thing. I think I going to order them and keep them in the house for awhile. I live in NH so i have some of the same issues with snow you do. I want to get them early so they will be laying by summer so i think I am going to just go ahead and order them. Anyway thats what I am going to do i hope it helped

 

[Crazy_For_Chickens]

Hi,
I live in Minnesota too. I would wait until spring because that is what I am doing. I think that I am going to get chickens in April. Well thats what I would do. Hope that helps.


CFC

 

[swtangel321]

Quote:
Where in NH are you ?? What breed are you looking for ?

 

[first time farmer]

I live close to manchester about 15 min outside in Bedford and I am looking for Barred Rocks. Where are you in nh

 

[BayCityBabe]

Ooooooh! I'd wait. Chicken smell in the house is not for the faint of heart. I had 30 5-week olds in my basement in a closed off area - with an air cleaner machine, no less. Cleaned the brooder daily. The smell was just yucky. I live in Michigan, got my chicks in early May & felt awful putting them outside in June. Remember, we Northerners can have 40-50 degree nights all Spring. Also, it is sooo cute to take some 5 or 6 week olds out to explore the grass. You won't have warm enough weather for that.

 

[swtangel321]

Quote:
I will PM you.... I have a whole flock of BR's

 

[sydneypotatoe]

im a new farmer and i know i have my eggs aready and i live in north california and there living inside though but i dont know if i have to put them outside when the hatch(after there first week)

 

[Sissy]

Sidney, Lived in ur beautiful state 30 years. and
No... I would keep them in, at least for the first 3 weeks.
I use a large cardboard box to keep them in
easy to toss after use.
no muss, less fuss.
welcome to BYC

 

[Mrs MIA]

If you have a way to keep them warm until they can go outside, and don't mind the risk of them getting too cold during shipping, then go for it.