Getting new pullets in fall - bad idea?

[imthedude]

Hey all

There are some 12-week old Delawares advertised on Craigslist in our area. Bad idea to get pullets in the fall or is it generally OK? Will they take longer to start laying given the short days of fall/winter? Any other things besides obvious quarantine/new bird issues?

TIA

 

[Ridgerunner]

Can't say if they will lay in another 8 to 12 weeks or wait until spring. The might do either. But if you get them now, they will lay in the spring. You will not have to get young chicks, raise them, and wait until late summer for them to start laying. At 12 weeks, you should be able to sex them.

 

[donrae]

Yeah, what he said.

 

[imthedude]

kind of what i was thinking ridgerunner.

BTW - i moved from fayetteville a little more than 7 years ago.

 

[Lbrad7]

Personally I think its a great idea if they are healthy birds. Like Ridgerunner said it's really nice to have pullets start laying winter/spring instead of waiting through the spring and summer patietnly waiting on that first egg.