Is it not too late to get chicks?

[Natalijaasbj]

Hi!
I am a newbie to raising chickens.
I have couple questions. Is it not too late to buy chicks now? It is May and I heard that it is better to get chicks in early spring.
Second question. My neighbour has three dogs. They come outside from time to time, although they sleep at home. One of them likes to bark quite a bit when I appear in the garden, so the neightbour usually quickly takes him home. But what about if I will let my chicken free range from time to time, are they going to be frightened when dog barks? Any advice or thoughts??
Thank you in advance!

 

[Apyl]

You can order chicks anytime from the major hatcheries. As for the dog, what do you mean the own takes it home? Do you have a fenced yard? Barking nots going to bother the chicks, but a loose dog getting at them will.

 

[Natalijaasbj]

Thanks for your response. No, I meant the dog is behind the fence( although she once got into our yard due to broken place in the fence - she was very friendly once she got on my territory though ). Definately i will make sure we have a reliable fence once i get chicken.
But it is good news that chicken are not bothered by barking!

 

[Rooster76]

The biggest issue you have is with it getting too hot to ship them. Most likely that won't be a problem. I have had 2 batches one that I got in Mid July and one in Mid June. If you don't order really early then you don't always have the choice for all the specific type of chicks that you want to get, or you have to wait a couple months. I really wanted Buff Orpingtons and had to wait for them. If your not too picky you can almost always get some chicks in 3 weeks from a hatchery. I don't think I would get a batch after mid August personally. Just to make sure they have a good amount of feathers before winter.

I would recommend getting a barred rock or two, they have been my favorite.

If that dog gets into the fence your going to loose chicks for sure. Barking really isn't an issue. If it was your dog maybe you could train it. I have 2 pugs that I take out into the chicken yard all the time. I was really stern with the dogs when I first introduced them. I allowed no barking or chasing without a smack. It only took about an hour and they have been cool ever since. Actually it is pretty funny to see a chick go up to one of the dogs and peck them.

 

[Chemguy]

I have purchased chicks in July and had no problems. As fir the dog barking, my own experience says that the dog will (eventually) stop barking and that the chickens don't care. But, I would nake sure that there is no way for the chickens to reach their head through the fence or for the dog to stick a snout through. That's just asking for problems. A skirt of chicken wire at the base of the fence should be adequate to prevent any interaction.

 

[Nicole01]

Use hardware cloth or welded wire and make a strong run or those dogs will kill your chickens.

I can buy chicks all year long at a local store. He sells so many breeds! It doesn't matter when you buy them. Just make sure you build a good coop and run that is predator proof! Good luck!

Chicken raising has been the best experience for our family!

 

[math ace]

Here is a suggestion... Go LOCAL... There are MANY BYC folks that hatch year around. Not that many ship, but you will be surprised to find how many people have chicks in your area.

Check on BYC's swap threads. You will find there are places near you where folks meet monthly or every other month to sell their extra birds, including chicks.

Word of mouth... ask around, pm folks in your area. Ask them if they know of anyone who has chicks or the breeds you are interested in. If you find someone who has the breeds you want and they are set up to sell chicks, then they probably won't mind doing a custom hatch for you. These will be "Straight run" chicks, since most breeds can not be sexed at birth.


Lastly, watch craigslist for folks selling chicks.

WARNING: Make sure you inspect the chicks. Don't ever purchase a chick that is not active. They should constantly be on the move like hyperactive children. If you go to someone's house or a feed store....MAKE sure that the surrounding chicks look healthy and the living environment looks clean. If the chicks in one cage are active, BUT the chicks in the next pen are looking sick, then healthy ones have been exposed and may come down with sickness in a couple of days....

 

[math ace]

Another suggestion, dogs have a natural instinct to hunt and chase things that move - cars, joggers, chickens, etc.
Dog's will suddenly DIG UNDER fences or CLIMB OVER if there looks like something NEW and EXCITING has moved next door.

I buried hardware cloth 2 feet deep all the way around my pen to keep my birds safe. NOTHING is going to make you sadder or madder than coming home and find all you birds butchered by a predator. I have a friend who is old school and does not protect his birds like I do. If one dies, he just replaces it. However, I feel like I have too much time and money invested in my birds to lose one to something I could of prevented....

What I am saying, is take your time and think about the "What If's" BEFORE you get the chicks.

 

[Natalijaasbj]

Oh, this site is SO helpful! I really appreciate your input, now I feel like can find a great support here with my new endeavor!
I will definately use your recomendations here.