is it to early to buy chickens

[riley]

I live in northern New York, and I was wondering if it was to early to buy chicks

 

[andehens]

It would depend on where you are going to set up their brooder and the weather. If you can keep them protected from the winter, then there wouldn't be a bad time for you. For me, personally, I have to brood them in the house and I'm only good for 2, max 3 months before they get booted out. In my mild climate that doesn't matter so much, but it will in northern NY. Many of the larger hatcheries won't start shipping again until Feb so that will give you plenty of time to get ready! What kind of chickies are you going to get?

 

[riley]

I am planning to get rhode island reds. I will also be brooding in my house, but I dont know how long I can keep them inside I not sure how fast they grow. I want to get 12 hens and a rooster

 

[Shared Acres]

Yeah, unless you want to keep them inside for awhile, I'd wait until the spring!

 

[ibpboo]

12 hens and one rooster will be a lot to keep in the house. They actually grow quite quickly. You can acclimate them to the cold weather each day. starting with a few minutes at a time, adding more minutes each day.
Good luck, have fun!

Here is a link to pictures of my rhode island reds

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=69289

 

[gritsar]

They'll grow quickly and in a house sealed up for winter the smell will get strong.
Spring is the best time to get chicks. They can go outside quicker (mine were never in the house, period!) and the selection from the hatcheries will be much better.

 

[birdsofparadise]

Even here in Hawaii, it gets hard to find chicks from any source come November. Plus, heating a brooder/hover for 8 weeks or more gets expensive. I say wait.