Hi! The chicks will hit 8 weeks in about October if you get some now. You wont get eggs until the spring, but I think this is the latest I would get any. How many are you looking to get? If you brood inside, I would definitely get them out at 4-5 weeks, fully feathered age, so they can start acclimating to the weather before October cold hits. You’ll also need a plan for heated water once it gets below 32, but it’s a few months before that will happen!
ETA: If you start eggs now and end up w cockerels, you may not know until winter. It will be harder to process or sell in the snowy weather, so I would stick with sexed pullets from a hatchery. I’ve had great luck with Mt Healthy (shipped and arrived in less than 24 hours), McMurray & Ideal. Never tried any other hatcheries.
Thank you so much for the quick reply! It seemed like a few places had sexed chicks still that would be available over the next couple weeks - I hadn't looked at Mt. Healthy, so thank you for that recommendation. I know that sexing of chicks is not all that accurate, but we could handle a couple roos for the winter - our neighbor has several so the neighborhood is already acclimated to a bit of crowing. We are looking for 4-6, and I was thinking of calling up Catch a Torii farms since they are only an hour from here and we could see what they have.
The kids *really* want chicks and we don't have any travel plans this fall, so I'm leaning in that direction. If it were just me, I'd definitely start with pullets. We also are going to the NY state fair next weekend, so if there are birds for sale through there we may go for it.
Should have the coop done this weekend (not that it matters, since they'll be inside for a bit!). It's convenient to the house, so we are planning on walking out hot water several times a day, and may rely on an extension cord+heater like I've seen on here for around Christmas when we travel and the neighbor is in charge. He's got 20+ chickens and is a font of wisdom.
If our other sources fail, I'll also be checking out some of the poultry swaps in Cortland and Dryden, or we will just wait til spring!
ETA: Forgot to mention that our primary issue with the online sources is volume - we don't want 15 chicks! That may end up restricting us to swaps and local sources.
EETA: My wish list (based on combo of egg production, friendliness, robustness, and gorgeousness, since these are pets)
Rhode Island Red
Golden Laced Wyandotte
Americaunia if possible or easter egger of some sort
Orpington of some sort
and maybe a Marans for the dark eggs. But all that is just the wish list- we know we have to be flexible with our location and time of year!
