Replace flock now?

[CarolinaCrazy]

I lost my first four 12 week old pullets to a fox yesterday. Mad as hell and depressed, but we'll recover.

We live in NC where summertime temps are warm & comfortable and last well into September/October. Will I be OK if i start w/ new chicks now, and will they lay before the winter? Or will winter coming before they are fully productive throw them off and should I wait until spring to re-start?

Thanks.

And I'm putting in a fenced run now...

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You can start now. You may even find someone who has started birds ready to go - many folks pick up "extra" chicks in the spring and start them so they can sell them. Yes, you'll pay a bit more than you would for a day-old chick, but you are getting the benefit of a jump start on the age issue....plus you can find them at an age where you don't have to worry so much about the "oops" roosters in those sexed pullets.

 

[iwiw60]

I lost my first four 12 week old pullets to a fox yesterday. Mad as hell and depressed, but we'll recover.

We live in NC where summertime temps are warm & comfortable and last well into September/October. Will I be OK if i start w/ new chicks now, and will they lay before the winter? Or will winter coming before they are fully productive throw them off and should I wait until spring to re-start?

Thanks.

And I'm putting in a fenced run now...

Would be nice to see some pics of your setup. You said you're putting in a fenced run...what type of wire are you going to use? Don't waste your money on chicken wire!!! As you have known predators you would be wise to use 1/2" hardware cloth...nothing's going to get through that stuff...the best! Be sure to bury it "down and out" at the bottom so they can't dig in.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Keeping chickens is a lot like riding a bike. When you fall off it is best to get up and right back on the bike.