Shipping out of season?

[allanimals21]

I was wondering what the risks are? I know obviously its cold but how well do the chicks handle that? The thing is I want to replace my laying flock and I thought if I got the chicks soon that they would be laying next summer? What are your guys opinions and experiences?

 

[k2chickens]

i would say you would be allright. Just as long as you kept them in a heated place untill they fully featherd out. So if your willing to put up with chikens in the garage with a heat lamp on them, or somewhere out in the barn...then i say GO FOR IT!

 

[allanimals21]

I'm not worried about when I get them...its the shipping itself that I'm worried about

 

[EweSheep]

If there is 20 to 25 chicks to a box, they will be fine. If less, they might need some hand warmers on the sides of box to keep warm during shipping. You can ship them at almost all times and they will be fine. Adviseable NOT to ship when there is temps under 10-20 degrees outside. 15 chicks they can handle 30 degrees in shipping without too much problems. If you dont know for sure, order all males packing peanuts to help the pullets thru.

In most cases, they will be fine! I would have done the same if I need some layers in the spring so I order chicks now until Dec to get them going.

Go for it!

 

[allanimals21]

Thats what I was hoping...now that I got the thumbs up I just need to decide what I want!

 

[Plain Old Dee]

I thought about trying my hand at raising baby chicks this winter, but all of the hatcheries seem to be out until next year...

 

[allanimals21]

some of the ones I looked at still have a limited available. So I'm hoping to get what I want/need.