The only down side to starting a flock now instead of in the spring is that you may need to give supplemental light for a couple of hours to keep them laying through the winter. You absolutely will not need to give them any heat as long as they are older than 6-8 weeks old. I'm not sure how well chickens lay during the winter in the south, but a lot of breeds shut down for 3-4 months here in Maine b/c of the shorter day length. Being just a tiny bit further south (!) you may have a slightly longer day length. Read Henderson's chicken breeds chart, then do a thread search for more info on the breeds that interest you. Choose docile breeds and you should be set to go. Here's some more subjects to tickle your brain cells: Growing fodder or sprouts, raising black soldier fly larvae, fermented feed. I recommend that you get all of your birds at the same time and from the same place. Check out the place before you commit to buying birds. Do some thread searches regarding how to check for mites and lice, how to give a good chicken inspection. If possible, take someone with you who knows what to look for. Know what young hens are selling for in your area. Beware the seller who grabs a bird and shoves it in a box without letting you look it over. I would walk away empty handed before buying such a bird from such a seller. Unfortunately, there are some folks out there who will take advantage of a first time chicken buyer, and sell an old spent hen who is ready for the stew pot, or has lice or mites, or some disease that is not readily evident.
Now, after the warnings, encouragement! You are heading into a wonderful hobby with infinite reward! The pleasure of a small flock who worship the ground you walk on, and who will follow you to the ends of the earth for a tasty tid bit. They will provide you with the freshest eggs, clear your yard of weeds and insects, till your soil, and make your gardens grow better than you could imagine. Enjoy! Go ahead and get your flock started now, if for nothing more than the benefit of all the lovely poo they will provide between now and spring!
Now, after the warnings, encouragement! You are heading into a wonderful hobby with infinite reward! The pleasure of a small flock who worship the ground you walk on, and who will follow you to the ends of the earth for a tasty tid bit. They will provide you with the freshest eggs, clear your yard of weeds and insects, till your soil, and make your gardens grow better than you could imagine. Enjoy! Go ahead and get your flock started now, if for nothing more than the benefit of all the lovely poo they will provide between now and spring!
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