Starting chicks at this time of year?

[Chicky Jean]

I'm new to this whole chicken thing and I'm wondering if it's OK to get chicks at this time of year? Will they actually start laying at the proper age if it's late fall/early winter - I've heard that they won't lay very much during the colder darker months.

Also: I was hoping to get about 4 chicks (bantams, not the big ones). I have a movable run that's about 4x8 when they're ready to go outside and then I'm using a converted rabbit hutch to start them in out in the garage for now. When they move outside can I just use that hutch as a small coop attached to the run if I give them an outdoor (covered) roost inside the run? Does that make sense? I'm trying to avoid having to build a big coop, and was hoping to put a nesting box in the hutch. Can they sleep outside on the roost or will they all be cramming into the hutch to sleep? How does this work!? Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Judy]

I'd suggest you start reading in the learning center, then the coop and run section.

A 4x8 run is not enough for more than 2 chickens, IMHO, and a hutch will not be good for much more than brooding. They can sleep outside anywhere, including your trees, but they are likely to be eaten by a predator if they do not have a coop to be secured in at night.

Your location would be helpful.

 

[morninggloryhatchery]

It sounds like you are wanting Chickens fro egg? I would not go with Bantams if you are mainly wanting eggs.You can still get Bantams but the eggs will be much smaller than regular chickens. Yes it is ok to get chicks at this time. You can get them ANYTIME in the year , it just depends on the temp.





Joy

 

[dangerboy]

New chicks from Abendroth's Hatchery, Waterloo WI

 

[dangerboy]

I am trying to figure out: Are these Ameraucana, Easter Egger, or possibly actually Araucana? Can someone help?

 

[hikerchick]

Quote:
did you just totally hijack this thread?

 

[Cindy in PA]

I am new to bantams, but not to chickens. The run would be large enough for 4 bantam Plymouth Rocks according to the an article from the breed club(The article said 5 rocks could use a 4 by 4 outdoor space). It depends on how large your rabbit hutch is, as to whether that would hold 4 in bad weather. As far as getting eggs from bantams, ones like rocks, RIR and such, they are supposed to lay eggs that are one ounce or more, so 1/2 a large chicken egg. I have usually kept 12 large fowl chickens and except for certain times, I am overrun with eggs. I really don't have an outlet to sell except to two family members. I am seriously considering going to all bantams as I would get the eggs, but they would only be half as much volume! I'm sure there are some members on here that get along perfectly well on eggs from bantams alone. It would keep me from worrying about the large fowl having enough space & I could have more chickens! My bantams are only 3 weeks old (Silver penciled rocks) so only time will tell. I will replace my large fowl next year, so I have time to see how my bantams work out. Good luck!

 

[Chicky Jean]

We live in Western Washington and it's generally pretty mild here in the winter though we do get snow at times. The hutch is 3' x 2.5' and about 3.5' tall. There is an open side that has a door right now, but I was going to add on a nest box to that opening to expand the space a little. I have enclosed the area underneath it with chicken wire and secured it so no predators can get in - it also attaches securely to the run. I was planning to put wheels on the run and use it like a tractor (we have TONS of space out back).

The learning center says that chickens need about 4-5 square feet in an outdoor run, so wouldn't a 4x8 run be OK for 4 chickens? What am I missing here?

As for the breed, maybe I'm using the wrong term when I said "bantam" - I was just planning to get the regular RIR or EE's that they have at the local feed store.

Thank you for the advice! I definitely want my birds to have a home that works for them!

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Quote:
did you just totally hijack this thread?

I think so!

 

[chickenbottom]

Quote:
did you just totally hijack this thread?

I think so!

lol i was looking at that and it was right out of the blue lol