Serious breeders who breed to the Standard of Perfection (SOP) often don't have chicks this time of year. Some may have already sold off their winter/spring hatchlings already if they DO sell chicks at all. Or if they are like us, they are growing out the young 'uns so they can decide who to keep for breeding purposes. Which means they may have some older started birds in the fall.
If you want to "practice" your husbandry skills and see what works and what doesn't work for you, you could get just a couple hatchery birds from someone now, and then wait until fall/winter to get the standard-bred birds that it sounds like you want.