Finally have a house where we can have some backyard chickens. Im wondering if its too late in the season to start raising chicks. It will be a couple more weeks before were moved in. Will there be enough time for chicks to grow enough to be ok for the winter outside? Am I hurting my possibility of egg production since they will reach egg laying age in the winter months?
Another thing you can do is wait a bit and pick up started chicks when the breeders start to thin their flocks for overwintering.
It's a great way to pick up March and April hatched chicks which puts you back on track for hatching next Spring. Plus,
if Sussex, March hatched chicks will be the best winter layers. I started with baby chicks several times. Then finally,
I got started birds ( over 8 weeks old) from a proven show line. I am so happy with the quality of these Light Sussex.
It costs just as much to feed them as grade quality birds. Since you aren't moving in till later anyway, why not find
a breed and breeder you like and get on their list for started birds this Fall. That gives you time to get settled in,
less stress and the breeder gets time to cull the birds at
least once for quality. Your birds will be old enough to
shown if you want. Be on track for winter laying, plus be o track with
everyone else for hatching next Spring.
Timing, quality, production, hatching, showing, it's a 5 way win for you.
Best Regards,
Karen
