Upstate NY and a question about starting new chicks in the fall.

[Mom3Gamma2]

Hi everyone. We live in Upstate New York (just south of Albany), and we recently lost 6 of our Ladies to a raccoon. We have decided we want to increase the size of our flock now that the coop has been fixed. But my question is, is it a good time to start with new chicks? We have another 6 - 10 weeks of good summer weather, then Fall temps will kick in. Is that long enough for the chicks to start to feather out and be safe during the winter? We will be getting Gold Laced Wyandottes, Production Reds, and Midnight Majesty Marans. They all say cold hardy, but is there enough time for them to get big enough to tolerate the winters here? These are new breeds to us.

Thank you!!

 

[nuthatched]

Yes.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Yep, you can start anytime. I'd actually advise you to get going ASAP for eggs this spring. The ladies you bring in this late in the year may not molt for 2 winters, which is an added bonus. That depends on a variety of things, but I can't imagine that there's ever a bad time to raise chickens. If you think about it, many a hen would be happily sitting eggs right now so you're in good company.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

We have another 6 - 10 weeks of good summer weather, then Fall temps will kick in. Is that long enough for the chicks to start to feather out and be safe during the winter?

Oh yes, forgot to respond but you're likely good 5-7 weeks out from hatching. I've had a lot of breeds, and they're always ready to be heat free by about 5 weeks. We live in the Appalachian mountains at about 3600' ft with wicked winds. I've moved from brooder to coop at about 2-3 weeks and by 5-6 weeks, those babies are heat free. By 6-8 weeks, they're roosting with my big girls.

Go get your chicks.