What's the best time to hatch chicks?

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

I'm very eager to start hatching chicks and ducklings this year, but whats the best time to hatch them?

Spring, Summer? Im not sure if I want to incubate or use broody yet...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Spring time works well as they mature in time to lay prior to the dark days of equinox. If hatched in summer they wont come into lay until next spring unless you supplement light.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Also, some people hatch in late winter--since the peeps are eating starter and kept inside for the first eight weeks of their life anyway. This way, they mature in the spring and have an even longer first-egg laying cycle.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Wouldn't a fall hatched chick still have first molt the following fall? I've never hatched fall chicks but assume they'd molt prior to following winter. That would make for a shorter pullet laying year compared to a spring chick that starts laying in fall and would not molt until following fall.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

Wouldn't a fall hatched chick still have first molt the following fall? I've never hatched fall chicks but assume they'd molt prior to following winter. That would make for a shorter pullet laying year compared to a spring chick that starts laying in fall and would not molt until following fall.

Fall chicks don't molt the first fall of their life, but will the second depending on age.. I believe they have to be 1 or 1.5 yrs to molt the first time.
I have fall chicks from last fall and no one molted.