Why so early in the year?

[Molpet]

also hens tend to lay the most eggs starting in late winter, so the hatcheries have more eggs to set

 

[HopeSprings]

That should be plenty warm. I had my first chicks shipped from Ohio to Massachusetts at the end of October 3 years ago and they all arrived healthy, happy, and chirping (LOUD lol). They did include a free heat pad under the bedding and weren’t in transit long (arrived next day) but still. So April in North Carolina should be fine. But of course availability is definitely an issue. That is why I am getting my new chicks April 29th because one breed was not available until then. I could have chosen an earlier hatch date but I really really wanted that breed. So I chose to wait.

I don’t plant out my tomatoes until mid-May — at 2,500’ it can still get chilly in May! And breed selection was important to me, too.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I don’t plant out my tomatoes until mid-May — at 2,500’ it can still get chilly in May! And breed selection was important to me, too.

Oh wow!! Didn’t realize you were so high up!! Sorry, I just tend to hear Carolina or any state remotely south and think warm I am starting my vegetables today so hopefully they’ll be ready around then or even before.

 

[HopeSprings]

Oh wow!! Didn’t realize you were so high up!! Sorry, I just tend to hear Carolina or any state remotely south and think warm I am starting my vegetables today so hopefully they’ll be ready around then or even before.

Oh, I've already planted my potatoes and peas; carrots, beets and onion plants are next. Giving the cole crop, chard and lettuce plants another week or so before setting out.
A lot of people don't even know that there are mountains in NC, tho they're figuring it out!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh, I've already planted my potatoes and peas; carrots, beets and onion plants are next. Giving the cole crop, chard and lettuce plants another week or so before setting out.
A lot of people don't even know that there are mountains in NC, tho they're figuring it out!

I am pretty behind I think lol still haven’t started anything yet been meaning to but it’s one thing after another. Either I’m too tired from doing so much outside or was having issues with the starting mix I was using, then I got better ones but haven’t had the time, now today I feel really sick. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better and be able to plant something finally. Need to get my garden set up too but I might focus on planting the direct sow crops soon. I need to get my peas going soon. I am growing peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, squash, peas, beans, lettuce, chard, and spinach this year.

 

[HopeSprings]

I am pretty behind I think lol still haven’t started anything yet been meaning to but it’s one thing after another. Either I’m too tired from doing so much outside or was having issues with the starting mix I was using, then I got better ones but haven’t had the time, now today I feel really sick. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better and be able to plant something finally. Need to get my garden set up too but I might focus on planting the direct sow crops soon. I need to get my peas going soon. I am growing peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, squash, peas, beans, lettuce, chard, and spinach this year.

I grow almost all of the produce I eat, from garlic and dried beans to 30 tomatoes and asparagus! Planning on adding sorghum and sunflowers for my future chickens!

 

[Isilvertoes]

I live in California and the weather is already in the high 70s and 80s...
My garden is already planted. Lmao
So not early for us out here...

What part of California because all Im getting here is rain, rain, rain. I cant even let my juvenile chicks out, only the adults chickens.

 

[WindingRoad]

Look at it this way ... if your chicks don't hatch until the middle to end of May ... and depending on breed and the individual chicken ... it usually is 20-30 weeks before a pullet lays an egg ... unless of course the days are just getting short of daylite ...then they just wait until spring ...

So by getting chicks now ... you have a much better chance of the pullet to start, and CONTINUE to lay eggs, right through the winter ...

They are still gonna eat just as much feed ... wether they are laying or not ...

My 2 SLW were 16 weeks at Thanksgiving Time. So looks like they were hatched late July or early August. They started laying end of Dec/early Jan. And have laid all winter and are still laying daily.

 

[Kris5902]

I did a fall hatch, and my girls are just coming into lay now... they are really ramping up, so I’m kind of doing things backwards I suppose? I wanted them to be really laying well for our busy summer tourist season, and don’t mind at all not having lots of eggs over winter. Most babies come in spring though with the increases of available food and warmer weather. It’s a survivability thing IMO