WHY?

[Chelsa'sChicks]

1st your layers are generally much less affected by Winter with regards to their production. This is actually why I choose to maintain a multi generational flock. My pullets provide a steady supply of eggs through the Winter and my 2nd year birds come back into production when Spring arrives providing a steady stream of eggs through the summer until their next molt. By starting half a flock each Spring they come into production just as the older birds are taking off for molt and Winter.

I find this interesting because my chickens lay throughout the winter. Our winters can be very harsh here. This past winter actually we had -20F with windchill. They only stopped laying for 3 weeks when it was that cold. I had to hurry and grab the eggs all winter because if you left them out too long they would freeze and split open. Not sure if this due to my breeds or if they are just ridiculously hardy themselves. They are all older between 3-10 yrs old.. the 10 yr old doesn't lay anymore but she still counts as a bird.
Your idea of new birds each time is grand.. and terrible for my chicken addiction

 

[PirateGirl]

Here in Maine, they don't seem to become available to buy before March, with some places offering delivery in May and June. My wife wanted to wait until at least May to get ours, but I pointed out that it would be late fall before we got the first egg and then they'd likely stop laying for the winter...so we got them yesterday.

Or they don't lay until after the winter solstice

 

[sylviethecochin]

I find this interesting because my chickens lay throughout the winter. Our winters can be very harsh here. This past winter actually we had -20F with windchill. They only stopped laying for 3 weeks when it was that cold. I had to hurry and grab the eggs all winter because if you left them out too long they would freeze and split open. Not sure if this due to my breeds or if they are just ridiculously hardy themselves. They are all older between 3-10 yrs old.. the 10 yr old doesn't lay anymore plus she still counts as a bird.
Your idea of new birds each time is grand.. and terrible for my chicken addiction

Do you have a light in the coop?

 

[sevenfatcows]

Some people do get chicks in the fall. Here in Southern California we hatch year 'round, and it is a good idea to start some birds in the fall as they will be ready to lay come spring. Even TSC sells fall chicks in their stores here. I think it really comes down to problems with shipping, as it is very possible to brood outdoors if proper shelter is available. Some hatcheries have a limited selection over the cold months. I had Ideal ship chicks out to me in October, November, and January this year-shipping from Texas to California did not pose a problem, going north or east would probably be different story. If you have an incubator and a sheltered area or outbuilding for brooding, I think you could even do it in your region.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

Do you have a light in the coop?

No I never have used lights. I'm too afraid of a fire and it's natural to have the changes the seasons bring. I keep them as natural as possible.