klmpink Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Hi My partner and are both agreed we want to keep hens however, we keep disagreeing over the best time of year to get them. My view is get them now and settle them in for the winter. His view is that we should wait until the spring. Can anyone share their views on the best time of year to get your first set of chickens (if there is one!) Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasha and kev Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 (edited) hiya,weve just recently well 6weeks ago got some chickens we did have 9 but was very naughty and got 2 more yesterday.im no expert but id say now,then you can get them used to you while its still warm,dont think youd be wanting to walk and sit in the garden in the cold,xx Edited August 19, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I think I'd wait till Spring, as many breeders will have sold their best stock from this season by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasha and kev Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I think I'd wait till Spring, as many breeders will have sold their best stock from this season by now. theres quite a few breeders around me still hatching chicks to sell,xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I agree, there is still a lot of good stock around from all the best breeders, it's definitely not too late for this year (not yet anyway). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Any time, of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasha and kev Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 see you have ti get them now haha,xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I agree you should get them now and settle them in..You won't regret it You know what Partners are like "Lets wait till spring"..Spring comes along... "lets wait till Summer " . Good luck and stand your ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I think it may depend on what breeds you want. I've been trying to find some bantams but a lot of the breeders have finished for this year. I got my first hens in August, it does give you a chance to spend some time with them before the cold weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 We waited till Spring as Egluntyne is right, there may be chicks ready but will they be decent stock from a good breeder? You dont want to end up with poorly chooks and especially if youre new to keeping hens, when something goes wrong,its really scary! I would save for a Cube , get OH to build you a decent and secure walk-in run with electric fencing, then you never have to worry if your girls are safe. You'll then have the Spring and WHOLE summer to play with them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmpink Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share Posted August 21, 2011 Thank you all for your lovely words of wisdom! We decided to bite the bullet and go for it now,i have waited patiently for two years to move out of our London flat to the country so I just couldnt wait any longer to get my chickens! Our eglu is on order and hoping we dont have too long to wait until they are delivered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbo100 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I got my chickens at exactly this time last year, which meant they started laying in October and then kept laying nicely all through the winter (when they would normally slow laying if they were 6 months older). So for me, getting them in the early autumn worked out really well. Worth making sure your feeding and water systems are working well for you before the rain (and mud) starts. I initially bought a small feeder (which didn't have a rain cover so had to go under the house to keep feed dry) and a drinker which was really difficult to pick up. I spent the whole winter getting into the run to pick up the feeder and drinker, slipping on the wet mud/poo and causing some comedy moments before realising I should buy more expensive, but far more practical kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I agree with the earlier comment - anytime is the best time!! Seriously though, we've had new POL hens in both April and October - but they were good healthy birds from reputable sellers both times, if the birds in any way look weak or lethargic leave well alone - and we had no problems with either flock and both started laying within about 6 weeks. Enjoy your new birds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I've bought 2 lots of my girls in September and they've been fine . I knew you wouldn't be able to wait till Spring . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Any day apart from Christmas Day is a good day for getting chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Too true Griffers! In all seriousness it depends on what you want to get People who hatch to sell often hatch all year round and if they have good facilities then these are a good bet, the current high cost of feed and heat/light means that although these people have stock in the spring its going to be quite expensive. If they dont have the right rearing facilities you could end up with weedy chooks Hybrids are bred all year round and available all year round, these are usually bought in to be sold Pure breeds bred by specialist/show breeders will always be more plentiful in the late summer and autumn So in short you'll have the best choice overall if you buy in the next month or so which ties in with your thinking nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I'm glad Tasha got in first with her comments about pure breeds = NOW. There are always grumbles from some of the older members of my poultry club about folk who come to them at Easter wanting young stock or POL pure breeds.... 'no such thing'. We hatched some welsummer bantams to sell for the first time and they'll be 18 weeks (POL) by the York Rare Breeds Show and Auction at Murton in October. We hatched 'quite late' though according to the old 'uns in June and July. But as she says, hybrids are for sale at any time of the year. Good luck with them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I got my first ones for Christmas. Well, Christmas eve. And then got another one last Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
