Spring is when most people order their chicks. There is of course, nothing wrong with this. However, if you are willing to buck the trend, now is a great time to order. Lead times are very short this time of year, which means you get your chicks quicker, and there is little chance of being a certain breed you want being “sold out” for a month or two. The downsides are not as dire as some people expect.
Biggest issue: Cold weather.
If you live anywhere north of Florida, it gets pretty chilly in the winter months. Our main office is in Pennsylvania, which gets very cold in the winter. However, you need to heat your chicks anytime of the year, even in July. Chances are you won’t spend much more on heating your chicks in the winter than in the summer. By the time your chicks have turned into full grown pullets (six months) and are laying eggs, it will be spring. This means you can let them run around outside, and achieve peak egg production quickly. If you get chicks and start them in the spring, it will be late fall until they start laying eggs, putting you right into the winter months.
Thinking about starting your own flock? Now might just be the best time to do so!