natural spring is typically when the great unwashed part going gaga overbaby chick , but it is n’t the only time of year for originate a newfangled flock . tumble is also a great time to ask in chickens to your backyard or to add novel members to an existing lot — and with some exciting welfare .
1. Early Eggs
Getting a jump on next year ’s flock this gloaming mean crybaby will start producingeggswhen everyone else is just getting their chick . distaff biddy strain point - of - lie around 20 weeks of age , on average , depending on the breed . Chicks brood in October should begin to lay eggs very ahead of time in spring , ensuring that you and your syndicate have invigorated eggs all summertime long .
2. Molting Is Delayed
Chickensmoltannually , disgorge their old feathers for a smart stage set before wintertime , but the timing of the ecdysis is determine by breed , time of year and age . Some chicken strain molt early in the summer and others late in the tumble — but not until their biology find out they ’ve lay a sufficient amount of eggs . Because female chickens divert protein energy away from orchis yield to produce new feathers , each will stop laying until she ’s wind up molting .
Starting a flock in the dip will rage them up for their first eggs in spring , with their first stage set of feathers still sweet and healthy . Usually chickens do n’t molt until after they ’re a year old , so in fall chicks , shed is until the following yr , especially if it ’s an other molter , because the first feathers are already new . This signify there wo n’t be pause in testis lay that summer.eliudrosales/Flickr
3. Less Stressful Winters
Because of the unpredictability in the conditions in fall ( and springtime ) chick should always be fully feathered before they ’re put outside without supplemental oestrus . The impending winter time of year is less of a blow to fall chickens because they grow up as the sidereal day get shorter and colder — a sudden snow is n’t as doom - rush to ill-affected teenage chickens as it is to full - maturate pullets that hatched in the natural spring . A fall plenty is more potential to venture out in snowy weather that can keep outflow - hatched poulet cooped up and look for spring .
4. Spring Pest Control
set forth a fall flock ensures an unflagging plague control power just in time for bound ’s insect explosion . Chickens are known to greatly reduce and nigh eliminateticks , mosquito , wanderer , grub and other pests from your yard and garden , ensuring a more gratifying summertime outside .
5. Merchandise Sales for a Fall Flock
If you ’re starting your first pile , take vantage of death - of - season sales on chicken - care products , like hencoop , incubator , heaters , feeders , waterer and even heated bowls for winter — all the necessities you involve to keep your fall flock alive and roaring . Pick up some extras for spring while you ’re at it , like egg cartons , egg basket and protein - compact wimp treats .
6. Limited Availability at Hatcheries
For begin crybaby keepers , circumscribed availability is a smashing thing because too many breed choices can be overpowering . It ’s easy to terminate up with a beautiful breed that is actually inappropriate for a backyard or for a family with kids .
The trendy , rare breeds sell out quickly and very early on in the time of year ( think February ) , but the try out - and - dead on target folk favorites are usually available into dip , like Orpingtons , Australorps , Rocks and Wyandottes . Plus , these breed , once feather out , are cold sturdy . These birds are not the undesirable remnant of the year ; they ’re sturdy , trusted stock with interesting histories , ball - laying dependability and friendly dispositions . For beginning wimp custodian , these remnant - of - season breeds are also known to be easy around children .
eliudrosales/Flickr
