Why Raising Baby Chicks in the Fall is a Game Changer!
As the vibrant tapestry of autumn unfurls, so too do the opportunities for nurturing new life on your homestead. Vermont is known for their fall, gorgeous leaves changing, and nice steady temperatures. Not too hot or cold. Typically a great time to do projects, and we think to start chicks. While the springtime allure of chirping chicks is undeniable, there’s a compelling case to be made for welcoming these feathered friends into your fold during the fall. Here’s why raising baby chicks in this season is a decision that promises to enrich your poultry-raising experience in ways that resonate long beyond the harvest season.
Top 5 Reasons to Have Chicks in the Fall:
Cooler Climates
Fall bestows a respite from the climatic extremes that define both summer and winter. This moderate weather offers an ideal canvas for constructing a cozy coop. Unlike the unpredictable storms of spring and the sweltering heat of summer, fall’s predictable climate makes it an opportune time to raise the framework of a secure haven for your chicks. The cooler temperatures lend themselves to enjoyable coop-building endeavors, allowing you to lay the foundation for your feathered companions’ future abode without battling the elements.Chicks More Resilient
The fall season serves as a nurturing cradle for young chicks, gradually introducing them to the world beyond their brooder. This gradual acclimatization to cooler temperatures equips them to handle the winter months with greater resilience. By the time winter’s grip tightens, these chicks are fully feathered, a testament to their fortitude developed during the fall. This prepares them to thrive regardless of the wintry challenges that lie ahead, ensuring they remain comfortable and robust in the face of changing weather.Bug Go Getters And Garden Helpers
An often underappreciated benefit of fall-raised chicks is the springtime pest control army they provide, and garden clean up. By the time spring blooms fade, these chickens have matured into voracious bug hunters. From ticks to mosquitoes, and a plethora of pests in between, these diligent foragers proactively safeguard your yard against the seasonal influx of insects. They are also great at putting your tired garden to bed. They can stir up all that soil after all the blooms and veggies are harvested and fallen. They will have that soil looking ready for winter in no time! With their insatiable appetite for pests and plants, fall-raised chicks gift you a bug-free haven for the warmer months and tilled soil, enhancing both your outdoor experience and the overall health of your environment.Timing Is So Perfect!
One of the most compelling reasons to opt for fall-raised chicks lies in their strategic timing for molting, the natural process of shedding and renewing feathers. Unlike their spring counterparts, fall chicks enjoy a delayed molt. This means their feathers are fresh and vibrant as the spring sun bathes the landscape. With molting usually taking place after a year, fall-raised chicks avoid interrupting their prime egg production during the summer months, resulting in a consistent supply of eggs when demand is high.Egg Laying In The Spring — Boom!
The crescendo of egg production aligns with the birds’ maturation, a rhythm that significantly influences their laying capabilities. Fall-raised chicks bring forth a unique advantage in this aspect. Their timing harmonizes with the lengthening days of late winter and early spring, ensuring they hit peak egg-laying prowess when all others are thinking of getting their baby chicks. You will have egg layers in the Spring, right when it should be, and will have an advantage over all your friends with fresh eggs right in that peak season!Some Things To Consider
Remember, chicks will need to be on heat from newborn to roughly 6 weeks in a typical season – in the cooler months this can be a longer period on heat. It all depends on the temperatures outside. You can start with a slow transition from the higher day temps for a bit and bring them in for the evenings. We do consider a feathered-out bird roughly 9-10 weeks. This can be the time when your chicks can permanently transition, however this is all dependent on your location and coop build.
In Conclusion
Raising baby chicks in the fall is an artful orchestration of nature’s rhythms, offering a symphony of benefits that extend far beyond the immediate season. From building resilience and fostering a pest-free haven to strategically timing molting and egg production, fall’s embrace sets the stage for a journey of avian excellence. By heeding the call of this season, you’re not only cultivating a thriving flock but also embracing the nuanced harmony of nature’s cycles, resulting in a poultry-raising experience that’s truly unparalleled.
Are you interested in starting a Fall flock? Take a look at our starter bundles!
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