Spring Chick Raising Precautions: The Most Serious Problems and Common Breeds
Beginning chicken keepers often ask this question, probably because spring is the most active and usual time for raising and brooding chicks. As long as you have everything you need to raise them, you can buy them whenever you need to. However, chicks bought and raised in winter usually require more investment than spring chicks.
For the best chick-raising experience, several factors need to be considered, so we will look at each season and any specific needs of your fluffy little friends. In our recent article “How to Prepare for Chicks”, we published a checklist listing everything you need for chicks. Among these, the most serious issue in raising chicks is the temperature requirement.
First thing; until your chicks are 'feathered' at 8-12 weeks of age, they rely on you to keep them warm and safe. Some breeds will be earlier than others, so the 8-12 week range is fairly broad, covering all breeds. Winter and early spring can be difficult times for raising any livestock, including chicks, mainly due to seasonal issues. You need to maintain the temperature consistently during the day and at night, and you should check it frequently during the first few days. 90F is the recommended heat, but observe the chicks to see how they are acting and adjust accordingly.
Farm stores start stocking chicks and ducklings in spring, so if you are not too picky about the breed, you can pick them up locally. Farm stores usually have only a limited selection, typically sex-linked chicks, Rhode Island Reds, broilers and other common breeds. If you are looking for a specific breed you saw in a catalog, in my opinion, it is best to order from the catalog, because you can ask them to vaccinate them (if you wish).
