Spring always brings a degree of optimism. Don’t laugh. Really, it does. On the farm, the reason is simple. Despite all the crazy things that are happening elsewhere, spring on the farm carries thoughts of planting, rebirth and new growth. Springtime to chicken lovers across the country means that chicks are available once again.
For the past few winter months, chilly hens have been on hiatus. Most laying breeds will continue to lay through the winter. Egg numbers are usually down, and very few, if any, hens ever go broody. Many will molt in the fall so even the hatcheries don’t bother trying to supply chicks through the winter months. The point is that those of us that have chickens are finally finding healthy chicks available once again. In fact, springtime means keepers even have breed choices. Maybe you raise your own chicks to replenish your flock, but the suburban chicken-keepers I know can’t have roosters and simply want to keep their flock numbers small in modest-sized houses and runs.