chick season · Cornish Cross · day old chicks · May 21, 2026

When to Buy Chicks: Timing Your Order for Success

by Tyler Chastain

Four day-old chicks from Stumphouse Farms hatchery in Anderson, South Carolina — order timing guide for backyard growers

The best time to buy chicks depends on what you're raising them for and where you live. For layers, most backyard growers order chicks 4-6 months before they want eggs, which means orders are placed in January through March for summer production. For meat birds like Cornish Cross, you can order year-round since they're table-ready in 6-8 weeks.

At Stumphouse Farms, you choose your ship date. No waiting around for "when chicks are ready." You choose the date at checkout, and we ship that day. Browse our selection: Cornish Cross, Red Sex Link, Rhode Island Red, and Red Ranger.

Key Takeaways

Layer chicks: Order January-April for summer egg production (pullets start laying at 18-22 weeks)
Meat birds: Order anytime, but spring and fall are easiest for temperature management
Climate matters: Southern growers can order earlier than northern growers
Peak season: March-April see highest demand at most hatcheries
Minimum order: 6 chicks (mix and match breeds available at Stumphouse Farms)
Brooding considerations: Need 95°F heat for week one, decreasing 5°F per week

When to Buy Chicks Based on Your Goal

For Egg Production (Layers)

Layer breeds like Red Sex Link and Rhode Island Red start producing eggs at 18-22 weeks old. Work backward from when you want eggs.

Want eggs by July 4th? Order chicks by mid-February. Want eggs by Thanksgiving? Order by early June.

Most backyard growers order layer chicks in early spring. The weather's warming up, brooding is easier, and pullets hit laying age right when summer egg demand peaks. If you sell eggs at farmers' markets or to neighbors, timing your flock to start production in June or July makes sense.

Spring chicks also benefit from increasing daylight. Hens need 14-16 hours of light to lay consistently. Spring-hatched pullets reach maturity during the longest days of summer, which triggers strong production through their first winter.

For Meat Production (Broilers)

Cornish Cross grows fast. Six to eight weeks from hatch to processing for a 4-5 lb dressed bird. 8 to 9 weeks for a 6-to 8-lb roaster. That means you can plan meat bird batches around your schedule, not just around spring.

Some growers run multiple batches. Order chicks in March, process in May. Order again in May, process in July. Order in August, process in October. Stagger your harvest dates so your freezer fills gradually instead of all at once.

Red Rangers take 11-14 weeks and handle pasture better than Cornish Cross. If you're running a pastured poultry operation, plan for longer grow-out times, better foraging behavior, and more flavorful meat.

For Replacement Birds

If you're replacing aging layers, order new chicks while your current flock is still producing. That gives you overlap, so you're not buying grocery store eggs while waiting for pullets to mature. Layer production drops significantly after year two, so planning for pullet arrivals every 18-24 months keeps your egg supply steady.

When to Buy Chicks Based on Your Climate

Cold Climate (Zone 5 and Below)

Northern growers should wait until March or April. You can brood chicks indoors regardless of outdoor temperatures, but moving birds to coops is easier when it's not 15 degrees outside. Spring chicks will be fully feathered and ready for outdoor temperatures by late April or May.

Some northern growers order chicks in late winter specifically because they have more time to manage a brooder before spring field work starts.

Moderate Climate (Zone 6-7)

Late February through October works for moderate climates. Spring and fall orders are most common. Summer orders mean brooding in heat, which is manageable but requires more ventilation and water monitoring. Chicks still need 95°F heat initially, even when outdoor temps hit 85°F.

Warm Climate (Zone 8 and Above - Anderson, SC)

South Carolina growers can order year-round. January and February orders are fine. Summer heat is your bigger challenge. Brooding in July means keeping chicks cool once they feather out, not warm. Make sure brooders have good ventilation and plenty of water access.

Common Mistakes When Timing Chick Orders

Ordering Too Late for Seasonal Goals

You want fresh eggs for Easter brunch in April. You order chicks in February. The math doesn't work. Pullets need 18-22 weeks to start laying. Order in October or November for April eggs.

Ordering Too Early for Your Setup

Your coop isn't finished yet. Your brooder isn't set up. But you see chicks available and order anyway. Then you're scrambling when a box of peeping day-olds shows up at the post office.

Get your equipment ready first. Then order.

Not Planning for Processing Day Weather

Ordering Cornish Cross to arrive in August means processing in October. That's perfect in Minnesota. That's miserable in South Carolina if you're outside in 85-degree heat with a plucker. Think through processing day, not just shipping day.

Ignoring Hatch Day Schedules

Popular shipping dates fill up at most hatcheries. If you need 100 Cornish Cross for a specific date, don't wait until the week before. Some hatcheries only ship certain breeds on certain dates. Some require larger minimum orders for winter shipping to keep chicks warm in transit.

How to Order Chicks from Stumphouse Farms

Step 1: Choose Your Breed

Browse our day-old chicks collection. We ship:

Cornish Cross - $2.95 each
Red Sex Link - from $2.50 each
Rhode Island Red - from $3.89 each
Red Ranger - from $3.20 each

Step 2: Select Your Ship Date

Available shipping dates show up at checkout. You pick the date, we ship it. No "whenever chicks are ready" uncertainty. Our 2026 calendar runs weekly from mid-March through September for Red Sex Link, Red Ranger, and Rhode Island Red. Cornish Cross ships weekly through mid-December.

Step 3: Choose Quantity

Minimum order is 6 chicks. Mix and match breeds to hit the minimum. Orders of 500+ call us at (864) 658-4209 for pricing.

Step 4: Prepare for Pickup

Chicks ship to your local post office. They'll call the morning of delivery. Plan to pick up immediately. Have your brooder set up 24 hours before arrival with a heat lamp running at 95°F. Check out our Chick Care Guide for complete brooder setup instructions.

What We've Seen at Stumphouse Farms

We ship chicks to backyard growers and commercial operations across all 48 states from our Anderson County hatchery.

Growers who have the smoothest experience order 2-4 weeks in advance. They've planned their brooder setup, know their target ship date, and are ready when the chicks arrive. The folks who decide on Tuesday they want chicks for Thursday often run into sold-out dates or scramble to get equipment ready.

Spring remains our busiest season, but we see steady year-round demand for Cornish Cross. Growers running multiple batches typically space orders 3-4 weeks apart for continuous production.

Temperature matters more than people expect. We get calls in July from people whose chicks are too hot. We get calls in February from people whose chicks are too cold. Both are solvable, but easier to avoid by ordering when ambient temperatures help rather than fight you.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the earliest I can order chicks for 2026?

Available ship dates are visible at checkout when you add chicks to your cart. Each product page shows current availability. Pre-orders are available for those wanting to get a jumpstart on their spring flock.

Can I order chicks year-round?

Our 2026 shipping calendar runs weekly from mid-March through September for Red Sex Link, Red Ranger, and Rhode Island Red. Cornish Cross ships weekly through mid-December.

How many chicks should I order?

Minimum order is 6 chicks. You can mix breeds to hit the minimum. For larger orders (500+), call us at (864) 658-4209 for pricing. Plan for 10% loss in very young chicks, even with excellent care.

What if I need to change my ship date?

Do all breeds ship on all dates?

Most shipping dates include all four breeds, but availability can vary. Check product pages at checkout for current availability on your preferred date.

Can I pick up locally instead of shipping?

Local pickup is available at checkout for Anderson County customers.

Can I return unwanted roosters?

No, due to our biosecurity policy, we cannot accept any live birds back after they have been purchased and shipped.

Order Your 2026 Chicks Now

Planning your flock starts with picking the right ship date. Browse our day-old chicks, choose your breed, and select your ship date.

Questions about timing or large orders? Call (864) 658-4209 or email Info@stumphousefarms.com.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide provides general timing recommendations for ordering day-old chicks. Individual results vary based on breed, climate, management practices, and local conditions. Stumphouse Farms ships on your selected hatch date but cannot ensure arrival conditions, hatch rates, or bird performance. Review our shipping and refund policy before ordering.

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