Chicken Support Insights - Episode 30: Planning Smart: What to Order in June to Set Up Your Fall Flock

Think you missed your chance to start or expand your flock this year? In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Nikki and Matt discuss why summer can still be an excellent time to order chicks and how late-season planning can set you up for success. They cover common questions about summer shipping, brooder management, breed selection, long-term egg production, and choosing birds that match your goals instead of buying on impulse.

Check current breed availability at Valley Hatchery and see which breeds are ready to join your flock.

For more backyard poultry education, breed selection guidance, chick care resources, and flock planning tips, explore Valley Hatchery's educational content. If this episode helped you plan your next flock with confidence, be sure to subscribe to Chicken Support Insights Podcast for more practical poultry education and backyard chicken insights.

Transcript

Nikki 0:09

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Chicken Insights podcast. I'm Nikki and today we're talking about something we start hearing a lot every late June. People wondering if they waited too long to start or expand their flock.

Matt 0:22

Yeah, especially from first-time flock owners who missed spring ordering season and suddenly realized they still want birds for fall production or next year's planning.

Nikki 0:31

And honestly, we hear from repeat customers trying to figure out what breeds still make sense to order during summer and how different summer tick arrivals are compared to March shipment.

Matt 0:42

Right, because summer ordering can absolutely still work, but the planning side changes a little once you're dealing with heat, shipping timing, and late season flock goals.

Nikki 0:52

All right, let's get into it. So, Matt, what is the most common question support gets from people who feel like they miss spring ordering season?

Matt 1:00

Okay, so honestly, one of the biggest calls we get this time of the year is people asking if there's even a point in ordering anymore because they think spring was their only chance. The question is usually, did I wait too long? And the answer is that it truly depends on your goals. You know, we try to answer honestly instead of creating urgency or making people feel like they have to buy immediately. So a lot of customers are surprised to learn that summer ordering can still make sense. You know, some people are looking to replace old layers, some are planning for fall pullets, and others are thinking ahead to next springs ex production. So getting bridge now can give them time to grow and settle in before colder weather arrives. We also talk about the difference between impulse buying and intentional planning. So spring tends to be when people get excited and order quickly. By summer, many customers have had more time to research reads, prepare their coupe, and think about what they really want from their flock. So if you're wondering whether you miss your chance, the answer is no. It's less about the calendar and more about choosing the right bridge and timing for your specific goals.

Nikki 2:11

Exactly. And it usually depends on, like you said, their goals rather than the calendar itself.

Matt 2:16

Yeah. Nikki, how are summer chick arrivals and brooder setups different compared to early spring orders?

Nikki 2:22

Well, Matt, a lot of people prepare for summer chicks the exact same way they would for March chicks, but the environment changes pretty dramatically. During spring, the primary concern is chicks becoming too cold. Shipping boxes include heat packs when appropriate, carriers and hatcheries, monitor temperatures carefully to help prevent showing. In summer, heat packs are generally not used. Shipping boxes rely more on ventilation. For brooding in early spring, the brooder must provide plenty of supplemental heat. And as we said a lot, for the first eight hours it needs to be about 100 to 105 degrees and then 95 to 100 for the first week and reduce that heat by five degrees as the chicks feather out. Overheating becomes a bigger concern, although chicks don't need a warm brooder, their surrounding room is already warmer, so the heat lamp needs to be raised to prevent overheating. Chicks should have enough space to move away from the heat source if they get too warm. As I said, ventilation and airflow matter more during summer, and it is especially important. But avoid direct drafts on the chicks. Keep in mind that transportation can also cause stress for the chicks, and it is normal for them to be a little weak because of that. Just make sure the chicks have access to plenty of clean, fresh water. We've said this many times. Just watch their behavior because they will tell you everything you need to know if there is an issue. Customers sometimes underestimate how quickly summer conditions escalate.

Matt 3:47

Right, especially because summer heat affects both shipment, stress, and brooder management once the chick arrives.

Nikki 3:53

But before we move on, here's a quick reminder from Valley Hatchery.

SPEAKER_00 3:58

Hey, this is Courtney, customer support manager here at Valley Hatchery. Quick reminder before we keep going. The moment your chicks arrive, get them into a pre-warmed brooder. Then call us right away. Do not wait until the next morning. That first 24 hours is the window that matters most. Weak chicks, lethargy, anything that does not look right. We need to hear from you immediately. Our number is 1-800-652-7606. If we are assisting other customers, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Valley Hatchery has been shipping NPIP certified day-old chicks since 2009. Our team has walked thousands of customers through their first delivery. We know exactly what your birds have been through to reach you, and we know how to help. Phone lines closed? Email us. Your message will not sit until Monday. We monitor email every single day, weekends included, anytime. Here is what every first-time mail order buyer needs to understand. Mail order chicks are not the same as locally hatched birds. They have traveled. They are tired. Getting that first 24 hours right takes expert guidance, and that is exactly what we are here to give you. And before delivery day, make sure you have downloaded our free chick care guide at ValleyHatchery.com. It walks you through everything from day one to week six, so nothing catches you off guard. Our support does not end at checkout. We are with you until your flock is fully grown and thriving. Because at Valley Hatchery, we believe that getting your chicks is just the beginning.

Matt 5:36

All right, let's jump back into the episode.

Nikki 5:39

What kinds of questions do first-time flock owners ask when they're trying to plan their production?

Matt 5:46

Okay, so a lot of newer flock owners start realizing pretty quickly that planting chickens for one season is different from planting a flock that were to be around. One of the first things that they ask about is egg production across seasons, like why hemp slow down in winter, when they'll actually start laying, and what is a realistic weekly egg count looks like once everything is mature. Breed selection comes up a lot too. So people want to know which breeds handle heat or cold better, and which ones are steady layers versus more seasonal producers. That usually leads into whether they should focus on high production layers or go with dual purpose breeds depending on their long-term goals. So coop sizing is another big one. Okay. So most first-time owners think about the birds they're buying now, but quickly realize they need space for future growth and expansion. And then there's replacement planning because hands don't lay a peak production forever. So to rotate new birds and so egg supply stays consistent over time. So overall, we help people shift from thinking short term to planning a full year cycle so their flock stays productive and manageable in every season.

Nikki 6:54

Right. Exactly. And honestly, those long-term questions usually lead to much smarter breed choices.

Matt 7:01

Yeah. What breeds or flock types usually make the most sense for summer ordering?

Nikki 7:05

Well, usually the best summer orders come from people matching breeds to their long-term setup instead of just grabbing what's left available. Good, hardy, dual-purpose breeds, heat tolerant, and adaptable breeds like the Rhode Island Red, the Buff Orpington, the Ostrolarp, Sword Rock, and the Easter acres are all great choices for summer. If you're looking to get like fall ready, pullet planning requires balancing growth, feather development, and the challenges of hot weather. Birds started in the summer actually benefit from longer daylight and abundant forage, but they often need protection from heat stress. By the time the cooler weather arrives, fully feathered pullets generally do much better and are better equipped to handle the temperature changes than the young chicks. With proper planning, summer hatched pullets can be well groomed, fully feathered, and approaching or reaching laying age just as ball begins. Avoid panic buying based on availability and match breeds to your long-term goals instead of the trends going on.

Matt 8:06

And honestly, intentional planning almost always leads to a stronger flock later on. So hopefully, this episode helps people realize summer ordering isn't automatically too late. It just requires a little more intentional planning.

Nikki 8:19

And honestly, asking the right questions early usually prevents a lot of frustration later once the birds arrive.

Matt 8:26

Realistically, every flock owner starts somewhere. And good planning matters a lot more than ordering during the perfect week.

Nikki 8:32

And real quick, if you've got a poultry question you want us to cover in a future episode, send it through the fan mail link in the description. We'd love to answer it on an upcoming episode.

Matt 8:43

Yeah, especially if you're dealing with flock planning, seasonal challenges, or redecisions right now.

Nikki 8:48

Thanks for listening to the Chicken Insights podcast, and we'll see you next time. See you next episode.