When's the best time ??

[The Large One]

So when is the best time to acquire POL chickens ??

Been reading up and since times cracking on and TBH I doubt we can get any chooks till after we come back off Holiday in 2nd week in Oct is that too late as books say chickens shut down egg production as day light shortens and seems silly for us first time chook owners to struggle with them overwintering with little egg reward

[chris]

I got my POL's in October - which meant I had eggs over the winter period

[Suechooks]

If you're after laying hybrids they are available all year round. If you get POL (thats an age range rather than a promise that they'll lay the next day!) they will probably start laying and continue through the winter.
Most hens after their first year go into moult at the end of the summer and stop laying then. Pure breeds generally don't start again till the days get longer maybe around February but hybrids will come back into lay much quicker. Hybrids will lay an egg a day in the first year and decline gradually over the next few years. Pure breeds tend to lay less in first year but continue laying for more years.

[The Large One]

Execellent, thanks
Was thinking Oct was too late, not that we mind feeding them with no return over winter but as newbies thought it just might add another obstacle to overcome.

[frias]

My ex-batts (Warrens) and Black Star laid all winter but my Speckledy had quite along rest and the Welsummer took a 7 month winter rest.

[RichmondHens]

Welsummers never lay in the winter, they are lazy so and so's. They easily get put off by bad weather. Just as well that when they do lay their eggs are gorgeous. It's quality rather than quantity with Wellies.

If you want winter layers get hybrids, although some pure breeds will lay through in their first season.