In 2023, many backyard poultry lovers missed out on the chicken breeds they were hoping to add to their flock due to higher demand than in years past and thus limited availability. To avoid disappointment this year, it’s essential to plan ahead and place your orders early for the 2024 inventory season which begins in November of 2023. Doing so will give you a better chance of securing the breeds and hatch dates that work best for your flock and schedule. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of planning ahead, offer tips for selecting the right breed for you, and touch on seasonal availability for certain poultry types.

Planning Ahead Matters

Planning ahead for your 2024 backyard flock allows you to:

• Choose from a larger variety of breeds and higher quantities
• Secure the hatch date that best fits your schedule
• Coordinate hatch dates with processing dates for meat birds
• Avoid missing out on popular or rare breeds

Remember, many fellow poultry keepers are also planning their flocks, so placing your order early increases the chances of you getting what you’re hoping for – and avoids having to wait for the dreaded Back In Stock Notifications.

Choosing The Right Breeds For Your Flock

With so many breeds to choose from, it can be daunting to decide which ones are the best fit for your backyard flock. To assist you in making an informed decision, we have several blog post and help desk articles, with breed spotlights and covering topics such as:

• Breed characteristics and temperaments
• Egg production and egg color
• Heat and cold hardiness
• Choosing the right meat bird

Take advantage of these resources to find the perfect breeds for your unique needs and preferences.

Fair And 4H Deadlines

Many fairs and 4H groups have specific deadlines for when you need to obtain birds by or when the birds need to hatch. Placing your 2024 order early helps ensure that you are able to choose the birds you want and have them by the deadline you need them.

Coordinating Hatch Dates And Processing Dates

If you’re raising meat birds, coordinating hatch dates with processing dates is crucial for efficient flock management. By planning ahead, you can ensure that your birds reach the appropriate age for processing without overcrowding your brooder and coop. If you aren’t sure which meat bird is best for your family and farm, check out our blog post on choosing the right meat bird.

Keep in mind, that even with the best planning and placing orders early, we are still dealing with live animals. Unexpected circumstances may still arise that can delay or change an order.

Don’t delay – start exploring our inventory and place your order today!

For more ordering tips like How We Use Substitution Notes, check out our other Ordering With Meyer Hatchery blog posts.