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Our Favorite Fall Chicken Breeds
While many people choose to grow their flock in the spring, there are several breeds perfectly made for fall. These cold-hardy breeds not only do well in the chilly weather, but we find that these breeds are perfectly dressed for the season. With colors like gold, black, and deep red, who needs fall decor? A flock this beautiful will make your backyard flock pop and get you into the spirit of the season.
Discover some of our favorite fall chicken breeds, as well as the reasons why we think it can be beneficial to start your flock later in the year.
Table of Contents
- The Benefits of Raising Chicks in the Fall
- How to Raise Chicks in the Fall
- Chicken Breeds Made for Fall
- Order Your Fall Chicks from Myers Poultry
The Benefits of Raising Chicks in the Fall
Spring may be the traditional time to start a flock, but fall offers some advantages that can set your birds up for success. Some of our favorite reasons to raise chicks later in the year include fresh eggs in the spring, dealing with less pests and illnesses, and having less predator pressure in the fall.
Fresh Eggs in the Spring
Chickens naturally lay fewer eggs in the fall and winter because of seasonal changes. Their laying cycle is closely tied to daylight hours and weather, which means that chicks raised in the spring often reach maturity just as egg production naturally slows down. As a result, they may not hit their full laying potential until the following spring.
If you start your new brood in the fall, they will naturally reach laying maturity by spring, which is the perfect time of year for them to start laying eggs. Daylight and weather will be in optimal conditions, leading to great egg production for their first laying season.
Fewer Pests and Illnesses
When raising your birds in the fall, you'll be dealing with far less pests and mites than you would be if you'd started in the spring. Dealing with mites and pests can be extremely stressful on a new flock, and it takes time and effort to treat effectively. Throughout the fall and winter, this is much less of a concern.
Coccidiosis also thrives in warm, humid weather, which often overlaps with the time spring chicks are first transitioning to the outdoors.
This intestinal disease can spread quickly and is notoriously difficult to treat. By starting your flock later in the season, you greatly reduce the risk of exposure and give your chicks a better start.
While illness is always a possibility, the cooler and drier conditions of fall are generally more favorable for young birds that are still building up their immune system.
Predators Are Not as Active
While predators are a year-round concern, some predators tend to be less active in the fall and winter. You may see less activity from hawks and raccoons, which means your chicks will have a safer transition to living outdoors, especially if your coop is secure and has been adequately predator-proofed first.
How to Raise Chicks in the Fall
We always recommend brooding indoors to avoid drastic fluctuations in temperature or humidity. A dry, temperature regulated space outside the elements (such as a barn, shed, or garage) is all you need to successfully raise your chicks in the fall.
For a more detailed breakdown on brooding chicks, be sure to read our chick brooding blog.
Once your chicks are fully feathered (between 6-8 weeks of age), they should fare well in their outdoor coop, so long as it is well-ventilated, well-insulated, and cleaned regularly to keep it dry and ammonia free.
Heat Stress and Cold Stress
While it may seem risky to put your birds outside when it is colder, it's actually not that stressful on your flock, so long as they are fully feathered and have access to a warm and dry chicken coop.
Something new keepers may not realize is that chickens are actually far more susceptible to heat stress than they are to cold stress.
Above certain temperatures, chickens lose the ability to regulate their body temperature. They do not have a lot of internal safeguards to bring their temperature back down, so they need access to shade, hydrating treats, and fresh water. Without human intervention, they cannot handle extreme heat.
However, in the cold months, your chickens are generally much better suited to withstand the climate, especially if they are cold-hardy breeds. Chickens have natural insulation that protects them from chilly air, and as long as they have shelter, they are generally fine in the colder months.
The main thing to watch out for is frostbite on their combs and wattles, which can be prevented by keeping their coop dry and ventilated.
Chicken Breeds Made for Fall
Most of our breeds are great, cold-hardy egg layers, but some of them stand out above the rest, both for their beauty and suitability for fall and winter temperatures. If we were starting a flock in the fall, these would be some of our top breeds to consider. With colors and patterns that match the mood of the season, these birds are truly like living fall decor.
Buff Orpingtons
Perhaps the quintessential fall chicken, Buff Orpingtons are round and golden, much like a fall pumpkin or gourd. We love this breed for their friendly nature, beautiful fluffy feathers, and reliable cold-weather performance.
Golden Laced Wyandottes
Wyandottes are a top pick among our staff for their beauty and utility. Their ornate black and gold lace feathers are reminiscent of a fall quilt or flannel shirt. They are great egg layers and generally well-equipped to handle cold weather, especially with their close-fitting rose combs.
Rhode Island Reds
Rhode Island Reds are a beautiful reddish brown, reminiscent of fall maple leaves. They are perhaps one of the most classic chicken breeds out there, known for their hardiness and resilience. When farmers need a reliable egg layer, this breed is usually at the top of their list.
Americanas
Americanas have all the best colors of fall; gold, brown, and black in varying patterns. Their plumage reminds us of all the colors you'd see in a pile of autumn leaves, perfect for the fall season. And they are great egg layers, so you can expect to see some of their signature blue/green eggs when spring rolls around.
Chocolate Eggers
Chocolate Eggers are one of our favorite fall breeds. Because they are a hybrid breed, there will be some variation in their appearance. As baby chicks they are usually either all black, or orange with some black specks. Their eggs are the color of hot cocoa, a truly unique and great egg layer.
Chocolate Eggers are one of the breeds we currently have available; read more about them and add them to your flock here.
Red Sex Links
Red Sex Links are a beautiful reddish-orange with white highlights, reminiscent of a warm mug of spiced apple cider. These hens are incredibly productive, known for laying large brown eggs consistently, even through the colder months. Our staff loves them for their dependable production of large, light brown eggs.
We currently have Red Sex Links available, so be sure to check our page and see if your preferred hatch dates are open.
Order Your Fall Chicks from Myers Poultry
It's never too late to start your flock, and for some people, fall may actually be the ideal time to do it. For chicken keepers that want to grow their flock before the end of 2025, now is the best time to order your day-old chicks.
Myers Poultry still has some layer chicks for sale, including brown and colored egg layers. If you have questions about availability, don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.