Order your chicks now, if you use a Tractor Supply or Agways or another grain store, see if you can order now. I order direct from Murray MacMurray for years now, never had a doa chick Hoovers Hatchery does not have as good a record.Even my early ordering I have found a few desired breeds to be sold out. I will get half of them in late May, but had to wait for July for the others, not desirable because it means I will have to make sure the last order is not picked on the one that will be 6 weeks older, but I can manage chaos. Eggs are obviously gold and silver at this point. My current flock is operative, but they do slacken off, unfortuantely for me, but great for them, I let them live out a natural life. The more hens in the barn, the warmer they will be in the winter. I don't think there will be many more left to order if y'all wait for Spring to start.