Yeah March/April is the
Yeah March/April is the timeframe you can get them from the mail order places. Usually you can find them all summer at a local feed store. We have three of them and they are 2 1/2 and we still get a dozen eggs a week. The coop is the most expensive part. You could probably put one together for $100 if you are thrifty and have a good design.
They are way easier to take care of than a dog and they give back a bit more if you ask me.