4 Hens need new home in Central MA: FREE

[bsandakly]

I have 4 hens in need of a new home. We have had them for 3 1/2 years. My boys are older and too busy to care for them. We raised them from day old chicks, and have been good friends to us! The coop we built is like Fort Knox! We let them out every day, but keep them in the coop most of the time due to many wild animals in the area. FREE to anyone who wants them!

 

[GardenerGal]

A coop like Fort Knox? LOL! That's what it takes to keep the varmints out, definitely.
Were your hens vaccinated for Marek's Disease as day-old chicks? My barn was exposed to Marek's years ago and while none of my flock has shown any signs of it for the past couple of years I have only been taking in vaccinated birds to be on the safe side.

 

[bsandakly]

I just looked up that disease, because I had not heard of it before. No, we had no vaccinations for the chicks. We got them at Klems in Spencer, and were told they were between 1-3 days old, back in April 2009. We did buy 6 chicks, and have lost 2 in the last 6 months to some disease? The one you speak of seems to affect the chickens in the first few months. We were beginners and learned as we went along. If you can't take them, do you know of any other place that might? Thanks!

 

[GardenerGal]

Hi - More likely the chicks died of other causes.Marek's is really contagious and if one chick gets it probably all of them will and the symptoms are very recognizable. Most chicks sold by farm/feed and hardware stores don't get any vaccinations. They are ordered from hatcheries that only vaccinate as a special order at 12-15 cents or so apiece. I'd love to take your girls but don't want to take any chances that there is any Marek's still in my barn.

I used to have friends in Spencer and visited there every week but I don't know anyone in the area who wants chickens. If you can't find anyone, the MSPCA has a shelter in Methuen, Mass. that takes small farm animals and poultry, and they would find an adoptive home for your hens. Check their site out:
http://www.mspca.org/adoption/methuen-nevins/

 

[gunnarwordon]

I'll take them. when can we meet?

 

[bsandakly]

I am in Central Massachusetts. Did you want to come pick them up? I have no idea how I would transport them.

 

[FromChictoChick]

Are you parting with the coop?

 

[gunnarwordon]

I am in Central Massachusetts. Did you want to come pick them up? I have no idea how I would transport them.

well how far are you from springfield?

 

[Green Lantern]

Did you find them a home yet?

 

[ortellifamily]

Do they have a home?