BYC members in Massachusetts?

[tigger19687]

ohh, can't wait till I buy a farm and I can have a Guinea !!

Welcome

 

[drellbug]

You didn't say Where you want to move to. MA is Large and if you are talking NH too that is a big area.
Out western MA should be easy to have chickens but even some of them will have regulations if you are in town ?

I am looking for Land and to have a Farm. I still have to look at every towns laws and also how much the property tax is.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear, I am looking at places in Massachusetts within an hour of Boston.

 

[tigger19687]

1 hr out of Boston takes you all the way to Worcester, Nashua and tuanton.
That is a large area

 

[Karl@MagooFarmstead]

Hello people of Massachusetts! We have half acre in Stoughton called Magoo Farmstead where we have chickens, bees and a small garden. We started out with 9 chickens - 3 Bard Rocks, 3 Wyandottes, and 3
australorps. Sadly we have lost one of each. One from a respiratory illness and two from hawks.
We are looking for ways to deter flying predators from dining on our chickens. We want the to be able to range.
Karl

 

[Powerhour]

Hi Karl, not much you can do except supply cover. I’m lucky enough to have a good deal of shrubbery between my yard and my neighbors and have had one Killed and two others attacked by hawks over three years. I only free range part time and have started putting the girls in earlier than dusk because I also lost two to coyotes last summer.
Gatehopper

 

[Karl@MagooFarmstead]

Hi Karl, not much you can do except supply cover. I’m lucky enough to have a good deal of shrubbery between my yard and my neighbors and have had one Killed and two others attacked by hawks over three years. I only free range part time and have started putting the girls in earlier than dusk because I also lost two to coyotes last summer.
Gatehopper

Hi Powerhour, We do have cover. Maybe we should have more but what I've seen is the hawk got it under the bush. I think free range only part time when we are out there is the best option as this time.
We were thinking of putting a scarecrow or fishing line across the yard or some kind of deterrent. The fishing line we are on the fence and don't think that is a good option for us. Any other ideas?
We just put in a new order for new Chicks through Chickadee Feed and grain in Walpole.

 

[Powerhour]

Bird netting is pretty cheap. I purchased a big box but never deployed it. Would destroy our view. I guess it’s part time ranging for both of us. The good news is the days are getting longer so the girls will have more freedom and we get more eggs.
Gatehopper

 

[keesmom]

We are looking for ways to deter flying predators from dining on our chickens. We want the to be able to range.
Karl

Not much you can do, other than keep them penned up when a hawk finds you.

We have a lot of cover which does help against red tailed hawks and other broadwings. I've only lost 1 in 16 years to a red tailed. However the local Cooper's hawks are masters at hunting through woods and cover. They will dive right into brush after chickens or small birds. I've probably lost more chickens to hawks than any other predator over the years.

An enclosed covered run is useful when other predators find you. We've had occasional daytime coyote and fox attacks. Generally in the spring when they have young to feed.

 

[tigger19687]

@Powerhour Where did you buy the big box, how much and what is the size of the netting?
I will be sectioning off parts of my yard (which is not very big) but i want to net over it.
Was going to try the fishing line and I may at first just to see how it goes. Watched all sorts of videos but still on the fence about it.

Really the only way to protect them all would be fence them in or some kind of netting over it... or maybe a dog? But I am not interesting in an "outside dog" that is just not right in my mind.

 

[Powerhour]

Hi tigger , bird netting 50x100 on Amazon $76 thru $100
Any cover helps. I allow a wild rasberry to grow behind the coop. It’s taking over my old garden area but grows thick and provides seasonal snacks for the birds. I too would love a yard dog but will wait to retirement to spend more time with it. Not right to leave them alone.