BYC members in Massachusetts?

[keesmom]

That is weird. I thought vultures only ate carrion. Sorry this happened.

Turkey vultures only eat carrion. These were black vultures, and I've seen them maybe once before around here. I didn't think they came this far north. Apparently they will on occasion kill live birds and animals, including chickens, calves and fawns.

 

[dotknott]

Definitely odd to have back vultures this far north!

 

[Jujubara]

This is a new one. Anyone else ever have chickens attacked by vultures? A pair of black vultures attacked my daughter's favorite cockerel. I thought it was odd when a raven started making a racket out back. The cockerel managed to dive under the coop. He has a bloody head, but he's lucky it wasn't a hawk. Unfortunately one hen died. I assume from a heart attack. There wasn't a mark on her.

Oh my! Sorry for the loos of your hen. I've heard people say they will attack, but I always thought it wasn't true. Definitely gonna watch out now, even though we mostly have Turkey Vultures here.

 

[friendlytoast]

I spent a lot of time tracking down a real answer to this. It is the law in MA that you have to buy six, and it was created to discourage people who aren't serious about owning/caring for chickens and end up dumping them after they grow and are no longer cute and fluffy. However, the law is not typically enforced. Some places that sell chicks want to (understandably) play it safe and make sure they have everyone on the books as buying at least the minimum. This way, if they are audited, they are ok. Other places are not concerned and will let you buy as few as you want. I would call around to local feed stores and see what their individual policy is. After I had already bought 6 chicks (thinking I had no choice) I found a number of places around where the minimum was not enforced (even individual Agways have different policies). If you only want a few, there are definitely options if you ask around.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I spent a lot of time tracking down a real answer to this. It is the law in MA that you have to buy six, and it was created to discourage people who aren't serious about owning/caring for chickens and end up dumping them after they grow and are no longer cute and fluffy. However, the law is not typically enforced. Some places that sell chicks want to (understandably) play it safe and make sure they have everyone on the books as buying at least the minimum. This way, if they are audited, they are ok. Other places are not concerned and will let you buy as few as you want. I would call around to local feed stores and see what their individual policy is. After I had already bought 6 chicks (thinking I had no choice) I found a number of places around where the minimum was not enforced (even individual Agways have different policies). If you only want a few, there are definitely options if you ask around.  

Thanks for putting in the time and effort to track it down!!!

That's interesting how the law is not enforced...

The law makes sense though because so many buy Easter chicks but that said, I think 6 is kind of high. Especially since some cities and towns the maximum allowed is only 3 or 4. I think that 3 or 4 should be the minimum not 6. Even 2 would be a good minimum because then at least they would have a friend. Even having to buy 2 or 3 would probably discourage people.

Does the law apply to ordering from hatcheries or only buying locally?

 

[Merrymouse]

Quote:
Thank you for looking this up and welcome to BYC. I like your screen name, cute. Anyway, I ordered 15 chicks plus a meal maker from Meyers already, chicks hopefully hatching 3/13. I have a friend that said she will take any chicks or roos I dont want. Not the hard part will be deciding which 8 or 9 I can give up!!! Im already worried about this and they wont even hatch for another month!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Quote:
Thank you for looking this up and welcome to BYC. I like your screen name, cute. Anyway, I ordered 15 chicks plus a meal maker from Meyers already, chicks hopefully hatching 3/13. I have a friend that said she will take any chicks or roos I dont want. Not the hard part will be deciding which 8 or 9 I can give up!!! Im already worried about this and they wont even hatch for another month!

Did you get an assortment or something where you had to get a lot? Just curious why you ordered so many when Meyer has a low minimum

 

[keesmom]

I spent a lot of time tracking down a real answer to this. It is the law in MA that you have to buy six, and it was created to discourage people who aren't serious about owning/caring for chickens and end up dumping them after they grow and are no longer cute and fluffy.

Do you know where they've hidden this in the laws? I can only find this section. I can't imagine having to buy 24 ducklings!

Section 80D: Living rabbits, baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl; sale, barter or gift

Section 80D. No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter or give away as premiums living baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age.
No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter, display or give away living rabbits, chickens, ducklings or other fowl which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the sale or display of baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age by breeders or stores engaged in the business of selling for purposes of commercial breeding and raising; provided, however, that prior to May first in any year, such ducklings may be sold or purchased only in quantities of twenty-four or more.
This section shall not prohibit, however, the sale or donation of such chickens, ducklings or fowl to schools for use in classroom instruction.
Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.

Did you get an assortment or something where you had to get a lot? Just curious why you ordered so many when Meyer has a low minimum

If you get them Dec-Mar (like Merrymouse is), the minimum is 15. It is always better to get extras anyway.

 

[friendlytoast]

Thanks for putting in the time and effort to track it down!!!

That's interesting how the law is not enforced...

The law makes sense though because so many buy Easter chicks

but that said, I think 6 is kind of high. Especially since some cities and towns the maximum allowed is only 3 or 4. I think that 3 or 4 should be the minimum not 6. Even 2 would be a good minimum because then at least they would have a friend. Even having to buy 2 or 3 would probably discourage people.

Does the law apply to ordering from hatcheries or only buying locally?

I do not know for sure, but I believe it just applies when buying locally. The minimum for ordering is due to the number of chicks it takes to keep them warm enough during transit (hence the higher minimums during the winter months).

Do you know where they've hidden this in the laws? I can only find this section. I can't imagine having to buy 24 ducklings!

Section 80D: Living rabbits, baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl; sale, barter or gift

Section 80D. No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter or give away as premiums living baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age.
No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter, display or give away living rabbits, chickens, ducklings or other fowl which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the sale or display of baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age by breeders or stores engaged in the business of selling for purposes of commercial breeding and raising; provided, however, that prior to May first in any year, such ducklings may be sold or purchased only in quantities of twenty-four or more.
This section shall not prohibit, however, the sale or donation of such chickens, ducklings or fowl to schools for use in classroom instruction.
Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.


If you get them Dec-Mar (like Merrymouse is), the minimum is 15. It is always better to get extras anyway.

I couldn't find it in the law, either, despite hours of looking/searching online. I learned it from the guy in charge of chick orders at a local feed store. I asked why they were able to sell fewer than six when I was told otherwise, and that was the answer.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I spent a lot of time tracking down a real answer to this. It is the law in MA that you have to buy six, and it was created to discourage people who aren't serious about owning/caring for chickens and end up dumping them after they grow and are no longer cute and fluffy.

Do you know where they've hidden this in the laws? I can only find this section. I can't imagine having to buy 24 ducklings!
Section 80D: Living rabbits, baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl; sale, barter or gift

Section 80D. No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter or give away as premiums living baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age.
No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter, display or give away living rabbits, chickens, ducklings or other fowl which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the sale or display of baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age by breeders or stores engaged in the business of selling for purposes of commercial breeding and raising; provided, however, that prior to May first in any year, such ducklings may be sold or purchased only in quantities of twenty-four or more.
This section shall not prohibit, however, the sale or donation of such chickens, ducklings or fowl to schools for use in classroom instruction.
Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.

Did you get an assortment or something where you had to get a lot? Just curious why you ordered so many when Meyer has a low minimum

If you get them Dec-Mar (like Merrymouse is), the minimum is 15. It is always better to get extras anyway.

Thanks for putting in the time and effort to track it down!!! That's interesting how the law is not enforced... The law makes sense though because so many buy Easter chicks but that said, I think 6 is kind of high. Especially since some cities and towns the maximum allowed is only 3 or 4. I think that 3 or 4 should be the minimum not 6. Even 2 would be a good minimum because then at least they would have a friend. Even having to buy 2 or 3 would probably discourage people. Does the law apply to ordering from hatcheries or only buying locally?

I do not know for sure, but I believe it just applies when buying locally. The minimum for ordering is due to the number of chicks it takes to keep them warm enough during transit (hence the higher minimums during the winter months). [CONTENTEMBED=/t/50058/byc-members-in-massachusetts/2100#post_18042190 layout=inline]Quote:[/CONTENTEMBED]

Do you know where they've hidden this in the laws? I can only find this section. I can't imagine having to buy 24 ducklings!
Section 80D: Living rabbits, baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl; sale, barter or gift

Section 80D. No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter or give away as premiums living baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age.
No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter, display or give away living rabbits, chickens, ducklings or other fowl which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the sale or display of baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age by breeders or stores engaged in the business of selling for purposes of commercial breeding and raising; provided, however, that prior to May first in any year, such ducklings may be sold or purchased only in quantities of twenty-four or more.
This section shall not prohibit, however, the sale or donation of such chickens, ducklings or fowl to schools for use in classroom instruction.
Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.


If you get them Dec-Mar (like Merrymouse is), the minimum is 15. It is always better to get extras anyway.

I couldn't find it in the law, either, despite hours of looking/searching online. I learned it from the guy in charge of chick orders at a local feed store. I asked why they were able to sell fewer than six when I was told otherwise, and that was the answer.

Ohhh, I forgot they had a higher minimum certain seasons haha that makes sense