BYC members in Massachusetts?

[ShrekDawg]

Here are some recent pictures of them.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Here are some recent pictures of them.

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Good morning @KDOGG331. Have you looked to see if there is someone near you that processes chickens? There is a guy up the road just over the New Hampshire border that has a USDA inspected facility and processes them for you for about $5 per bird. After you pick them up you need to let them "languish" in the refrigerator for a few days before putting them in the freezer. Just a thought.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Good morning @KDOGG331. Have you looked to see if there is someone near you that processes chickens? There is a guy up the road just over the New Hampshire border that has a USDA inspected facility and processes them for you for about $5 per bird. After you pick them up you need to let them "languish" in the refrigerator for a few days before putting them in the freezer. Just a thought.

I haven’t looked into that but I may have to if I can’t find somebody! I think I may have found a home for the Welsummer but may need to look into this for the rest of them. I hadn’t thought of it. I knew I didn’t want to do it myself but hadn’t looked into or even thought of hiring someone for it. Thanks!

I’m hoping though that I can find someone to take them even if it’s just some of them. I think even getting rid of a few would help. I know it’s probably a major long shot given the whole quarantine thing and the fact that nobody usually wants roosters anyway but I would like to at least try first. I know it probably sounds really weird but I hatched them and raised them and they were my first hatch ever so I don’t really want to send them to freezer camp if I don’t have to.

But, on the other hand, realistically, I know that whoever takes them is probably just going to eat them anyway so I should probably just do it myself and use the meat myself instead of giving them away but idk. I’ll have to look into that!

Although I’m not sure if they’re even big enough yet? They’re only 17 weeks. Some of them definitely seem big enough though. Others not so much

 

[nativebackup]

Hi all! Im new to the site, but Im also new to the backyard chicken world! Im looking to build my first coop; but I just started looking at local laws and have some questions.

Im in Grafton,MA and Ive read that I can have no more than 6 hen (no roosters) and they have to have 4 square feet per bird. But thats all the info I can find about keeping backyard chickens. Would you guys mind giving me some pointers before I get started?

Thanks!

 

[pkarkos]

Okay so I know it’s kind of bad timing with the whole Coronavirus thing going on and everyone staying home but does anybody need or would be willing to take some cockerels?

I have a bunch that are starting to get on my nerves! LOL

They’re good boys, not aggressive or anything, but just have too many and they’re starting to get hormonal and crow, be interested in the girls, etc. so some of them need to go.

I want to rehome 5 of them. I have a Black Australorp, an Andalusian, an Easter Egger, a Rhode Island Red, and a Welsummer. They are all about 17 weeks old (will be on Friday) and I hatched them myself in November from eggs I got from Meyer Hatchery. They’ve only ever been on my property.

IMO they are all really pretty so hopefully someone wants to give them a good home but I’m not opposed to people eating them either. Just don’t want to do it myself.

I’m on the south shore near Kingston, Plymouth, etc. and pretty close to both the Plympton and Hanover TSC. I’m willing to meet somewhere or deliver them or whatever.

They’re free unless someone wants to pay. I just need them gone ASAP. Figured I would try posting them here before Craigslist.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this.

I would be willing to take one, if they still need homes. I am in RI so it might be a bit of a trip (I sound like such a Rhode Islander saying that) which I don't mind but I would worry about a bird in the car for so long.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I would be willing to take one, if they still need homes. I am in RI so it might be a bit of a trip (I sound like such a Rhode Islander saying that) which I don't mind but I would worry about a bird in the car for so long.

Thank you!! I managed to find homes for them but I appreciate the offer.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hi all! Im new to the site, but Im also new to the backyard chicken world! Im looking to build my first coop; but I just started looking at local laws and have some questions.

Im in Grafton,MA and Ive read that I can have no more than 6 hen (no roosters) and they have to have 4 square feet per bird. But thats all the info I can find about keeping backyard chickens. Would you guys mind giving me some pointers before I get started?

Thanks!

Hello and welcome to BYC! As far as the local requirements go, in reality your chickens need more than 4 square feet per bird. Because of the harsh winters here a much larger coop will help your chickens stay healthy and sane. Please don't fall for those "cutesy" prefabricated coops online or from Tractor Supply. Check out the coop building section on this website and research it well before getting your chicks. Building the coop and run yourself will save you lots of money and will last infinitely longer than the pre fabs. Best of luck and feel free to ask more questions.

 

[MissFrizzletheChick]

Hello and welcome to BYC! As far as the local requirements go, in reality your chickens need more than 4 square feet per bird. Because of the harsh winters here a much larger coop will help your chickens stay healthy and sane. Please don't fall for those "cutesy" prefabricated coops online or from Tractor Supply. Check out the coop building section on this website and research it well before getting your chicks. Building the coop and run yourself will save you lots of money and will last infinitely longer than the pre fabs. Best of luck and feel free to ask more questions.

100%. I almost went for the online, tiny premade ones. If you search on craigslist and stuff you can often find much better options if you are unable to build one yourself. I have a nice shed-sized one from a guy down in Connecticut.
I’m lucky to have chickens that love snow, but many chickens hate it so it is important to cater to their needs.

 

[rubysu87]

Hi all! Im new to the site, but Im also new to the backyard chicken world! Im looking to build my first coop; but I just started looking at local laws and have some questions.

Im in Grafton,MA and Ive read that I can have no more than 6 hen (no roosters) and they have to have 4 square feet per bird. But thats all the info I can find about keeping backyard chickens. Would you guys mind giving me some pointers before I get started?

Thanks!

I'm just down the road (ish) from you! My first 4 chicks are due in a couple weeks, so we're still in the planning stages for a coop and run, but most of the info, or at least the leads to ideas have come from the coop design threads here.

 

[SaMable]

Would anyone like a pair of Welsh Harlequins? She hasn’t started laying yet, but should be any day now. They hatched in August 2019. They are driving my husband crazy with the quacking in the morning outside our bedroom window.

I’m happy to meet somewhere (I’m in Concord) and do a social distancing handoff. Free to a good home.
Thanks!
Samantha