Canadians check in here....

[darklylit]

If you know people who grow apple varieties you like, ask them if you can cut scions from their trees when the trees are dormant (Mid Nov-Mar). I have purchased scion wood, but I generally try to gather it far and wide and share it with whoever wants it. You can't have trees shipped out west from Ontario(or vice versa), but you might be able to get scion wood. Here's a map of orchards in Ontario. You could contact them and probably find something you like there: https://www.orangepippin.com/orchards/canada/ontario.
Good luck!

 

[Treerooted]

Thanks @darklylit , we just moved to the area last year so we don't really know anyone yet (at least no one with apple trees). I didn't know if it would be bad form to ask an orchard...
There's a pick-your-own place I took my son to this fall; not sure if the owners are friendly or not, but I can give it a try!

 

[darklylit]

It doesn't hurt to ask. I'm a really good baker as well and I got my first scion wood from a local orchard by trading an apple pie for a bunch of scion wood. The orchard owner even gave me the apples to use in the pie!

I'm sure you'll be able to find something in Ontario but, if all else fails, Harry Burton at AppleLuscious on Salt Spring Island, BC sells all sorts of varieties of scion wood and will ship to anywhere in Canada: http://www.appleluscious.com/
Though, it would be way cheaper to get scion wood locally. You'll generally pay $4-$8 per piece of scion wood. Add shipping and it can get expensive quickly. I like trading better. Orchardists generally prune in late Winter and mid Summer anyways, so it seems ridiculous to charge people (other than a very minimal charge plus shipping) for something that will end up as mulch or compost.

 

[Treerooted]

Perfect, thanks for the extra info!

 

[jc_d1]

I assume whither a town is (anything) friendly would vastly vary from spot to spot more than province to province...I live rural so there really no concern

 

[Chickenfever16]

I bought from perfor mance poultry for the first time this spring.

Pretty good experience. I purchased 35, I lost 6; 4 within two weeks and then another much later due to stunted growth. (the dog got the sixth)

I did get one breed mix up - I didn't order any sliver laced wyandotte but I have one in my flock. I haven't e-mailed them yet just to let them know, but it's no problem from my end.

I ordered all straight run and got a more-or-less 50% split. Heavy on the roo side.

They have a lot of returning customers, and can sell out of some breeds rather quickly.
I think they could have organized pick-up with a little more efficiency, at least when I went, but it was no big deal and she was very nice (though a little frazzled lol).

Thanks for your response. A friend and I recently acquired over $600 in birds and chicks from DC heritage poultry. They have many amazing breeds. It has been nothing but a nightmare since. The chicks were very sick. Is it normal to loose 5 chicks out of 35?

 

[Treerooted]

@Chickenfever16
I think there's a lot of "it depends" on that. There is a certain mortality percentage to be expected...but just because you're outside that doesn't necessarily mean something is especially wrong. Breeds can be different and how you raise the chicks is a big factor too obviously. It was a learning curve for me having chicks for the first time, and there are changes I would make if I got that many chicks again that I think might have made a difference in not loosing weak chicks.

I'm sorry to hear your chicks were so sick.

 

[Chickenfever16]

@Chickenfever16
I think there's a lot of "it depends" on that. There is a certain mortality percentage to be expected...but just because you're outside that doesn't necessarily mean something is especially wrong. Breeds can be different and how you raise the chicks is a big factor too obviously. It was a learning curve for me having chicks for the first time, and there are changes I would make if I got that many chicks again that I think might have made a difference in not loosing weak chicks.

I'm sorry to hear your chicks were so sick.

Thanks. I have never lost chicks like this before. One or two. We have now lost 8 chicks and one bird (about 3 months old). We have raised them under very precautious conditions. Litter change daily. Medicated food. Clean water 3-4x a day. Heat lamps with digital thermometers I take to bed with me to monitor proper temps. These birds were treated with poul vites, amprolium, and antibiotics (since we've had them - not all at once). I was up through the night syringing the sick ones to keep them hydrated and medicated. I worked tiresly with my vet. These birds tested positive for Mycoplasma which makes them weak. It's been an incredibly heartbreaking experience. DC heritage is bringing more and more birds into this world just to suffer and die as so many don't have the immune systems to survive. It's absolutely dreadful

 

[Maran Chick]

I'm new to this site but have had chickens for a couple of years. We moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia this summer but I had to leave my hens behind because I worried they wouldn't travel well.

I am looking for more chickens but having a very hard time finding Heritage Breeds in Cape Breton. I really want Marans, I also am looking for Easter Eggers, and / Ameraucanas but miss chickens so much at this point I'd probably take anything.

 

[Treerooted]

@Chickenfever16
Oh that's so tough. And extra hard on you when you're putting so much effort in I remember when I had lost a few chicks I kept "seeing" dead chicks when there was none because I was constantly on alert when I went to check on them.

I don't know if any of mine were sick with anything. But the birds are six months now, and as far as I can tell happy and healthy.

I will take heed of DC though. Even just doing a quick search brought up a few very negative reviews so I think I'll stay away.

Very sad