Connecticut!

[LadyGoldberry]

Wow! What fun reading through this whole thread. Such solidarity to find so much chicken enthusiasm in my neighborhood. I am in Stamford, Glenbrook neighborhood and am planning buy a tractor and four hens sometime in the next few months. Waffling back and forth about a good time and which breeds. I want hardy, gentle, good producing hens and everyone likes pretty too. I grew up in Michigan with a constant flock of Rhode Island Red which were less warm and friendly than I am hoping for. Anyone have any extra hens they'd be willing to sell this spring or tips about which breeds I should consider? I am drawn to Buff Orps, Wyandottes, Australorps and of course Araucanas for their pretty eggs.

 

[Beth G.]

For a health tip since I have not been on here much. Please be sure to keep your chickens hydrated this winter. I know the last two days have been mild with no freezing but, it will get cold again. Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Poultry in general need water more than food in winter to keep their fat content equail distributed and hydration is the only thing that can help. I find that my birds feed intake will go down during really cold snaps but, water intake goes up. Some of you may think I'm crazy but, when you have raising chickens as long as I have you will see it in time

I for one can not use heated waterers for two reasons, One my electric bill would be ridiculous with heating 8 different coops and 18 breeder pens and Two I'm afraid of barn fires as I am a Farm Insurance agent

I'm the one that gets the call when it happens and it happens trust me so that has me so worried I don't use heated waterers or heat lamps in outdoor coops.

Instead I use flexible rubber tubs outside 8 pens that I bang out every evening when I put the birds away at night and then refill with fresh water in the morning. For my Breeder pens I use smaller metal bowls that I take out at night defrost from the woodstove, wash them in Oxine, and then refill in the morning.

The other thing I do to help naturally promote thirst is add Molassas to the water. The ratio is 1 TB to 1 Gallon of water water. I save old gallong plastic vinager jugs and use those to measure up and mix the water up. The birds love it and it definately gets them drinking.

 

[new chick 203]

Welcome LadyGoldberry. Those are all good breeds for this area. My Orp girl is super sweet, but I have had a wyandotte that was a perfect lap chicken. She liked bubble baths and being held. She even laid eggs on my lap a couple of times. Cochins are sweet hearts too, but lay less and go broody, so that's something to consider. Good luck.

 

[jimmythechicken]

hi everyone i haven't been on hear in for ever so i figured i would pop in an post some pics of this years birds.debbie aka little blue on hear had a great show year she won reserve grand champion large fowl for jrs best in breed an reserve in breed in the conn poultry show the spring little roody show.she then won best in breed reserve in breed an champion english bird in the boston poulty show an at congress she won best in breed reserve in breed an reserve champion in english birds.

 

[LadyGoldberry]

Beth, I didn't realize hydration was so important in the winter. This is the kind of genius insider information I want to gain from community like this. Why the molasses? Does it just make the water more enticing by adding sweet flavor? The simple idea of bringing in the bowls at night to warm and clean is smart. I won't have electricity to my coop so I will have to operate off of a similar plan.

 

[LadyGoldberry]

New Chick, Thank you for the warm welcome! I am glad to hear my ideas are on the right track. Your story about your sweet Wyandotte is incredibly heartwarming. That's exactly the kind of sweet personality I would love to happen on. I have four little boys and I am really hoping chickens become a bright, and happy learning experience for them to remember. You make me very hopeful.

 

[Galinha]

Hi New Chick,

No, the critter I've been dealing with is not as burly as this guy so I'm 99% sure it's a weasel and not a fisher cat. And he is SMART! We had a Hav-A-Heart trap set for him but he is too smart to be caught. We'll just be diligent in checking for any attempts at "unauthorized entry" into our coop and run. Plus, I am not letting any of my birds choose to roost out in the run. I now make them go in the coop at night (despite the fact I've seen this weasel in broad daylight) where I feel they are even more protected now. This incident and listening to more experienced chicken folks share their experiences has taught me not to assume once safe, always safe.

Galinha, is this what your predator looked like?

http://darien.patch.com/articles/fisher-cats-a-small-new-menace-in-northern-fairfield-county

 

[new chick 203]

How much you handle them when they are little has allot to do with it too.

New Chick, Thank you for the warm welcome! I am glad to hear my ideas are on the right track. Your story about your sweet Wyandotte is incredibly heartwarming. That's exactly the kind of sweet personality I would love to happen on. I have four little boys and I am really hoping chickens become a bright, and happy learning experience for them to remember. You make me very hopeful.

 

[celticgarden]

I'm curious about the molasses choice too.

 

[new chick 203]

I'm curious about the molasses choice too.

me too. Do you use ACV as well. with both it sounds like the beginning of a good BBQ sauce.