Connecticut!

[peckhamchick]

Hi there,

I'm at URI in Kingston and have family in CT (Mystic). If anyone is ever around, and you want to check-out the university flock, give me a shout and I'd be happy to give a tour

-Kate
P.S: I love the Barred Rocks, too!

 

[thechickenfarmer]

Hi Kate,
How big is the university flock? This may be a stupid question......but.....Is the flock all Rhode Island reds? Jen

 

[greenChickens]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum and live in northwest CT (winsted). I have 8 hens that I purchased from Ideal last year - I got 15 originally, but lost a few to something last summer (I think it was a skunk or hawk - more likely skunk)

I have just orderd 15 more chicks from Ideal.

I really enjoy the chickens - when I was a kid I visited some relatives who had them and I thought they were great, then my folks got some for us and a weasel got them after a month or so.

The chickens are all living in a greenhouse where they spent last year while they wait, paitently, for me to complete their coop! My 20 month old daughter loves to go out and feed the chickens with me now - I can't wait to see her face when the chicks arrive. My wife has even grown to like the chickens!

Jay

 

[thechickenfarmer]

Hi Jay,
Welcome to BYC! I live in Warren so we're not to far from each other. What kind of chickens do you have? I have Barred rocks, Buff Orps and Salmon Faverolles. I'm looking to add a few new egg layers in some different breeds when I can find some. I don't have time or space for chicks right now. Chickens are a great hobby for kids I agree, it will be so good for you daughter to grow up around chickens. I have three boys and they're a big help with the chores.

Jen

 

[peckhamchick]

Hi Jen,

It's a relatively small flock, and yes, we do have RI Reds (after all, it's our state bird). But we also wanted to maintain the genetic diversity of the species by caring for some of the more endangered breeds.

We have:

4 Aruconas
6 Barred Rocks
3 Blue Andelusians
9 Delawares
6 Rhody Reds

and we have broilers, too
25 Rock Cornish crosses

I have a thread posted all about them:
Index>>Raising Baby Chickens>>University Chick Flock

Are you in Warren, MA or Warren, RI?

 

[greenChickens]

Thanks,
Well its nice to know there are other chicken nuts in the area

Anyhow - when I ordered chickens last year I was in a quandry I only wanted a small flock but I wanted a lot of different breeds - so I ended up ordering 15 chickens 12 different breeds. Now I have 8, 7 different breeds.

I enjoyed having all the different types, but it has some drawbacks. For one you never really know if a chicken is acting "normal" for the breed - also if you lose one, its the only one of that type

So, with this years order I am trying to build up the groups a bit.
When the chicks arrive I should have:
3 Araucanas
3 Rhode Island Reds
3 Barred Rocks
3 Buff Rocks
3 Golden Laced Wyandottes
3 Jersey Black Giants
3 Leghorns
1 Silver Laced Cochin and
1 Blue Cochin (I think)
the cochins were part of a 3 bird assortment I got last year and was never really sure what types they were

I should have lots of eggs and lots of fun. About how many chickens do you have? Also any suggestions for fencing - I was letting the chickens wander around the yard a lot last summer, but then I had a few killed by a skunk I think.

Jay

 

[thechickenfarmer]

Hi Again Jay,
Wow that's a great selection of chickens. Right now I only have 15. It's killing me to look at everyone's chick pictures, I'd really like to get some. If I don't have any luck finding some started pullets I may have to cave in.

Here's a picture of the fence that my husband made for me. It's 7 or 8 ft. tall but it's not coverd on top. We may still decide to do that. There are 2 apple trees that cover most of it so I'm not to worried about hawks but always worry about racoons where I live. I put them in at dark of course so it hasn't been a huge concern. We lined the whole bottom edge with hardware cloth that goes under the soil a bit for extra protection. Where I am there are fox, coyote, possom, racoons and lots of hawks, all the preditors a chicken can have but by far the worst thing I've had to protect my chickens from is two HORRIBLE neighbors with dogs they can't control. It's been really frustrating. The dog warden has done everthing she can with warnings and tickets and even got the police involved. These people have plenty of money, they pay the fines and let their dogs run. I can accept if I loose a chicken to a wild animal but not a neighbors dog. Sorry to go on but this subject that really makes me furious. Anyway good luck with your fence. Jen

 

[beejay86]

Hi Jen (thechickenfarmer) and other New Englanders!! Where do you get your birds? I'm only about an hour from you. I usually have to drive 2 hours for mine so any other options will be appreciated! Thanks. -Brian.

 

[beejay86]

Jen, write a letter to your neighbor and copy the police and dog officer. Tell them if the dogs trespass on your property and harass your chickens again, you will shoot them. They are fairly warned. That is what I would do, just an idea. -Brian. ps. beautiful birds and very nice coop!!

 

[thechickenfarmer]

Hey Brian, I got my first set of chicks at the Blue Seal feed store in Torrington, CT last spring. Then last fall I bought my Salmon Faverolles from a breeder in North Carolina and had them shipped. What are you looking for? Right now I'd like to add a couple of pullets that are already started but I'm finding they're not so easy to come by. I've been told there is an Agway in Burlington that sells older pullets but later in the spring. I love chicks but just don't have time or space right now.
We did actually write a letter to the neighbors and are forwarding a copy to the police and our lawyer as well. The dog warden gave us that advice and I think it's good. The problem is if these dogs get out, or are let out then they're going to come directly here because they know we have chickens now. Sometimes I wish I could shoot their dogs but I know they'd just replace them with more bad dogs. These people have it in their heads that since they bought a house in the country their dogs are entitled to run free. It's unbelievable!