Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[LSzajko]

Tractor supply got chicks and ducklings in today!

DH is stopping there to pick up feed on his way home from work tomorrow. SO glad he's going! I wouldn't be able to resist.
What did they have? The usual breeds?

All 8 eggs in the incubator are duds

Maybe Mr. Blue the Roo needs Viagra.

 

[chickengirl1193]

Hello!

Looking for help/advice/mentoring!

Hubby and I have been talking about chickens for 3 years now since we moved here from Westchester.  Just nervous about taking the plunge.  We went to Tractor Supply and see they have a 6 chick minimum.  I was thinking 3 or 4??

So how did you all get started, and are their any local resources/classes etc around here or are we stuck with books and TSC?

Barb in Blooming Grove.

Your in the right place for help! I would suggest storeys guide to raising chickens, its a very informative book and covers all topics for beginners, thats where I got most of my info for starting a flock, the rest I got from here!
I found that with enough research, once you start your flock and get your routine down its extremely enjoyable and rewarding having chickens and very little work if you have the right management techniques!
Good luck!

 

[Brznwench]

Hi Barb

We decided on 2-4 chicks last year....a very spontaneous decision. We had no coop and no clue but we left Tractor Supply with the 6 chick minimum (it's NY State law). Two days later we bought 6 more and in July another 5 so just take the plunge and surrender to Morehens Disease like the rest of us~ I'm sure your local 4H or Cooperative Extension would have information on classes. Everyone here in BYC is very nice and more than willing to help so hanging out here is your best bet for excellent advice and information

Where in Westchester did you live? I grew up in Eastchester; lived in Yorktown and Cortlandt Manor until I moved to New Windsor in 2003.

Thanks for the Welcome!

Moved here from Irvington-on-Hudson. Lived there for 15 years and before that White Plains. But I grew up in Wisconsin. Farming is in my blood! We are now, right on Beaver Dam Lake. Lots of hawks, Bald Eagles, Foxes, Coyotes, Racoons and Opossoms. That is why I have been dragging my feet. I know how attached I get to critters and couldn''t bare to lose one to the wildlife. I suppose free-ranging is out.

 

[LSzajko]

Quote:
That's a lot of predators to worry about. You'll definitely need to take some extra precautions. An enclosed run will be a necessity as well as an extra-secure coop and perimeter so nothing can dig its way in. Free-ranging would have to be done under supervision. But it's not impossible. Take the plunge! Chickengirl is right...once you have a routine they're very easy to care for and there's nothing like finding that first egg. And Storey's is definitely a great reference book!

 

[LSzajko]

On a totally UN-chicken related note::

If I consume even 1 more Cookie Dough Oreo I'm going to start lookin' like one of my Orpingtons.

Carry on!

 

[Coupe]

On a totally UN-chicken related note::

If I consume even 1 more Cookie Dough Oreo I'm going to start lookin' like one of my Orpingtons.

Carry on!

That made me giggle! Lol
Only one egg in my incubator has veining if it hatches, itll be my $70 miracle chicken!

 

[JerseyHen]

Thanks for the Welcome!

Moved here from Irvington-on-Hudson. Lived there for 15 years and before that White Plains. But I grew up in Wisconsin. Farming is in my blood! We are now, right on Beaver Dam Lake. Lots of hawks, Bald Eagles, Foxes, Coyotes, Racoons and Opossoms. That is why I have been dragging my feet. I know how attached I get to critters and couldn''t bare to lose one to the wildlife. I suppose free-ranging is out.

Welcome!!! I live in Montague, not far from where you are (right by Port Jervis). We have all of those predators as well and some... don't forget about mink, bobcat, black bear, various weasels, skunk, fisher cats, etc. I have mine in a fenced and covered run when the hawks are migrating, but I let mine out to range every day otherwise. We have lost a few to a fox attack a few springs ago and we have lost several to hawks. The hawks have been the worst. I still range them though, they get really upset if I don't let them out. I just have accepted that losses to predation is a part of having them. You could always put in "chicken tunnels". They are essentially chicken wire hoop tunnels that you can move around the yard from an opening in the run or around your garden.
https://www.google.com/search?q=chi...GG6rP0gGmsYCYBg&ved=0CCYQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=667

 

[LSzajko]

Quote:
EEEK!!! That chicken better lay some golden eggs! Years ago a friend of mine hatched ducks. My kids (very young at the time) were mesmerized by the ducks so my friend offered to loan me the incubator and sent me to the woman who gave her the duck eggs. I decided on chickens instead and she gave me a dozen eggs and another 5 that she said may or may not be viable. So I figured WTH and put all of the eggs in the incubator. I don't remember fussing with the temperature (it stayed steady at 99-100 deg.), I put a small piece of wet sponge in there for humidity and I turned the eggs everyday. 21 days later I had 17 (!!!!) chicks. I took them to a friend's house in Stormville a week or so after they hatched. I had no clue they grew so quickly! The thought of getting chickens again never crossed my mind until last year. Anyway...WHEN did it get so complicated?

 

[Brznwench]

Well, we took the plunge.

 

[JerseyHen]

Well, we took the plunge.

Yay! What did you get?