Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[Basskids08]

Hello my fellow NYers down the line, I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get some turkey poults? DH has been asking to get them and I'm having no luck finding them. Other than that, how has everyone been? I ended up with 6 cockerels that were supposed to be pullets so if anyone needs or wants a few, let me know!

 

[jzervas92]

Hey there everybody! I have an interesting duck story to tell! So I have about 19 hens and one annoying (but helpful) rooster. I've always wanted ducks, but never decided to take the leap! Well a few nights ago I was walking down to the coop to lock the ladies up, and I heard a really weird noise coming from my coop. To my surprise there was a duck in my coop hanging out with my chickens! No one around me owns ducks, and I was unable to find his owner. So of course I went out and bought him a pool and some yummy treats! I found out he is a rouen duck, and he also isn't a huge fan of the chickens. So I bought a small coop for him, and maybe a few ladies

Basskids08 I remember seeing an ad for turkey poults a while ago in the farm and garden section on hudsonvalley.craigslist.org

 

[MeggyC]

Jersey (or anyone else), where can I buy said solar light? I have been looking into them, but I guess I don't really understand the mechanics of them to know what to get. Does it automatically store the energy from the sunlight so you can use it at your discretion? is the light already attached or does the energy get stored in some kind of box/device that can be connected to any light of your choice? What I am thinking is if the solar energy somehow gets stored and you can connect your own light to it, maybe on the absolute coldest nights of the winter I could connect a small heat lamp to it just to keep the girls warm if I find I need it. just a thought in the works...anyone have any ideas?

also, has anyone ever whitewashed their coop? I'm reading about how it can keep mites and lice away and has all these great properties while also being safe for the chickens, but I have a few additional questions about it that I can't seem to find answers to (mainly, if it could help protect wood walls/ceiling/floor from warping and if it doesn't, can I paint using deck paint before or after the whitewash)

 

[MeggyC]

Also, I have been coming across a lot of chicken raising/keeping information on pinterest lately and this is one thing that caught my eye: Breakfast of Champions Layer feed concoction by http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/07/new-and-improved-breakfast-of-champion.html?m=1

does anyone else add to their feed for better hen health and production? I know one mentioned fermented feed which I am going to look into.

 

[carress]

Hey all, I'm selling off a bunch of chickens. They're all mixed breeds. And about a year old. I'll put an ad in the selling section, but wanted local folks to see it. Please send a message with questions I don't want to add irrelevant traffic to this thread, and I don't check it that often.

ETA I can't seem to post in the for sale thread . If you are interested or know someone who is, please send a message.
Thanks,
Christine

 

[carress]

Meggy, I could be wrong, but I doubt a solar powered light is enough to give off enough heat to make a difference. You'd probably have to run a cord -or use a car battery maybe. Also, the general consensus is that heat is no good because it keeps the birds from acclimating to the real weather. Keep them closed up at night, and they'll be fine. Last winter was a real test of that though...I know I lost birds.

 

[MeggyC]

Carress, thanks! Everyone keeps telling me the exact same thing (even in this thread), but I just figured I was going to use a solar powered light anyway so why not try to have one that allows for me to hook up a heat lamp if absolutely necessary. I guess chances are I wouldn't find one anyway or, like you mentioned, it wouldn't be enough to make much of a difference. Thanks again.

Still searching for a solar power source for lighting though, if anyone has suggestions?! THANK YOU!

 

[carress]

Dip you just want a light on at night so you're not in the dark as you lock the birds up? I have found some really good lights at the big box stores.you just have to get the higher quality ones that are 12x or better. I also had some great spot lights that I found on amazon.com. They use D batteries and gave off great Light found the name: Mr. Beams MB363 Wireless LED Spotlight with Motion Sensor and Photocell, Black, 3-Pack

 

[carress]

Basskid, there's a guy in wallkill who had some last year.let me know if you want details.

 

[MeggyC]

Carress, yeah the light is for me so I don't break a leg going in there (the coop is actually half of my yard shed, tools and equipment in the area they don't occupy) and I think I'd like to leave it on for a few hours (maybe 2 or 3 extra hours on the shortest of days) for them as the days get shorter. I am going to check out the one you listed so thanks for your help!