Maine

[quailtrail]

Hey everyone...been catching up crazy busy and everyone is taking turns being sick.

More newbies!!! I'm new myself. Started in August and just love them!! They are quite happy to have found an area to dust bathe. They were squawking away in happiness. Hoping this is it for the snow!!!

Checked eggs yesterday and was excited to see at least half developing. They are due to hatch next week!! e

I have seedlings ready for outdoors they are growing so fast lol!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

My eggs go into lock down tonight. I think the repaired cracked egg died. Will check it again tonight before removing it.

 

[87jmchugh]

Welcome to BYC 87jmchugh.  You can choose to vaccinate, or not, depending on what you feel is most prudent to do.  At least one hatchery DOES NOT recommend Marek's vaccination for the small flock.  There is some evidence that turkeys impart  a bit of immunity to Marek's to a chicken flock.  There are plenty of wild turkeys in the state of Maine.  Also, there are at least 6 strains of Marek's, and the vaccine may or may not contain the strain that your flock will be exposed to.  Even though most birds are exposed to Marek's, very few of them become infected.  It appears to be an opportunistic disease which shows up when a flock or particular bird is run down, and has a poor immune system.  You'll find that there is a lot of controversy regarding keeping the back yard flock.  Vaccinate?  Medicated feed?  Preventive Worming?  Free range?  Heated coop?  Supplemental light?  My advice to you is to read both sides of every issue, then make your decision.  Realize that no matter what you choose to do, a lot of folks will be convinced that you are doing it wrong, and others will be convinced that you are brilliant because you are doing it the same way they would!   Regarding most decisions, there is no right or wrong answer.  But there is the choice that makes the most sense to you and which works best for your flock. 

When are your chicks coming, and what breeds have you chosen??  Enjoy!

Thanks for the input. DH and I have decide we are going to order the vaccine today. Rather safe than sorry we suppose. We have 24 females and 1 roo Dominique's coming Thursday or Friday!!! It's been a log overdue wait and finally they will be coming home!!

Wee Acre Farm... Thanks for the info on were to find vaccine.

-J&M

 

[Branch Chickens]

My tomatoes are growing like crazy, and the peppers seem to be sprouting today, just 5 days after planting! They must be as excited for spring as I am!

 

[quailtrail]

My eggs go into lock down tonight. I think the repaired cracked egg died. Will check it again tonight before removing it.

 

[lazy gardener]

87jmchugh, congratulations on your Dominiques. They were supposed to be the back bone of my flock last spring, but the hatchery sent 100% males! Grumble, grumble, grumble... How difficult could it be for a "professional" sexer to pick pullets in an auto-sexing breed?????? So, I'm trying again this year, hoping for better luck! I think you've made an excellent choice. The chicks I had were delightful. They were always the first ones in the brooder to try any new treat offered, and they were wonderful foragers. I loved their little rose combs.

 

[suzMEchicks]

I'm still new too having just got through the first winter with my 6 chickens. I have 2 white leghorn, 2 RIR, 2 black sexlink. I love them all but probably the black sexlink a little less than the others . They are fatties and eat like crazy. I'm pretty sure they were the ones who started the egg eating. They are not affectionate. The leghorns are most friendly . The RIR after that. You cannot beat leghorn for egg production IMHO. I'm pretty sure they both laid all through the winter except maybe two days.

 

[Cknldy]

Congrats everyone on the chicks and seeds! Our seeds came up just days aftet planting in trays in the house and are in need of the outdoors already too. I stopped at a certain store to get feed and saw chicks dying in the bin. Quick! All soft hearts run for a worker! And....then talk them into letting you take them home for free to try to save them...and then drop Sav-a-chic in them like there's no tomorrow...and then recall that you caught a glance at what they were labeled as- Americaunas. I only promised not to BUY chicks, no one said anything about rescuing free chicks! Sadly it doesn't look good for one, maybe two. Got a couple of fighters and the light hasn't gone out of their eyes yet

 

[lazy gardener]

Good luck with the babies, Cknldy.

 

[SanCarlos6127]

87jmchugh, congratulations on your Dominiques. They were supposed to be the back bone of my flock last spring, but the hatchery sent 100% males! Grumble, grumble, grumble... How difficult could it be for a "professional" sexer to pick pullets in an auto-sexing breed?????? So, I'm trying again this year, hoping for better luck! I think you've made an excellent choice. The chicks I had were delightful. They were always the first ones in the brooder to try any new treat offered, and they were wonderful foragers. I loved their little rose combs.

You have any Dominique roos you want to get rid of? I am looking to start a flock of these later in the season...