Maine

[lazy gardener]

Does this guy sell other breeds as well? I might be interested, but only if I can get them as day old's. I have a closed flock, and would be less likely to bring in a "started" chick. I'll most likely stick with what I have, and see how the genetics work out with my current rooster. Thanks.

 

[CoopChick719]

I popped in here once before- but its been a while so I'll introduce myself again. We moved to Sabattus this summer and I'm finalizing plans for chickens in the spring. I have a *little* experience in Missouri. But I was a kid so I have lots of questions!! What is your favorite chicken for getting started up here? I'm looking at Buff Chanteclers and have a soft spot for easter eodggers. Also- is Marek's a common problem here?

Hi mntnmom, I have 17 girls. When I first started, I really wanted barred rocks. They're good cold weather birds--can be dual purpose. My 2 are kinda standoffish --pretty independent but they are still young--7 months. My Black Australorps are very friendly--can be dual purpose. My Leghorns & Red Star are good layers. My EE cross & Barred Rock Cross are sisters (1yr, 9months old) from the same roo--both good layers. The EEx lays green eggs. The BRx lays olive eggs. I haven't heard that Marek's is an issue in Maine. I had my new chicks vaccinated for Marek's. The only 2 who aren't are the EEx & BRx. My Silkie hatched them in the coop.

 

[islandgirl82]

Does this guy sell other breeds as well?  I might be interested, but only if I can get them as day old's.  I have a closed flock, and would be less likely to bring in a "started" chick.  I'll most likely stick with what I have, and see how the genetics work out with my current rooster.  Thanks.

Yes, he had several breeds last year, I just don't know what all of them were. He had the 2 varieties of spangled hamburgs, ees and what I believe were white leghorns and production reds but that was only in one tunnel (layers). I didn't see what he had in the others.

 

[JackieY]

Hi Mainers! Nice to see such a great group from our frigid state - gives me hope that my flock might make it through the winter! I'm in Durham, and I have three 23 week birds - one golden comet, one aracauna hen, and one aracauna roo. We originally ordered 6 chicks - hoping for hens - and had two roos, but about a month ago owls killed the dominant roo and carried off two hens. I think we'll get a few more chicks in the spring. We'll have plenty of eggs, though - the GC has been laying one a day for the last two weeks, and the aracauna just started yesterday!
As many folks probably are, I'm wondering about winter and keeping the critters toasty. They have a 3x4 coop, attached 4x4 run, and the whole unit is inside a stall in my barn for the winter. The gables of the coop are just hardware cloth - lots of ventilation - but no insulation. The barn itself is not insulated, either (there's some hay in the loft above, but just dirt floor). The roost in the coop is a 2x4 on its side, but lately they've chosen to roost on the ridge of the metal coop roof... Despite the fact that I imagine this makes their toes cold! I've attached a photo of the coop in its summer location, but you get the idea.
What do folks do about water? My horses have heated water buckets. What do you prefer to use for the birds? I'm reluctant to put a bulb in there because of fire risk. Bad enough to lose the birds in a coop fire, but I'm really unwilling to risk the horses, too.
Oh... Winter. Blah.
Jackie

 

[striperon]

The privy/storage construction is complete. DW was able to paint some of it as I was building it. The weather looks warm for Monday, so maybe we can finish the painting. Wiring is not complete, but about half done. I am pleased with the plan I used and with some of the changes that were my idea. It will be a good storage for feed and straw close to the coop. I will also be able to put my pickup in the garage once I clear out the remaining construction materials and tools.

My suggestion to anyone attempting one of these building projects: Every stage takes longer than you think, unless you are really experienced.

I can see why the shed retailers charge what they charge. It is not easy to build them, and lots of time is required.

 

[lazy gardener]

Jackie, I use a heated dog bowl and put a gallon jug of water in the middle to make a water moat to keep them from getting too wet. Also park the whole affair on a pallet to keep it up out of the shavings.

 

[buckabucka]

@striperon, the shed looks great! I had to chuckle at your comment about every stage taking longer than you expect. DH does carpentry and here is his way of figuring out how long a job will take: make your best guess, double it, and then raise it to the next unit of time. So, if you think a job will take 10 minutes, double it (20 minutes), and then raise it, -the job will take 20 hours.

 

[buckabucka]

Jackie, I use a heated dog bowl and put a gallon jug of water in the middle to make a water moat to keep them from getting too wet.  Also park the whole affair on a pallet to keep it up out of the shavings.

LG, I never thought of this! My new golden cuckoo rooster likes to drink out of the opposite side of the dish. I watch him drag his large wattles through the water and wonder what this will be like when it is 20 below. I have a couple Ameraucanas that are always soaked under the beak also.

I just told DH about your method, lamenting the fact that it would displace too much water for it to last all day, and he came up with this idea: Take a plastic container about the same width of a gallon jug. Cut the top edge so it is crenelated. Invert it into the dog dish and put a heavy rock on top. That way, I'll still have the same amount of water. I'll have to try this out this weekend!

 

[mlowen]

winter water... This is how I do it. Warm water in the jug each morning, stomp out the ice from the rubber bowl, put in the jug & un-screw the plug. Do again the next morning. The hens managed very well last year even in the 15 below zero times.

 

[Widget]

winter water... This is how I do it. Warm water in the jug each morning, stomp out the ice from the rubber bowl, put in the jug & un-screw the plug. Do again the next morning. The hens managed very well last year even in the 15 below zero times.