Maine

[Egiroux]

Nice to see there are other Mainers on here. No complaints about the weather so far huh?

 

[m.kitchengirl]

I am watching everyones posts about what they are putting in the incubators and fantasizing about the first coule of swaps this spring!

Me too! I hope to add - a pair of bantam girls, thinking Wyandotte, or Dominique bantams since they are more adapted to cold, and 2 standard hens. Not sure what breeds yet. I love my Australorp & my Wyandotte, but now that my EE started laying I have changed my opinion about her a bit...
Too many chickens, I hope I have plenty of time left to enjoy them all.​

 

[kinsey228]

I was just wondering, what types of dual purpose breeds have you found that do well with our cold weather up here ? We are going to probably double our flock in the spring, and other than more Wyandottes, we don't really know what we want to get.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

We are only at 4 weeks with girls laying, but all of them are going well.
My Buff Orpington is a very reliable layer, she started first at 28 weeks & has only missed one day, so far. My EE started last (Saturday, 31 weeks), but immediately went to laying one egg a day. The Australorp was kind of slow starter but is up to daily eggs. The Wyandotte, too. They are all good.
I am new to this, though. My Papa lived in Acton & he always got sex links and Barred Rocks/Dominiques. My Mema has fond memories of capons. She practically drools & brings them up EVERY time I talk to her about the chickens & ducks. I helped them out a lot growing up, but just started raising my own, so I am sure that there are folks here who can help more.

I see a lot of Brahmas in yards around here, too.

 

[kinsey228]

I think 13 or 14 of my girls are laying. (Not everyday) I ADORE my Golden Comets and Leghorns. Eggs everyday ! My EE's too. My BLR Wyandotte lays the biggest eggs I have ever seen, and they are all double yolks. I got her at a swap last July. I don't think I'll ever have a flock w/ out my Wyandottes and my Mutts

 

[happytraylz]

I'm also planning to get some good layer breeds to add to my layer coop this spring. I have my Silkies in one, and want to have my other coop just for edible eggs, and would like to know which breeds do well in these Maine Wintahs.. I have a Barred Rock, couple of RIRs, and Americanas so far..

 

[kinsey228]

Quote:
Golden Comets and Leghorns are great layers, and cheap at Tractor Supply.

 

[happytraylz]

Quote:
Golden Comets and Leghorns are great layers, and cheap at Tractor Supply.

Thanks, do they winter well too?

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Everything winters well (for the most part) that has a clean well ventilated coop where they can roost at night out of the cold wind and cover their feet. I'm exempting silkies cause of the feather thing.

Might want to check out the "think it's too cold for your chickens..." thread.

My leghorns which are not supposed to do well in winter were awesome. My brahmas which were supposed to be great cause they were so fat, yeah, big baby.

It's all in how well they're protected from the cold. I have turkens too, they're great in the snow and cold.

 

[hoppy]

Quote:
here is the hendersons chicken chart. shows what breeders are winter hardy, average# of eggs, egg size, , very good general breed info to get you started.
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html