Maine

[annabananaandfamily]

Io have another of my ideas that seem to drive my husband mad. i am thinking of adding a couple of guineas to our flock to help'with pest control (ticks ticks ticks!). i have a lot of questions first though. will they avoid the busy road? can i keep them with the chickens? will they avoind the open play yard and venture into the 8 wooded acres like i would love for them too? how do they do with our winters? hmmm, what else should i be asking that i am missing?

 

[KrisH]

Io have another of my ideas that seem to drive my husband mad. i am thinking of adding a couple of guineas to our flock to help'with pest control (ticks ticks ticks!). i have a lot of questions first though. will they avoid the busy road? can i keep them with the chickens? will they avoind the open play yard and venture into the 8 wooded acres like i would love for them too? how do they do with our winters? hmmm, what else should i be asking that i am missing?

Check out the guinea area. they are funny, frustrating, fast, NOISY birds. you will want 6+ guineas to Start. no, they won't avoid the road, yes for the chickens, they like the open yard until they are about a year old then venture into the woods. winter should be no problem.

spend some time over at https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/45/guinea-fowl

read about everything peepsca writes. she is right on everything

RobertH

 

[PollyC]

I will be attending the Wilton Swap on Sunday. Will be bringing baby turkeys, mixed chicks, and some laying hens around a year and a half old. Maybe some other birds, depending on what hatches this week.

 

[TayFray!]

I will also be going to the wilton swap on sunday! I will be bringing 2 blue cochin hens, a white leghorn hen, rabbits (meat and pets), and some tanks and etc. Hope some people go!!!

 

[hoppy]

polly and tayfray, could you both post this as well over on the wilton thread, just to get it going.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/658780/wilton-maine-farm-swaps-at-tractor-supply-2012

 

[ashandvine]

Does any one live close to (or in Bowdoin) who has fertile eggs for a newbie to stick under her first broody?

 

[Widget]

Io have another of my ideas that seem to drive my husband mad. i am thinking of adding a couple of guineas to our flock to help'with pest control (ticks ticks ticks!). i have a lot of questions first though. will they avoid the busy road? can i keep them with the chickens? will they avoind the open play yard and venture into the 8 wooded acres like i would love for them too? how do they do with our winters? hmmm, what else should i be asking that i am missing?

They are noisy. Great watch dogs for the property except they warn you of everything even a leaf blowing by them. They will roam wherever they think they need to be. Sort of the Great Pyrenees of the bird world.

As for chickens my guineas seemed to like to bully mine. They free-ranged well together but not so much in the coop.

 

[bwockbwock]

Does any one live close to (or in Bowdoin) who has fertile eggs for a newbie to stick under her first broody?

What kind of fertile eggs are you looking for? I have mutt eggs, from one of two roosters, either a buff orpington or a blue or grey cochin, and a mixed flock of orpington, barred rock, golden comets, cochin, a production white, and a production black, 2 americuanas.
I am in Monmouth.

 

[blueseal]

Hi All!
My husband and I just got a house complete with brand new coop big enough for about 10 / 12 chickens. We are brand new to this so we are looking for some newly laying pullets (or some that are just about ready to lay) to start our first flock! We are interested in whatever varieties are good layers with a few easter eggers mixed in for fun. My question is; Where can I get started pullets in Maine? We are willing to travel about an hour and a bit from the Portland area to get them. We would also prefer pullets that have been more or less hand raised to make it easier on us for our first time out. I have checked Craigslist and Uncle Henry's without too much luck thus far...

We are looking for about 6 birds to get us started.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

hi, there is a farm in poland maine that sells started pullets all year long. empire acre farms. he advertizes on craigslist and uncle henrys 8.50 a piece per pullet.

 

[MustardTiger]

I did find this guy and pre-ordered my newb flock. 3 Easter Eggers and 3 BO to start us off in June. *excited*!
Thanks for all the suggestions!