Maine

[Mainechick168]

Ash, We had a little respiratory outbreak here maybe a month ago? One of my white rocks was wheezing and sneezing awful, she couldn't really even close her beak she was so congested. I bought her inside for 24 hours and did the vetrx for everyone, and they are all good as new within 2 days.

 

[hoppy]

i'd try the swaps. i started hatching in april but most local birds were not laying yet (i bought shipped eggs and sold off the rest) plenty of people buy 15 (the min to get shipped, and sell the extras at the swaps)

Another question... Are there any places local that offer heritage poults in the spring? Or would you suggest ordering online? If online, favorite sources?

 

[Widget]

i'd try the swaps. i started hatching in april but most local birds were not laying yet (i bought shipped eggs and sold off the rest) plenty of people buy 15 (the min to get shipped, and sell the extras at the swaps)

If anyone is interested I would be willing to split an order in the spring. Hard to believe I am already trying to figure out what I want and when I want it. Usually I can hold off until the middle of December.

Not as ambitious today. I managed to get the laundry done, set up a pallet to store hay on for the winter, put together a homemade insulated water bucket for the horses and picked up ten bags of wood pellets at Lowe's. It was nice to order online and have the pellets ready to be loaded as soon as I got to Lowe's. Hopefully the water bucket will work for the winter. Too expensive to run a heater and a pain to constantly chop ice and/or lug water buckets.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

If anyone is interested I would be willing to split an order in the spring. Hard to believe I am already trying to figure out what I want and when I want it. Usually I can hold off until the middle of December.

Not as ambitious today. I managed to get the laundry done, set up a pallet to store hay on for the winter, put together a homemade insulated water bucket for the horses and picked up ten bags of wood pellets at Lowe's. It was nice to order online and have the pellets ready to be loaded as soon as I got to Lowe's. Hopefully the water bucket will work for the winter. Too expensive to run a heater and a pain to constantly chop ice and/or lug water buckets.

I'm not sure I want 7 birds, but I might take 3 or 4. Are they sexed?

 

[Widget]

No. Straight run. I don't know anyone who sells sexed day old poults. My guess would be because toms aren't outlawed like roosters are in most places. That and most people just want them for the table so gender isn't as important unless one is looking to have a pair for breeding.

 

[gracejr]

No. Straight run. I don't know anyone who sells sexed day old poults. My guess would be because toms aren't outlawed like roosters are in most places. That and most people just want them for the table so gender isn't as important unless one is looking to have a pair for breeding.

If my friend and I can't meet minimum on our own, then I'd be in for a combined order! After reading some more, I think I've decided on Bourbon Reds. I just need to figure out where/how I'll be brooding them out, I don't want a brooder in the house with a newborn (too dusty!), and I don't have a garage. Debating getting some male chicks as well, depending on how cheap they are. Right now I'm not very confident in the abilities of my roosters!

Where would you be ordering? How early do they start taking orders anyway?

 

[Widget]

If my friend and I can't meet minimum on our own, then I'd be in for a combined order! After reading some more, I think I've decided on Bourbon Reds. I just need to figure out where/how I'll be brooding them out, I don't want a brooder in the house with a newborn (too dusty!), and I don't have a garage. Debating getting some male chicks as well, depending on how cheap they are. Right now I'm not very confident in the abilities of my roosters!

Where would you be ordering? How early do they start taking orders anyway?

I had good luck with Cackle last year. I know the new price list comes out next month. So probably sometime in December they will start taking orders. I usually order the last week in December or early January. I do this in the hopes that I will get it done and over with and not get carried away in the spring. So far that hasn't worked.

. And I will also be doing a Saxony duck order from Holderread's. That usually goes in in late December so I can get this year's prices. So far I've been good about not being tempted with more ducks in the spring.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I had good luck with Cackle last year. I know the new price list comes out next month. So probably sometime in December they will start taking orders. I usually order the last week in December or early January. I do this in the hopes that I will get it done and over with and not get carried away in the spring. So far that hasn't worked.

. And I will also be doing a Saxony duck order from Holderread's. That usually goes in in late December so I can get this year's prices. So far I've been good about not being tempted with more ducks in the spring.

Now wait a second, didn't you go duck-overload last year?

 

[Widget]

Yes. But the fox helped me solve that problem.

With that issue solved

all I want is a nice breeding pair or trio of Saxonies and a pair or trio of Muscovies. I already have the Indian runners. So it will be a small order of ducks.

 

[hoppy]

I certainly was an auction winner today!! I got some great items for christmas gifts. even a tapestry with bears from germany that was at least 40 yrs old (yes it smells that old but it's really well made and you'd never guess it was that old due to the quality) might just keep it and hang it on my wall.
if ordering turkeys, if you go with broad breasted, i was warned not to get them too early otherwise they get huge and have to be cut up to fit in the oven. (is 40# too big for a turkey dressed???) heritage turkeys grow slower, so getting them early is not as much of an issue.