Maine

[SeaChick]

I wasn't going to say anything, but I have to agree about Longhorn's treatment of their animals.

They ARE really nice. And I DO like supporting small local businesses a lot. And they're GREAT about special-ordering things. In many ways I really love them. BUT I have seen some really atrocious conditions there with the livestock. One year we went in March. It was SNOWING and BLOWING stink. Right inside the door, in a huge, direct draft anytime someone opened the door, was a bin of chicks. Several of them had terrible pasty butt. Everyone knows day-old chicks must be protected from drafts.... this was just ridiculous! And don't get me started about the camper full of poultry out back. I make sure we sanitize our shoes before we walk in our own coop if we've been there. It's pretty sad

One could argue that it's just the old-time Maine farmer's mentality of animal-keeping versus those of us who've come to chicken-raising more recently and are more concerned with things like animal welfare, the environment, etc. And that's fine. But we've tended not to give them much business based on the way they treat their animals, and that's our own choice. YMMV.

 

[gstone]

I wonder if they knew how people felt if they would be inspired to make changes. It doesn't take much effort to give animals water, remove dead animals

or move chicks out of the drafty location. I wonder why the are so oblivious?

strange.

 

[spook]

I wouldn't give them much attention or business afterwards either. But, you should have "helped" them out by asking where they SHOULD go, not where they were. It is appalling to see how some people raise birds, well, having been raised in a agricultural community, all animals. From rotting dead to the rotting of alive livestock, those that I prefer not to mention of certain religious lifestyles and how they will not treat with medicine, yet will allow a beast to succumb to the will....(please know, I appreciate all beliefs and not intending for anyone to get hurt feelings or judge here). Its a matter of cull if ill, even if you have to toss shavings on old bedding due to your own illness, laziness, inhumanness, make it look like you do care.
Also, isn't it amazing that "animal husbandry" has taken on new forms to some...those of us that pride ourselves on our flocks, to better breeds, eggs, show, or even my own back yards "science projects" of mixed breeds! But an old timers idea of animal care goes along with the rough handling, filth, flies, frozen water, if there is water because they don't feel that critters have emotions, personalities or care.
I saw a dealer that would come to events to buy up cheap birds- who knows what else, he would grab a bird however and drop them in another cage, no food/water for hours, sitting on the ground for several hours. Some of us older BYC Chickenstock folks remember him, don't know where he went, glad he has not shown up around me since! Not that I wish ill upon him, but karma would be a super thing seeings all he did was send them to Auction.
The two sides to look at everything... I'll step off my soap box now, sorry to have interrupted!

 

[MrChicken207]

Caribou here. (That's WAY North). Just checking in and letting peeple know that chickens do exist this far North. (I actually used to have some growing up, about 50 miles even further North than Caribou). don't have any right now, but really itching for some

 

[TimG]

Quote:
That would make you Canadian, right?

 

[VioletBlueIvy]

Hello everyone!
I am in central Maine, in Lagrange.

I am from central Maine(near Lincoln)

We must be practically neighbors, Hi!

Hello Maine chicken lovers!

My mom just got her coop. She and her chickens absolutely love it!!!! She was very happy with the whole experience. Nice Job!

In answer to the op's question, not a necessity I dont believe, but better, more comfy for the birds, and easier for you.
My coop is not insulated, the hens were AOK but the rooster got a bit of frostbite on the tips of his comb and wattles one night. After that I put a heat lamp out there over their roost and turned it on if it was going to get below freezing. I had to use rubber buckets for water. I would bring one in so the ice would thaw while the other one was in use so they always had fresh water. Some days I had to change it in the am and pm to make sure they always had water.
They ate more in the colder weather too. You will probably use less feed in a warmer coop. I also bought them scratch grain, I was told the corn helps them stay warm.
I am going to put the clear plastic roofing on my coop and insulate it before this winter. I also made them a screened in porch that I want to make a sun porch with the roofing as well. I am glad to see others have tried it successfully, I have never seen one done up like that, but it just seemed like a good idea to me.

Good to hear from you!

 

[Roots Coops & More]

Thanks! I'm glad your mom and her chickens like the coop and pen. When I first met her, she told me about you and your chickens and goats. I'm getting goats in a couple of weeks. Very excited! Oh, and by the way, we went to the same high school. Though, we weren't there at the same time! You might know my younger brothers.

 

[NewEnglandChick]

Just discovered that Mainers had their own thread..who knew?!

I'm in Nobleboro (between Rockland & Damariscotta) with a small flock of lovely girls!

 

[VioletBlueIvy]

Rootscoopsandmore, Your welcome!
Aren't you a UMF Alumni too?
I am picking up my new baby goat tomorrow, in Litchfield.

 

[NewEnglandChick]

Quote:
Whoa - who's a UMF Alumni?
I went to UMF, class of 2005.