Maine

[jerseychix]

We had originally aimed for 3 chickens. We averaged 4 to 5 depending on what the hawks and owls were up to. But 3 is a great number to start with.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks anyway banana! I have been worried about it not eating and drinking, it just pecks at the food and water, not swallowing...but last night when I was scratching in its food it ran over and got right in and pecked wherever my finger was. It got all excited and was cheeping and trilling happily and started swallowing pieces. I dipped it's beak in the water and it started drinking like it was dying of thirst! I have never had to show a chick how to eat and drink before, but it has nobody. It was starting to act funny, but this morning it is acting like a normal active curious hungry chick. I still would like to find another one though, if anybody comes across this

About guineas, My mom had them, but she got them half grown and they would not stay home. They ran all over her neighborhood and turned up almost a mile away in one case. A couple got picked off and eventually she stopped seeing them or hearing about them from people in town. It was really sad. On the upside though, everyone in the neighborhood loved them! Nobody complained, people were feeding them and taking pictures of them. They really helped with the ticks. She learned that the trick with guineas is to raise them from chicks in the same place you want them to be when they grow up and then they will always come home. And they like to roost up high. Like in the trees and rafters. Some people build them their own coop way up on a pole or stand, or on top of their coop, or in the little hayloft door people have in barns and garages, and that works well. I saw them along the interstate betwern howland and lincoln alot one year. Not anywhere near anything! They are great but very different from chickens, you have to make things work for them. I love them.

Not that I have any real experience with a single chick, but I've read that they benefit from having a mirror and a little stuffed animal to cuddle up with. Perhaps you should take it to bed to snuggle with at night!!! (just kidding)

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm so excited. I candled eggs mid way through day 6, 5/6 have prominent veining, # 6 looks prominent with a dark yolk! Virgin hatcher!

 

[Widget]

I'm so excited. I candled eggs mid way through day 6, 5/6 have prominent veining, # 6 looks prominent with a dark yolk! Virgin hatcher!

Now the hardest part comes. Waiting.

 

[sjlong3]

I'm in Waterboro... My coop is 8X8 on a slant with open soffits (for ventilation) . No insulation; 20 Birds... never have an issue.
Got down to -14 at my house so far this year.

EDIT: guess I'm replying to a post in this thread 630 pages ago... LOL did not realize that..

 

[jerseychix]

I'm in Waterboro... My coop is 8X8 on a slant with open soffits (for ventilation) . No insulation; 20 Birds... never have an issue.
Got down to -14 at my house so far this year.

EDIT: guess I'm replying to a post in this thread 630 pages ago... LOL did not realize that..

But good info non the less!

 

[annabananaandfamily]

Widget! Congrats on the job! I am really glad you found something fulltime and with benefits too!
And Did you seriously just offer up riding?! I almost fell out of my chair,lol. If you are ever up for some entertaiment and thr company of somene who hasnt been on a horse for 15+years, you know where to find me i am even willing to pitch in on clean up etc i exchange

 

[Widget]

Widget! Congrats on the job! I am really glad you found something fulltime and with benefits too!
And Did you seriously just offer up riding?! I almost fell out of my chair,lol. If you are ever up for some entertaiment and thr company of somene who hasnt been on a horse for 15+years, you know where to find me

i am even willing to pitch in on clean up etc i exchange

I did. The two Iceys need to get out on the trails this year. The mustang still isn't ready. I have to convince her that a saddle is not going to eat her. Best of all the Iceys are pony sized so easy on and easy off. Plus both are well behaved for the most part. Their spook is to stop dead and stare. Getting them moving afterwards is the fun part.

 

[Mainechick168]

I did. The two Iceys need to get out on the trails this year. The mustang still isn't ready. I have to convince her that a saddle is not going to eat her. Best of all the Iceys are pony sized so easy on and easy off. Plus both are well behaved for the most part. Their spook is to stop dead and stare. Getting them moving afterwards is the fun part.

Oh boy, I wish you did not live in limington! I'd looove love love to be able to ride a bit- I have not too much experience riding, but I've loved the times I have.

 

[Dita Von Cluck]

Three in chicken math somehow ends up at 30 or more. So many interesting breeds that you end up liking and wanting. Then add ducks and turkeys to the mix. And every year the feed stores just have to get new chicks in and if you aren't careful some end up in the backseat of the car. Then you end up looking for a Chicken Addicts support group. They are great except I don't know anyone who has actually recovered. If anything the members enable one another and instead of 30 chickens you somehow end up with 60.

I've had chickens for about four years. Had terrible luck with predators (mostly fox but also one bobcat) over the years. I think I have finally solved that problem. At least the fox wasn't able to get in the pen last fall and I haven't seen any signs of predators since.

I've got birds both locally and straight from hatcheries as well as hatched out some eggs. For locals I have gone through both Metcalf's in Cornish and Longhorn over in Buxton. I have also acquired birds from many on this list and through the Chickenstocks. I don't show my birds so I don't worry as much about meeting breed standards as I do overall health and temperament. But I will say those on this board who do concentrate on the standards have beautiful birds and you can't go wrong with getting birds from them.

The ducks are very messy but otherwise everyone gets along fine. I am planning on growing out some turkeys this year too so it will definitely be a mixed flock.

I'm right off Rt. 25 near the rapids. I also have three horses. Two who need some trail miles this upcoming summer if you like to ride.

We live next to a field and often see turkey buzzards flying around. Those worry me! I never think of foxes being around since I hardly see them but then a week or two ago, I was awoken in the middle of the night by one.

They're officially on my list now!
Oooo! I'll definitely be making a trip to Metcalf's! Or perhaps I should wait until I have a coop set up so I won't get heartbroken if(and most likely when) I get tempted.

I wish they had a website like Longhorn does but I suppose thats just as well.

Wow, I also nearly fell out of my chair at your generous offer! I love to ride so I might have to take you up on that. And, of course, I wouldn't mind pitching in with cleaning, feeding, etc. either.

I just had a job offer from NAPA Auto Parts working in the warehouse. Just have to pass the background check and drug test and I will once again be employed full-time with benefits. Money isn't what I was making at my other job but it is okay. And I can still work at the airport on my days off. And this means I can finally make plans for some new birds this spring.

Congratulations!! Thats wonderful news!

3 sounds nice...I'll warn you though- We thought 6 would be a good number, and within weeks decided it was not enough and had to get 4 more!!

Haha I got a good chuckle out of that! I've been fairly warned--chickens are like potato chips: can't stop at one (or three or six...)