Maine

[suzMEchicks]

3 at the door now. Pecking on the glass. Come on out !!!

 

[Branch Chickens]

Maybe they want to come in?

My mother's chickens are forever trying to figure out a way into the house from her back shed. But ultimately, I suppose they're looking for her stale bread stash.

I'm new to the forums here. We're expecting our first mini flock in late April. 9 females (hopefully!). I've been wondering if anyone in the Augusta/Waterville area can give me pointers on where to buy pine shavings. We hay our field in July and will probably supplement with it at that point, but we'll need shavings until and possibly after then. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[lazy gardener]

Sweet to have access to hay on your own property. What kind of girls are you going to get? chicks or pullets?

Here's my question of the day: When I start my chicks this spring, I'm planning on 7 layers, and hoping to start a dozen meat birds, perhaps Pioneer or Freedom Rangers... may end up with Cornish x Rock. One thread I recently read talked about different protein needs between layer chicks and meat chicks. Any one care to advise me on this? I really don't want to brood meaties and layers separately, but will if necessary due to size difference and feed needs. Here's question #2: I plan to brood them outside. I can make a raised brooder in my cattle panel coop that will be approx. 2.5 x 4, or alternately, I can put them under the loft which will give them a space that is 2' high and 4 x 8... or in the front sun room addition which is 3.5 x 8. I also have a tractor that is 3 x 6 that could be easily set up... starting in the garage and moving outside after a couple of weeks. Lots of possibilities here, not sure which way to go. I'd love to hear how it's worked out for any of you to brood layers and meat birds together, and experience with outdoor brooding. I don't plan to start them until April.

 

[MEMama3]

Look at the picture I got today:

 

[lazy gardener]

AWWWWW!!!!! Any other babies, or is it a single??

 

[MEMama3]

AWWWWW!!!!!  Any other babies, or is it a single??

I think it's going to be a single. There are six eggs still under her, but no pips, cheeps or rocking. I'll wait until Saturday night to pull the eggs.

 

[anyasmifya]

aww, that's super cute! I loooooooove baby birdies.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Maybe they want to come in?

My mother's chickens are forever trying to figure out a way into the house from her back shed. But ultimately, I suppose they're looking for her stale bread stash.

I'm new to the forums here. We're expecting our first mini flock in late April. 9 females (hopefully!). I've been wondering if anyone in the Augusta/Waterville area can give me pointers on where to buy pine shavings. We hay our field in July and will probably supplement with it at that point, but we'll need shavings until and possibly after then. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome, Branch Chickens!

MEMama - great pic!

SuzMEchick - that's just adorable they go to the door!

 

[lazy gardener]

MeMama, if it's a single, she'll have lots of energy to put into rearing it. too bad you couldn't get a couple more for her to foster.

 

[Jazor]

Maybe they want to come in?

My mother's chickens are forever trying to figure out a way into the house from her back shed. But ultimately, I suppose they're looking for her stale bread stash.

I'm new to the forums here. We're expecting our first mini flock in late April. 9 females (hopefully!). I've been wondering if anyone in the Augusta/Waterville area can give me pointers on where to buy pine shavings. We hay our field in July and will probably supplement with it at that point, but we'll need shavings until and possibly after then. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Knight's in Augusta sells them for ~$5 a bale. Maybe $5.50? Been a bit since I stopped in. The prices are pretty average.