Maine

[lazy gardener]

Thanks. Will keep a watchful eye. I know very little about them. Local hunters assure me that they are here, but I've NEVER seen one.

 

[buckabucka]

I've never seen one either, but I believe SCG aka Ratilocks has had them roaming around her coop at night.

What a perfect winter day! So nice to get out in the woods in a lighter jacket. I'm hoping that this week we see our last double-digit below zero morning, but I looked at last year and we had -11 on March 25th. My sister in Alaska is complaining about the green grass!

I want to move two chickens to a different flock. The plan is to keep them separate, but visible through the fence in an area of the coop. They will be living on the ground, for the most part, with a short 6"? roost. They are now in an unheated insulated coop, but will be moving to an un-insulated area. Do you think I should wait for the weather to warm slightly before moving them?
And does anyone know how much time I should allow for these hens to get acclimated and be fertile from the new rooster (as opposed to the old one)? I appreciate any advice.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

They will come inside. They will kill your chickens. Be careful.

Be afraid.

 

[Cknldy]

Experienced hatcher/brooder here but I've got a problem with some hatchery sent chicks. Got them Fri morning, the survivors were peeping like crazy and perked up/ did well once in brooder. We brought 2 from the 'dead' box back 2 life but those ones ones are worry free. The healthy (or not!) ones are dropping dead! Ones with no problems, running around eating and drinking just suddenly go sleepy like. They stay still for hours just drowsy like and get knocked over. I've dipped beaks although they were previously drinking. No Sav-a-chick and my driveway is "on winter vacation" so I started gatorade for all of them. Medicated chick feed, no pasty bums, temp pristine for running around or resting. Plenty of water and feed availability. 2 rir went about 12 hrs apart and now this previously rambunctious Am! Suggestions?

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[buckabucka]

Cknldy, I'd worry about the salt content of Gatorade. (I've never had Gatorade, so that worry may be unfounded). Plain old sugar water may help.

Unfortunately, I had the same experience with hatchery shipped chicks, -some just have "failure to thrive", and I don't know if it is stress from shipping, poor stock, or both. We didn't lose large numbers, but maybe 5 out of 25, and the loss was staggered over a week. I doubt it is anything you are doing, and I'm not sure how you'd prevent it. I hope you don't lose anymore!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I just add a tablespoon of plain sugar to a quart waterer. Half it daily when they start to perk up for a few days then discontinue. It does increase pasty butt, but works well to increase their easy calories.

 

[mlowen]

Thanks.  Will keep a watchful eye.  I know very little about them.  Local hunters assure me that they are here, but I've NEVER seen one.

I grew up in Mississippi. I came home one night to 4 baby possums in my kitchen, eating my cat's food. They must have come in from the apartment's attic. Where was the dad gummed cat? No idea. I took them to a vet I knew who raised them and released them in the piney woods.

 

[Cknldy]

At least it wasn't armadillos! Thanks bucka- F.T.T. may just be it. Dh says they got the flu from being shipped in freezing weather then getting warm...I asked him why the two almost frozen ones didn't get 'the flu' then?;-)

 

[lazy gardener]

I'd rather have armadillo trotting across the street than possums. Either way, it's strange to see them so far north! IMO! What's this world coming to??? Now, I'd gladly trade some of our snow for a few possums and armadillos. But it's just not fair for us to have 4 feet of snow and temps up to 20 below, AND possums trotting around the neighborhood.

 

[nancyestrout]

Hi I'm from Cape Elizabeth and thinking of starting to raise chickens. How are you doing with all this snow? Where should I go for a coup and what kinds of chickens are hardy for our area?