Maine

[MistyMae]

Hello! We are in the process of getting started with chicks. We have our new coop and are planning our run right now. Chicks in a week and a half! I was wondering if brooders need to have a light? I was looking at getting a heating plate. Do I still need a light with it?

 

[frg34]

I have some pushing 3 weeks old.... little big to stick "under" her but she may take them in. $2/ea... I'm a little upland though in South China, about 20 minutes from Augusta up Rt 3.

Wow. You had 130 a week ago. If you happen to come a little nearer the midcoast (I'm near Boothbay) in the next several weeks, I'd love to add 3 to my small flock.

 

[buckabucka]

Hello! We are in the process of getting started with chicks. We have our new coop and are planning our run right now. Chicks in a week and a half! I was wondering if brooders need to have a light? I was looking at getting a heating plate. Do I still need a light with it?

Not if the room has natural light.

 

[BrieCheese23]

Anyone in Southern Maine looking for Mille F'luer D'uccles? I have four or five obvious little roos and four who still look like hens at four weeks old. Two hens will be staying here (one for myself and one for my mother's D'uccle roo). The rest are destined for the dinner table and since I doubt there's too much meat on a D'uccle I figured I'd see if anyone wanted them before I made the effort. I'm located about fifteenish minutes outside of Sanford. PM if you'd like any, they're beautiful, little birds, very chatty. I also have two four week old Wyandotte roosters, one silver laced (the only silver laced out of twelve eggs to hatch is of course a boy...his name is currently Stew), one columbian if anyone needs a Wyandotte roo. It makes me a little sad to eat them since only three Wyandottes managed to hatch out of 36 eggs.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm looking for red and black currants. From my reading, they are pretty easy to propagate. It may even be possible to remove a cane from an existing plant with a bit of root attached. They can most likely be air layered, or rooted by wounding and partially burying a stem. Would happily trade hatching eggs, a couple of chicks, or a hen for some viable currant plant(s). PM if you can help me out.

 

[lazy gardener]

Hello! We are in the process of getting started with chicks. We have our new coop and are planning our run right now. Chicks in a week and a half! I was wondering if brooders need to have a light? I was looking at getting a heating plate. Do I still need a light with it?

Misty, if you already haven't bought a heating plate, you might want to check out Blooie's Mama Heating Pad thread. Chicks can easily be brooded with a heating pad. I'll never use a heat lamp, after using a heating pad. Pads are much less costly, multi purpose, and IMO provide a more natural brooding than a heat plate. The chicks snuggle under it just like they would a broody hen. I bought the SunbeamXPress pad, XL. It has 6 heat settings, and most importantly, an over ride switch to turn off the 2 hour feature. Many of the newer pads are designed to only stay on for 2 hours. It's machine washable. I also used it this year as a seedling mat. Got Asparagus seeds sprouted in 9 days. Catalog info says it takes 2 - 6 weeks to sprout them!!!! Also, you can brood your chicks right in your coop!!!!!!!!!!

 

[feathers of fur]

I sure I'm not using this correctly but I got some red sexlinks chicks all pullets I'm looking for a cockerel to round out my flock would like a chick 10-30 days old near fairfield maine

 

[lazy gardener]

I can help you out. I've got 17 chicks that hatched out on 4/16(ish). If you're not fussy about what you get, I can give you a little boy. It'll take me a couple more weeks to be sure that I don't give you a girl! Let's PM if you want to follow up with me.

I am also thinning the herd. Will have some hens to sell. Some black sex link (small combs, most of which lay a green egg, but that not guaranteed.)

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I'm looking for some mallard ducks for a friend. Any ideas?

 

[MistyMae]

Thank you for the information! I have ordered a heating plate, but I will def check out the one you suggested too. I have some other friends who are also just getting started with chickens. I am sure I will have many more questions.