Maine

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Currently I have two Bourbon Red poults (~3.5 months old) and ten chickens (EE and BLRW) (~3 months old) in the basement brooder. They are more than ready to go outside but Mother Nature keeps sending snow.

Upstairs I have 11 Buff Orpington chicks around three weeks old in one brooder and 15 silkies and 3 white leghorn chicks who are a week old in the other brooder. Then there are the EE eggs and Midget White turkey eggs currently in the incubator that are due to hatch within the next two weeks. If that isn't enough I have an order in for some Bourbon Red poults from my local feed store. No idea when they will come in since they are on back order. And I just got an email from Holderreads saying my duckling order (Saxonies, Australian Spotted and Indian Runners) is scheduled for the week of April 18th.

I really hope that all the snow in my yard will be gone before the indoor birds are old enough to start laying eggs.

And that the snow in the goat pen will melt so my 12 year old Nubian will stop getting out. The snow in the pen is still almost to the top rail and she has figured out how to climb over but of course not how to go back. The other day I came home to find her tied to the fence. No idea who rounded her up for me. No note or phone message. And they somehow found the lead rope I have been looking for since January. So until the snow melts she has to be tied up while I am at work.

 

[buckabucka]

I ordered just a few chicks for pick-up at Long Horn Horse & Pet Supply in Buxton (northwest of Portland). http://www.longhorn.me/ It will be just over an hour drive, but they had a good variety on their chick order form and you can get as few or many as you like.

Limited pick-up dates (May 6, May 20, June 10, etc.) I'm getting mine April 22, but orders close a month before pick-up. I've never done business with them, but they were very nice on the phone, and even tried to get a special order that I requested.

 

[spook]

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S. Berwick is where my other half is from! Know where it is, nice area too.

 

[Speed]

amazing how many Mainers are into raising chickens. Even more amazing how many of them are on BYC.

 

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Longhorn is great. I'm about 15 minutes away from them. I've been a loyal customer for years. It is a small somewhat run down place but the custkmer service is really good. They sell Poulin grains and get at least two truckloads of grain a week. That is probably why it always has a look of organized chaos. The best thing is that they deliver. There have even been times when they were out of one bag of grain I needed and the owner dropped made the trip out to my house to deliver it as soon as it came in.

They get most of their chicks from Cackle Hatchery but also have some private sources for other birds. I've done a couple special orders both this year and last and Longhorn has always managed to get what I wanted.

 

[buckabucka]

Thanks for the feedback, Widget. I can't wait to pick up my chicks April 22! I only got a few, as I am trying my first hatch next month, too.

 

[spook]

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Eh, we are simple folk, some (like me) are simpler then others enjoy good eggs, healthy birds to raise & eat. So welcome to the page and if your close to a Chickenstock come introduce yourself! We all enjoy good chicken stories and love to share our opinions. Huh Widget, you coming to the 3 that Bob and I have set up? Hope so.

 

[Jake1297]

Hi everyone I'm from Maine also. Rumford to be exact. I have 5 Guineas, 3 RR, 3 BR, and a Cochin Rooster who came as a chick with the guineas. They are all around 9 moths old. I usually get everything at TSC, however yesterday I read on here about Long Horn taking orders. So I ordered 10 silkies to go with my flock.

 

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Eh, we are simple folk, some (like me) are simpler then others enjoy good eggs, healthy birds to raise & eat. So welcome to the page and if your close to a Chickenstock come introduce yourself! We all enjoy good chicken stories and love to share our opinions. Huh Widget, you coming to the 3 that Bob and I have set up? Hope so.

Thinking about it. They are so much fun.

But it depends on gas prices and whether or not I manage to find a part-time job for the summer. My de-icing job at the airport is due to end soon (if Mother Nature ever decides to let Spring come out and play) so I need another source of income besides my full-time job. Sad how it takes more than one paycheck to pay all the bills and our representatives in all levels of government still insist on raising taxes.

 

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I think I had better ask Longhorn for a commission fee for all the business I am sending their way.

I have 15 week old silkies I picked up from them last week. I requested a mix of colors other than just the black or white ones on the order form. I ended up with some white, black and blue. I would like to have other colors too but I am pleased that all of these are healthy. They are also starting to become very demanding. Always seem to want attention.

I know many people don't like the quality of hatchery birds but since I am not into showing and just have silkies for pets I am not overly concerned if they aren't blue ribbon perfect.