Maine

[spook]

That is so true widget. We had a minor, could have been major, unexpected $$$ vet bill. Our 16 year old Siamese/Himalayan cat decided to try out the taste of a Cassette Tape. Grr. So he had it coming out from everywhere, he went through x-rays and other treatments and the poor guy came home upset, he had been violated and not very thrilled with the care he received. Of course let him be mad at them, not me as I told them to check him out! So money has been an issue here and its just tough. Property taxes, gas, heat, food, grain and you all know just what I mean.
As for our putty tat, he was one lucky boy. Don't know how many more of these pica type events this boys intestines will take.

I have a pal who is learning about the birds (for a welcome vacation sometime) and she caught a bird wheezing, all upset came in with chicken in tow, needing to go to the "Vets"... CRD so I mixed up Duramycin and a taste of a aspirin as a preventative, she and others have sounded rattly, not enough to say "go to vets $$$$$$$$" Holy Hannah! But after I explained it all, she was sorta funny. Its one thing we have dealt with for years, and a newbie is a good chuckle, behind closed doors. Its NEVER my intent to make fun of anyone willing to learn. (I'm usually the idiot that cannot find the dustpan after I tripped on it!)

 

[jenni22776rn]

I was all set for leavingmy 8 week old chicks out for their first night tonight...and it is freaking SNOWING!!

Will it ever warm up enough to let these little guys out for good? I told the DH it would be this week..and I was all set for tonight..but mother nature has other plans!! Anyone else having this issue? I am hoping next week will be the week... The "little" guys are getting bigger then thier pen..they can look over the top now!!

 

[Widget]

Quote:
I have some 12 week olds plus two 4 month old turkeys waiting to go out. There is still about five inches of ice around the gate leading to the coop so I can't get in unless I climb over the fence. I really want to get in and clean the coop thoroughly but until everything thaws I am stuck with spot cleaning. Then there is the snow that is still two feet deep everywhere else in the yard. Maybe by August it will finally be gone.

 

[spook]

Quote:
I have some 12 week olds plus two 4 month old turkeys waiting to go out. There is still about five inches of ice around the gate leading to the coop so I can't get in unless I climb over the fence. I really want to get in and clean the coop thoroughly but until everything thaws I am stuck with spot cleaning. Then there is the snow that is still two feet deep everywhere else in the yard. Maybe by August it will finally be gone.

Now, as I understand...and only me, but you need to wean your birds off until they can reside in temps equal to the outdoors. I you plan on putting a 100 watt bulb lower so if they get cold, they can be ready to cold temps. 70 degrees is still a bit balmy compared to a 40 degree day.

 

[jenni22776rn]

Quote:
I have some 12 week olds plus two 4 month old turkeys waiting to go out. There is still about five inches of ice around the gate leading to the coop so I can't get in unless I climb over the fence. I really want to get in and clean the coop thoroughly but until everything thaws I am stuck with spot cleaning. Then there is the snow that is still two feet deep everywhere else in the yard. Maybe by August it will finally be gone.

Now, as I understand...and only me, but you need to wean your birds off until they can reside in temps equal to the outdoors. I you plan on putting a 100 watt bulb lower so if they get cold, they can be ready to cold temps. 70 degrees is still a bit balmy compared to a 40 degree day.

My chicks have been without heat since 4 weeks...they are in my back room with a pellet stove next to them...they were not under the heat anymore and avoided the heating lamp at all times. last night the temp dropped to 20 degrees..I am not going to have any heating source outside when they do go out..I am just being a little overprotective I know...I put them outside early in the morning..this morning was 25 degrees when I put them out..I see them running around and loving it..so I think it is just me feeling guilty about the cold temps....Next week will be the week...I think!!

 

[Widget]

The only ones I have with a heat lamp above them are the week olds. The older ones are either at room temperature which upstairs runs about 60 or 45-50 for the youngsters down stairs. So the downstairs ones are ready to go out they just need a place to go.

 

[Double-0 Chicken]

Hello All. Haven't posted in a while but ladies have faired very well over the winter. They actually like the little bit of snow we have left...well not for their feet to touch it but to eat it They half fly to a "grass island" and then cluck until I come and pick them up and take them back to their house, crazy chooks!

I currently have four barred rocks (peach and tan eggs) and four ameracaunas (blue and green eggs). Now that word has spread around our small town that I have chickens my paying customer base is expanding. If it keeps going this way I am going to have to buy eggs to eat with the profits from the ones I sell because there won't be enough left for us!

I am looking to add four Welsummer's to my flock for this year. I do not want to hatch them but i will take newly hatched or pullets. Looking for suspected dark egg layers...of course it is impossible to know until they lay those eggs but if you are breeding for egg color...then I am interested.

Thanks!

 

[jenni22776rn]

Does anyone have any information on where I can get baby chicks in maine? I went to tractor supply 3 times and they have been sold out..I would like to kind of get them from a farm..I am looking for BO or cochins pullets...I really don't want to order them because I don't want 25..just looking for 6. I live in the central maine region...any ideas?

 

[Double-0 Chicken]

Quote:
I got mine from a lady in Dresden Mills last year. Just past the old mill on the right. Can't for the life of me remember her name. If I find it I will send you a message. She had a bunch of different kinds.

 

[TimG]

Quote:
You should be able to place an order for just 6 through a local feed store. Try Blue Seal. They won't come from a local farm.

For locals, check out a chicken swap -- there should be some discussion of them in the chicken swap section here at BYC -- or try craigslist.