Maine

[buckabucka]

Hi All, 
Excited to say I am getting my first pullets from the folks at Empire Acres on June 1st (total Nub here, former megalopolis dweller turned self sufficiency fan). We are expecting 3 EE and 3 Buff Orpingtons. My question for all you Maine folk is; what do you prefer for compostable litter? I read through a few threads and a few people recommended pine needles... what do you guys think about that? I have a ton of pine needles I could use (of course, its Maine!). I plan to mix in hay and DE. No idea if I will choose the Deep litter method or not yet. I am a bit of a neat freak but I like the idea of all natural and self composting. Any pointers relevant to keeping these girls happy in our northern climate would be welcome!

Thanks, and also, thanks for being so helpful. I have been on many a forum where folks were quit elitist and shi**y but not here. It is a breath of fresh air!  


- Mustard T. 

I prefer pine shavings because they are fairly absorbent. I've mixed in some hardwood shavings too, just because DH does some carpentry. I'm not sure it matters a lot, as long as you keep things dry.
What I would really like to try, if I had a source, is coffee bean chaff. I hear it makes the coop smell great!

 

[hoppy]

there are inspectors that visit these swaps just to be sure people are complying with the law.

Saw on Craigslist that there will be a Farm Day on May 26th at the Scarborough TSC. Also saw an ad by the same person asking if anyone would be interested in a swap in the Waterboro area. Only issue I saw was that they claimed you didn't have to worry about the 6 chicks under 8 weeks of age sale rule or the Scrapie tag law for goats. Don't know where they came up with that information. I for one wouldn't take the chance. Both are well intentioned laws.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I tried pine needles in the duck coop... mixed with leaves. They got really slimy and disgusting really fast.

I use pine shavings but they don't compost fast at all.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

I use hay in the duck coop, and this year I am growing lavender to dry & add to the bedding to help with the smell.

I wanted to pop on & help spread the word for my neighbor from the rescue.
She has a beautiful Chocolate Himalayan cat coming in next week who will need a good home. She would do best as an only cat as she wants a lot of cuddles & loving. She is VERY sweet & friendly, still acts like a young kitty. (She is only 6.)
She has been fully vetted & is in good health.
I know she is not a chicken, but I figured it was worth a shot anyhow.

 

[annabananaandfamily]

Sad morning. My one and only Breda Fowl died Was fine last night, dead this morning. They are still inside in the brooder, so no chance of predator etc, just one of those thiings that happens I guess.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

Oh Anna, I am so sorry.

 

[annabananaandfamily]

Oh Anna, I am so sorry.

Thanks We are pretty bummed, but thankfully there are plenty of fluffy new chicks to keep the kids distracted.

On another note, what do you do when it comes to swaps, if you have less than 6 chicks to sell and they are under 8wks old??
And what are some good tips on sexing chicks? I hatched some of the cutest little mutts and would love to keep just a couple of them. I read somewhere that some breeds can be sexed by a dot on their heads? Turns out some of mine (they are cochin/barred rock babies) have a very clear yellow dot of feathers on the top of their heads and the reast of their bodies are black. Just wishful thinking? I was reading some of you can sex them accurately at 4 weeks, HOW DO YOU DO THAT?!?! I would LOVE to be able to do that for the 4 week old chicks I have downstair now! Some EE's and 2 cochins. And one more question, all 5 of these chicks downstairs hatched within a couple of days of each other and all seem to be growing at about the same rate. With the exception of one tiny little cochin. The little guy/gal, Peanut for now, isnt nearly as feathered as the others and is SOOO tiny! Should I worry? Will he catch up? Did I really get that luck and of the 6 cochin eggs I bought and only 2 that hatched I have actually ended up with a male and female?

Whew, maybe I should lay off the caffeine before I come post here!

 

[hoppy]

wyandottes can be sexed at 1-3 by looking at the wing feathering. some breeds are fast feathering in females (orps and my americaunas) some it's the males that feather faster. when you cross them, it can change. generally at 5 weeks in wyandottes, the combs are pinking up and waddles too. do a search for sexing barred rocks- you should find pictures of the spot although i have black chicks that hatch black with the spot and the spot goes away and they turn all black. in barred the roosters are lighter colored then the hens (pullets/cockerals)
at the swaps if you have less then 6 chicks at 8 weeks old, what to do, keep them home until they are 8 weeksor go buy enough at a farm to make 6 chicks or just sell them from home where you can sell any number of chicks.

Thanks We are pretty bummed, but thankfully there are plenty of fluffy new chicks to keep the kids distracted.

On another note, what do you do when it comes to swaps, if you have less than 6 chicks to sell and they are under 8wks old??
And what are some good tips on sexing chicks? I hatched some of the cutest little mutts and would love to keep just a couple of them. I read somewhere that some breeds can be sexed by a dot on their heads? Turns out some of mine (they are cochin/barred rock babies) have a very clear yellow dot of feathers on the top of their heads and the reast of their bodies are black. Just wishful thinking? I was reading some of you can sex them accurately at 4 weeks, HOW DO YOU DO THAT?!?! I would LOVE to be able to do that for the 4 week old chicks I have downstair now! Some EE's and 2 cochins. And one more question, all 5 of these chicks downstairs hatched within a couple of days of each other and all seem to be growing at about the same rate. With the exception of one tiny little cochin. The little guy/gal, Peanut for now, isnt nearly as feathered as the others and is SOOO tiny! Should I worry? Will he catch up? Did I really get that luck and of the 6 cochin eggs I bought and only 2 that hatched I have actually ended up with a male and female?

Whew, maybe I should lay off the caffeine before I come post here!

 

[TayFray!]

So I have some more chickens, and I am getting some roosters to go with them today! Cant wait!

 

[maine chicks]

Does anyone in Maine or Mass know if these states have an agreement that allows poultry to be moved from one to the other?