Maine

[blueseal]

Wow, they started crowing young, blueseal! I have chicks that are 8 weeks old today, but no crowing yet. In fact, while I know the sex of some, there are several olive-egger-type mutts that I'm really not sure yet. I'm hoping to separate them out in the next month sometime.

i think they are taking crowing lessons from there father roos next too them in the big coop and run. everytime one of the older roos will crow the little ones will answer back lol really funny lol. i was feeding the main flock in the coop the first day i heard a crowing screech im like what the heck is that and i started laughing. they sound so funny when they start to crow. but not so funny when they get older lol.

 

[MKandtheforce]

You could try going to Chickenstock in NH in July. I know one guy is breeding ythem up the coast but he JUST started. I also recommend talking to the folks in the Heritage Large Fowl forum. They are very helpful. If you are up front and say you are new but trying hard to find good breeding stock Delawares they are usually able to hook you up with some people who aren't online.

When's Chickenstock? I'll definitely look into that... That seems right up my alley, and I'd love a mini road trip. And thanks for the tip about the HLF forum!

You could always get eggs shipped later, there's plenty of people on here (but not in Maine) that raise Delawares.

And I felt the same way about wanting a space/place of my own. But the time spent working towards that goal (college, then working and renting to save up) was well worth it. Just remember that if your goal doesn't materialize quickly. The place I rented in Lewiston before I bought my house wouldn't even allow me to put a tomato plant in a bucket on the back porch! That made me actually spend less money and save up more to get the heck out of there.

My only problem with shipping is that is seems so complicated/expensive! I will if I can't find anyone else somewhat nearby, but I'm sure I can find some good little Delawares somewhere. I saw them pop up on Craigslist once in the bluest of moons, hah.

True. I'm so impatient. I'm think what I'm going to do is see if there's anyone nearby with some extra land who wouldn't mind me renting it for the purpose of keeping a goat there. We live in a really rural town, and I'm sure there's someone out there who wants a little extra income or free goat milk. That might quench my thirst, so to speak, for a little while. I can't imagine living somewhere where you couldn't even have a little plant!! Then again, it is Lewiston...

 

[Paulajon]

My copper marans are hatching, 9 made it to lockdown three have already hatched and more have piped. I am excited !
I think I am becoming an chicken hatching addict, lol.
Ok, so after they have all hatched I was thinking that I would like to try some paint silkie eggs, black, lavender silkie eggs,maybe sizzle they seem really interesting. If anyone here in maine has any eggs they would like to sell please let me know .
Thanks, Paula

 

[buckabucka]

MKandtheforce, Chickenstock is July 7th https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...chickenstock-nh-july-7-2012-come-one-come-all

Back in January, I was definitely going. Now, 20 chicks later, I'm not so sure. It would be a 4+ hour drive for me. If I can get some sculptures made, I may do it, but I am crazy-busy at the moment.

Shipped eggs are a crap shoot. I've had 76% hatch, but also 12% hatch. Shipping is usually $15. If you decide to get eggs shipped, I would advise reading the sellers feedback. Some people are excellent packers.

Blueseal, I used to have the rooster call and response thing going here (and will again in a couple of months). It always amazes me how different each of their crows sound. I'm lucky to have understanding neighbors!

 

[hoppy]

I will have some of both if you are interested. I've got my last (yes I know I said that before) batch now incubating so any I collect from now on, are for sale.

My copper marans are hatching, 9 made it to lockdown three have already hatched and more have piped. I am excited !
I think I am becoming an chicken hatching addict, lol.
Ok, so after they have all hatched I was thinking that I would like to try some paint silkie eggs, black, lavender silkie eggs,maybe sizzle they seem really interesting. If anyone here in maine has any eggs they would like to sell please let me know .
Thanks, Paula

 

[ashandvine]

My only problem with shipping is that is seems so complicated/expensive! I will if I can't find anyone else somewhat nearby, but I'm sure I can find some good little Delawares somewhere. I saw them pop up on Craigslist once in the bluest of moons, hah.

True. I'm so impatient. I'm think what I'm going to do is see if there's anyone nearby with some extra land who wouldn't mind me renting it for the purpose of keeping a goat there. We live in a really rural town, and I'm sure there's someone out there who wants a little extra income or free goat milk. That might quench my thirst, so to speak, for a little while. I can't imagine living somewhere where you couldn't even have a little plant!! Then again, it is Lewiston...

Well, you got some very good advice from a big name man, Bob, on the HLF thread, even if it was spelled wrong: patience. If you are serious about the Delawares then you want to set yourself up well so that you aren't spending good money on good chickens and then not have a good set up. You can't get better directions on the breeds than that thread, although they are real 'old timers' and very serious about the purity of their breeds given how rare they are.
You know I would be very happy to have a little goat nanny here. We have nine acres and are about 10-15 mn from TSC in Lewiston. Something to think about. I do have children who'd want to visit it OFTEN but we have a great set up. I am not going to buy a goat but I did think about sheep for next year. I love chevre. If you want a place to put in some work and get some space then please come work here. I have more than I can use right now for land and only a few limitations on it. PM me.

 

[ashandvine]

My copper marans are hatching, 9 made it to lockdown three have already hatched and more have piped. I am excited !
I think I am becoming an chicken hatching addict, lol.
Ok, so after they have all hatched I was thinking that I would like to try some paint silkie eggs, black, lavender silkie eggs,maybe sizzle they seem really interesting. If anyone here in maine has any eggs they would like to sell please let me know .
Thanks, Paula

Where do your BCM lay on the egg scale? I am trying to get at least a five or six but that's more of a challenge than I thought. One breeder has offered me some from RI. She says they are maybe a 5 inconsistently but BCM are supposed to START at least at a 5. I think like you I might have to get into hatching but I hate the smell of the littles when they are almost feathered out and still in the house trying chicken kung fu on each other and eating like teenagers!

 

[hoppy]

just hatch a little later in the season and then they won't have to be in the house as long.

Where do your BCM lay on the egg scale? I am trying to get at least a five or six but that's more of a challenge than I thought. One breeder has offered me some from RI. She says they are maybe a 5 inconsistently but BCM are supposed to START at least at a 5. I think like you I might have to get into hatching but I hate the smell of the littles when they are almost feathered out and still in the house trying chicken kung fu on each other and eating like teenagers!

 

[Paulajon]

Where do your BCM lay on the egg scale? I am trying to get at least a five or six but that's more of a challenge than I thought. One breeder has offered me some from RI. She says they are maybe a 5 inconsistently but BCM are supposed to START at least at a 5. I think like you I might have to get into hatching but I hate the smell of the littles when they are almost feathered out and still in the house trying chicken kung fu on each other and eating like teenagers!

Hi , I got my eggs from Pollyc here in maine, she is on byc, I am a beginner so she would be better at the scale color than I. I thought that my darkest one that I had was a 5 but not sure on that. Check with PollyC. maybe she would hatch some for ya.

 

[Mainechick168]

Agh I need to stop dreaming so hard, hah. I still live with my family for the time being (I'm 21), but my next major goal in life is to be able to afford LAND!! I really wish I could have a few acres and some room for a bunch of chickens, a couple pigs, a couple goats, a nice little cow, and a garden big enough that I wouldn't have to buy much produce. I mean, I garden here and I've been give the all-clear to build a chicken coop, but I so wish I could really jump in. Blah. Every time I see a goat, I die a little, haha. I've just been trying to content myself by reading memoirs about farm living.

Are there any other places in Maine I could buy Delawares? It looks like I'll be buying a rooster and three pullets from someone on here, but I'd like maybe a handful more. With the size of my [as of yet unbuilt] coop, I can have 10-12. Plus, if I start breeding, it'll give me more blood to work with.

MK- I hear you on this!! I'm 27 and my husband and I have a home on 2.5 acres, which I would love to fill up with lots of farm animals- chickens for now though! Next adventure will be nigerian dwarf goats. I love goats!! But...have you heard of the farm apprenticeship program that MOFGA does??? this might be something that would work out really well for you. If I didn't already have a spot of my own, I would totally do it. Here is the link : http://www.mofga.org/Programs/FarmApprenticeships/tabid/502/Default.aspx