MARYLAND THREAD!

[SunnySkies]

Hmm, Walkersville is a reasonable drive. I'm sure I'll need feed again next week. I bought 6 bags today at TSC, just Flock Raiser crumbles, but the meaties are beginning to really eat, lol, as they enter their final month. I'd like to give them pellets...I noticed they eat a bit less of pellets, but the SS here didn't have any broiler pellets, and neither did TSC.

About the dustiness...I have noticed that happens sometimes with any brand. I got some Dumor once that was so, so awful, so I avoided the brand enitrely for the longest time. But then I got some Purina chick starter that was so finely ground it was practically dust, which made me mad because they wouldn't eat the dust. I personally think bags like that might be the result of being at the end of a batch because the next bags of Dumor I got were excellent (they were out of Flock Raiser and that was all they had, and I needed feed). I bought a bag of Nutrena while I was traveling some months ago and hauled it home. Chickens liked it a lot.

I am annoyed I cannot find any feed with an animal based protein other than Countryside, which is too rich for my feed bill and the chickens didn't eat it.

 

[madamwlf]

Hmm, Walkersville is a reasonable drive. I'm sure I'll need feed again next week. I bought 6 bags today at TSC, just Flock Raiser crumbles, but the meaties are beginning to really eat, lol, as they enter their final month. I'd like to give them pellets...I noticed they eat a bit less of pellets, but the SS here didn't have any broiler pellets, and neither did TSC.

About the dustiness...I have noticed that happens sometimes with any brand. I got some Dumor once that was so, so awful, so I avoided the brand enitrely for the longest time. But then I got some Purina chick starter that was so finely ground it was practically dust, which made me mad because they wouldn't eat the dust. I personally think bags like that might be the result of being at the end of a batch because the next bags of Dumor I got were excellent (they were out of Flock Raiser and that was all they had, and I needed feed). I bought a bag of Nutrena while I was traveling some months ago and hauled it home. Chickens liked it a lot.

I am annoyed I cannot find any feed with an animal based protein other than Countryside, which is too rich for my feed bill and the chickens didn't eat it.

let me know how it is if you go. I found Blue Seal is even cheaper then Nutrena. There is a feed store in Sykesville that sells it.

 

[SunnySkies]

Sykesville is also a reasonable drive.

If I had the storage space, I'd just buy feed off that guy on the Baltimore CL. But it would be a long drive for a couple of bags, kwim. I'd want to buy it by the pallet, but I have nowhere to store a pallet of feed. Feed room isn't big enough.

 

[chicrevolution]

Baltimore County MD chicken lovers! On August 27 at 2 pm Balto County Council are having a work session to reduce zoning restrictions in Balto County. Please bring as many people as you can to 400 Washington Ave 2nd Floor Towson MD Call Steve 443-912-4866 for questions

 

[itsbob]

Quote:
Howdy NEIGHBOR!! SOUTHERN St Mary's here.. Dameron to be exact!

 

[itsbob]

ND a little more information..

I own a mixed flock of birds. Currently have 12 birds that are laying, 2 Araucana, 2 Leghorns, 2 Red-X, 2 Silkies, 1 buff orpington, 1 Barred Rock (I think) 2 hat I don't know what they are.. and 2 Pekin Ducks

I have a mixed bag of 9 chicks (to include bantams) that I hatched growing in a brooder/growing box, as well as 2 khaki Campbell ducks.

And I have a shipment of Araucana chicks on the way from efowl. 16 total, but sharing with a friend, so I'll end up with 7 additional chicks and one rooster in the brooding box.

Trying to go to a single breed over the next few years, as the chickens go I'll replace with Araucanas..

I'm actually here trying to do research as a friend wants to build a coop on their property, but somebody has told them in Calvert County they are required to have 3 acres to have chickens.. yet when we buy a house in MD we sign a form that explains EVERYone in MD has the right to farm.

 

[itsbob]

With all that being said, I also am looking for a better place to buy feed. The best price I can get down here is about $15 for a 50 pound bag of Layer Feed.

I'd love to find a feed-mill where I can buy in larger bulk, like a 55 gallon drum of feed at a time. I don't see why we can't get the price down to $20 or less for a hundred pounds. My birds free roam and forage all day, and I THOUGHT that would help, but it doesn't seem to. I bring them back to the coop at about 7:30 at night and they attack their feeders with a lot of gusto. Every morning their feeders are empty.

 

[SunnySkies]

Yes, in Calvert you are supposed to have a minimum of 3 acres. And the right to farm thing doesn't necessarily mean everyone can farm if it is regulated in your area, like if your HOA says no chickens, our your county says no chickens unless your property fits such criteria, well, you can try, but of someone complains, then you are out of luck. I do have friends in Calvert with less than three acres with chickens, but they went and got special exemptions to allow it.

As far as feed in that area, you could look up Countryside Organics. On the resellers list, there is one in Lusby and one in Upper Marlboro. You could see if any of the Amish farms across the bridge have any feed available. But $15/50 lbs is actually pretty standard. I pay that up in my area near Frederick, and when I buy feed in Upper Marlboro (I work there Saturdays) it costs me about that much too. Even the local feed mill in Frederick was that same price. The guys selling feed on CL (Baltimore) are about that too.

 

[itsbob]

Quote:
Yep, I did a little research this morning, and found out it's not TOO difficult to get a waiver for the 3 acres, BUT it costs $300 to file for one, and to get a hearing with no guarantee that it will get approved. Another way the politicians in MD found to get more of our money.

 

[madamwlf]

Yes, in Calvert you are supposed to have a minimum of 3 acres. And the right to farm thing doesn't necessarily mean everyone can farm if it is regulated in your area, like if your HOA says no chickens, our your county says no chickens unless your property fits such criteria, well, you can try, but of someone complains, then you are out of luck. I do have friends in Calvert with less than three acres with chickens, but they went and got special exemptions to allow it.

As far as feed in that area, you could look up Countryside Organics. On the resellers list, there is one in Lusby and one in Upper Marlboro. You could see if any of the Amish farms across the bridge have any feed available. But $15/50 lbs is actually pretty standard. I pay that up in my area near Frederick, and when I buy feed in Upper Marlboro (I work there Saturdays) it costs me about that much too. Even the local feed mill in Frederick was that same price. The guys selling feed on CL (Baltimore) are about that too.

Did you ever try the feed store's up near Frederick? Once I'm low on feed I'm going to start looking for a new one. Either Blue Seal or maybe Nutrena.