New Hampshire!!

[luvmyEs]

Hello! I'm in a small town outside of Keene. We don't have chickens yet. Next springs project Im afraid. Hate waiting but I'm sure they will be worth it. Anyways hope to learn more about chickens and keeping them happy and healthy in NH. I'm either going to have to order chicks from two separate feed stores to get the ones I want or I will have to order online direct from a hatchery. If anyone local is looking for chicks in 2013 and wants to split an order keep me in mind.

Nicole

I'm also outside of Keene! Hinsdale to be exact.

 

[nbelval]

Thanks luvmyES! Glad to have found this group. how many chickens do you have? (I'm in Swanzey)

 

[OtterD]

Yes, we should as we're so close. Just had the state out today to test the birds. One of the kids had let them out of the coop this morning and I could only catch 1/2. They're coming back in a couple of weeks to test the others first thing in the morning before they go out for the day. Worked on my raised coop and added stairs yesterday for easy access.

What is the testing for? Any advantages to having chickens tested? I'm just a new first-time owner with some 6 wk. old chicks and wondering.

 

[luvmyEs]

Thanks luvmyES! Glad to have found this group. how many chickens do you have? (I'm in Swanzey)

Right now 13 of various breeds. Possibly 2 more next week? One of my silkies is sitting on 2 of my EE's eggs.

 

[puglady]

Required tests for certification in the NPIP are Salmonella Pullorum/Typhoid. This needs to be done in order to become NPIP certified. Once certified I can sell my extra eggs, chickens over 5 months old and enter them into a show (think Deerfield) if I like. I also can't bring other birds or babies into my flock without them being from an NPIP flock or I invalidate my status.

 

[vnsseed]

Required tests for certification in the NPIP are Salmonella Pullorum/Typhoid. This needs to be done in order to become NPIP certified. Once certified I can sell my extra eggs, chickens over 5 months old and enter them into a show (think Deerfield) if I like. I also can't bring other birds or babies into my flock without them being from an NPIP flock or I invalidate my status.

While I think NPIP is a good idea, please understand that it is not required by law for residents in the State of NH, only those coming from out of state with poultry (and even then they only need a State Vet certificate. If you live within the State, you don't need this to show at Deerfield. Just an FYI.

 

[puglady]

Hi VNSSEED,
I had understood they need to be tested however you may be correct. I'll have to look into it more. I hadn't planned to show with my current stock however am getting some wonderful hatching eggs from other NPIP BYC members from which I am hoping one or two may be SQ. I also wanted to have them tested as I was thinking of selling some of my 10 month olds at the local chicken swap to make room for these.

 

[lisamarie124]

So i just joined byc yesterday and i am soo glad to see so many people from new hampshire...i am from rochester...i just got my first chicks on friday and i am in love....my big question is how do they do in the winter?...do they stay in their coop?.....do you heat or not?.....

 

[vnsseed]

So i just joined byc yesterday and i am soo glad to see so many people from new hampshire...i am from rochester...i just got my first chicks on friday and i am in love....my big question is how do they do in the winter?...do they stay in their coop?.....do you heat or not?.....

Depends on the breed. We have dual purpose, winter hardy breeds that do well all year. We do not heat our coops... except when the temp drops below 10 degrees, and then we only run a 65 watt red lamp over the waterer, to keep it from freezing. The key is keeping the coop dry and draft free... and insulation.

 

[Davlyn]

Depends on the breed. We have dual purpose, winter hardy breeds that do well all year. We do not heat our coops... except when the temp drops below 10 degrees, and then we only run a 65 watt red lamp over the waterer, to keep it from freezing. The key is keeping the coop dry and draft free... and insulation.

That is what I do Now. a few yrs ago I ran a red heat lamp all the time in the winter, but now I do not, just a bulb over the water tub . I open the doors & if the chickens want to come out they can. But my girls won't until I shovel if there's over 2 " of snow

spoiled or what

I have many differant breeds including silkie & cochan bantams . Under the coop it stays snow free, so they can dust bath & I have a dog house I keep play sand in for them to dust bath.