New in NE Mass

[casibugg]

Hi there! We are moving to Massachusetts in just under 2 weeks, near the Nashua NH border. We are very excited about the move and are going to be moving to a little farm where I can finally begin raising some chickens. I have been wanting to do it for years but our neighborhood here in PA is not very friendly to the idea.

I have been reading this board for a while but finally feel that I can join and become a part of it.

Does anyone know of a local place in MA or NH that sells chicks at this time of the year? Next year we may try to do them ourselves from eggs but this year I wanted to get them already hatched, but still babies. I thought it would be a great science project for my girls this summer.

Any input would be greatly appreciated! I am looking for something that will be a good layer and have an easy temperament. I was leaning towards RI Reds.

Thank you in advance!

CK

 

[tikigrl78]

Welcome,

Most Agway or farm bureau stores still have them available,I did some research on line and found a hatchery called Murray McMurray in Webster city Iowa (they've been around forever). I looked on-line and picked what I wanted as they have a huge selection,unfortunately they did not have what I wanted,
the salesperson helping me told me they have some leftovers for the date I chose for delivery as they ship them from I think its March through September, I know what your thinking "leftovers" eww ,I was a little nervous as well , but here is what I can remember from my list that was shipped on April 28th
,3 Buff Orpintons,1 red star,1 black star, 3 snowball polish, 2 turkens (which are starting to be my fav's),3 white giants,1 barred rock,1 Hamburg and a few solid black ones I'm still trying to ID,she also asked me if i wanted the mystery chick and happily said YES.

They give you a day prior and a day after your ship date that they might show up and of course mine showed up at the distribution center on Sunday so I immediately went to pick them up,there were hundreds of boxes of chicks and eggs waiting to be picked up ,I wanted to open the box as soon as I got in the car but was afraid that some didn't make it, when I got home the brooder was ready to go, we opened the box I couldn't have been happier all arrived ALIVE and HUNGRY,one problem though ,I was at work a few days later when my daughters called me to ask how many I ordered...? I told them 15 plus the mystery,she told me we have 19 in the brooder yup 19, I cant wait til next year to order another 20 and will definitely order from them again! Well hope this helps and again Welcome to BYC and Mass/NH.

you say easy temperament and RI reds,but for me everyone has them and that seems to be what they sell up here and a few other varieties. I guess I just didn't want to be like everyone else and chose what I thought was neat or different looking and with 19 I don't think I'll have a problem with to few eggs. Good Luck

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, CK, and

! Pleased you joined us! Looks like tikigirl78 has you lined our so I'll just say best wishes! Good luck and enjoy your chicks!

 

[TheCrazyClucker]

Welcome to BYC

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[drumstick diva]

usually extra chicks a hatchery sends are going to be roosters.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Check in the Where am I - Where are You section for your state thread, there may be local BYC'er that have some extra chicks.

I would also say that RIR's tend not to be laid back or easy going. Google the Henderson chicken chart, you may enjoy looking through it, they discuss breed traits such as temperament.