New Jersey

[KelseyBoxer]

Welcome to the great and crazy world of chickens! And welcome fellow south jersey chicken keeper. I have been owned by my feathered friends for a several years now. I started with feed store chicks (they come from a hatchery) and now I hatch my own. My first breed was Wyandotte and I find them to be big sweet birds that are very cold tolerent. They have small rose combs and beautiful laced feathers. Mine are golden laced. They also lay big brown eggs. That being said, my rooster has produced some gorgous mixed babies as I also have some hybrid egg layers. (production red and amberlinks). I bought local Ameraucana eggs last year and hatched a small flock. They are smaller and more flighty than the other flock. I just hatched and sold ameraucana chicks this past week. I have more in the incubator now.
As far as hatching eggs I think that it is the best part of the whole experience. I use a styrofoam incubator and my hatch rates have gotten better each time. There was heart ache and sadness at first. The temp and humidity regulating was mostly guess work. BYC is a great sorce and if you join a hatch along its even better. One note: sometimes you are faced with a problem chick or two and culling the poor thing is the humane way of putting it out of its misery. I just had to do it and it was emotional and stressful. Just keep that in mind.
So, as I said, Welcome to chicken craziness and enjoy the ride!

 

[mame1616]

Quote:

May I say thank you now, for doing your research BEFORE getting birds? Too many people don't, and then there are regrets!

What she said ^ about the breeds - I feel the same. I have/had many of the same breeds, and feel the same about the "egg-layers," although I know other people are devoted to them. It's just been my experience. I tend to keep the meat breeds and dual-purpose breeds. They are pretty laid back and friendly. Sometimes too much so, when they see me carrying in a treat! They won't get out from under my feet!

However, I will offer the opposite opinion on hatching for newbies - there's a lot going on with chicks that new people may not recognize due to their unfamiliarity with how chickens look, sound, act, etc. I had birds for a long while before I ever hatched, and I remember feeling - still feel! - relieved that I had a comfort level with chickens before delving into that particular area. Not that I had issues, (well, not many,) but I certainly had fewer questions about whether everything they were doing was "normal." I was glad I was able to look at them and see they were doing what they were supposed to be doing. I try only to hatch with a broody hen now - set it, and forget it!

Once you decide the breeds you want, then you can build the coop around they needs. For example, bantams have slightly different housing requirements than large fowl - the roosts, for instance. But - build the coop for yourself! Think of how you are going to clean it and change the food and water. If you have a tiny little coop, it will make it more difficult to get the shop vac in there for when you need a real good clean, like in the spring and fall. Some of these coops today are mroe fasionable than practical.


***You're in South Jersey? That reminds me - I'm giving a chicken-keeping talk at the Mays Landing Public Library on February 25th. Unfortunately, they won't let me bring my birds, but I go over all of the info you need to think about before getting chickens. There's a Q&A portion afterwards. Contact that library for more info.

 

[KelseyBoxer]

You're goning to be in Mays Landing at the library? We just drove home from Egg Harbor Twsp thru Mayslanding. I would love to attend your presentation. I will call them and find out the times, ect. I would like to meet you before we go to the Delmarva show. You had such go tips about the whole trip.

 

[BobMcDuff]

Thanks for the welcome all.

I was mostly looking at dual-purpose birds, and Wyandottes were one of those on the list. Any local places to source fertile eggs (I'm in atlantic county, will have to check and see if I can make the Mays Landing library date, have a time?). Or are most just shipping their eggs and hoping for the best?

 

[KevinLynch]

Where can I buy ducklings in new jersey?

 

[KevinLynch]

And do you have to be 18 to buy ducklings?

 

[mame1616]

You're goning to be in Mays Landing at the library? We just drove home from Egg Harbor Twsp thru Mayslanding. I would love to attend your presentation. I will call them and find out the times, ect. I would like to meet you before we go to the Delmarva show. You had such go tips about the whole trip.

Thanks for the welcome all.

I was mostly looking at dual-purpose birds, and Wyandottes were one of those on the list. Any local places to source fertile eggs (I'm in atlantic county, will have to check and see if I can make the Mays Landing library date, have a time?). Or are most just shipping their eggs and hoping for the best?

The presentation is actually at the Buena Regional High School, 125 Weymouth Rd, Buena, NJ. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 6-8pm. (Snow date is March 4th.) I guess they don't have a meeting room or anything at the actual library.

Bob - I get all of my birds or eggs from breeders, by advance order, but I understand that many on here get birds from a place in Howell that sells several varieties. Dual-purpose is a great way to go! I have all meat and dual-purpose breeds. Great personalities!

Kelsey - glad that you got something out of the info. I remember what it was like to be new and confused by the whole thing. It's too much fun to miss stuff because you don't know what's going on.

 

[KelseyBoxer]

Mame, I called BRHS and registered for 2 on Wed nite. Thay even sent me an email confirmation! I hope we have good weather. Its snowing now and my girls HATE it. They are all going to bed early tonite. See you on Wed!

 

[JerseyHen]

Anyone local that will have turkey hatching eggs this year? I am hoping for sweetgrass or royal palm...

 

[KelseyBoxer]

I'm also looking for turkey eggs this year. I have a nice young burbon red hen and I would like to hatch her some friends. If I find a good tom, then I will have eggs available. But thats getting a little ahead of myself.