Northern NY Poultry

[shedinator]

Hey All,

Wow, it's been a while since I was active here!

So, I'm moving from 1.5 acres in CT to 35 acres in northern NY (St Lawrence County), and looking to scale up our poultry operation. However, the move is happening in mid-April, so we've already missed our normal brooding window, and after looking at hatchery sites, it seems like we'd have to make a pretty major jump since most places have extra high minimum orders this year.

I'm curious if anyone on here knows what the poultry market in the north country looks like in early May? It seems like the feed store "chick days" are already winding down in CT by then. We'd be looking for egg laying chickens and ducks in assorted breeds, geese, BB Turkeys, and meat chickens. Where would y'all suggest we look.

And yes, I know I can also browse the state thread

 

[Smileybans]

I’m not that far north, I’m closer to Albany, but I know a lot of people are selling chickens on Craigslist. And there’s a lot of local farms that are selling started birds. I’m not sure how it will look in May but the amount of birds on Craigslist this year is crazy. Some of them are from the local farmers. Most are from people trying to sell chicks or chickens from a backyard flock. I’m pretty sure chick days here ends at the end of this month so your best bet would be local farmers. Especially for started birds.

 

[RiverOtter]

What are you looking for? I mean for your scaled up poultry operation? Winter comes early and hard to northern NY, so I'd order from a hatchery pretty soon. The minimum for most I've seen has actually dropped. Most places used to be 25, now there are lots that have it at 15. If you want eggs this year, the sooner the better. If you want eggs next year, and your new place has a warm, sturdy coop, I'd put a brooder-plate in there or a hover-brooder and raise fall chicks.

My last fall's chicks are laying well now, and will through farmer's market season.

 

[shedinator]

What are you looking for? I mean for your scaled up poultry operation? Winter comes early and hard to northern NY, so I'd order from a hatchery pretty soon. The minimum for most I've seen has actually dropped. Most places used to be 25, now there are lots that have it at 15. If you want eggs this year, the sooner the better. If you want eggs next year, and your new place has a warm, sturdy coop, I'd put a brooder-plate in there or a hover-brooder and raise fall chicks.

My last fall's chicks are laying well now, and will through farmer's market season.

The more affordable places I was looking wanted 20+ of each breed and sex with no mixing. Lower minimum places seem to be running high on price per chick compared to prior years. I was able to get ducks, turkeys, and broilers ordered so they're squared away. I'm still going to be looking for 40-50 egg layers. Were we not in the midst of moving I'd have 6-week-olds in the brooder at this point in time so it feels weird to still be trying to source chicks!

 

[NNYchick]

I’m also in Northern NY, boarder if ST Lawrence county and Lewis county in the western foothills of the Adirondacks. I see a lot of barnyard mixes offered but there is usually a swap and auction in May that is put on by the poultry club. I prefer breeder quality so I usually travel to Syracuse area or get shipped eggs. If you have Facebook M&M Eggs has a page. They have a big poultry operation in Massena and may have chicks at that time. If you have an idea of breeds your looking for I can keep my eye out, most of us are just starting to hatch.

 

[shedinator]

I’m also in Northern NY, boarder if ST Lawrence county and Lewis county in the western foothills of the Adirondacks. I see a lot of barnyard mixes offered but there is usually a swap and auction in May that is put on by the poultry club. I prefer breeder quality so I usually travel to Syracuse area or get shipped eggs. If you have Facebook M&M Eggs has a page. They have a big poultry operation in Massena and may have chicks at that time. If you have an idea of breeds your looking for I can keep my eye out, most of us are just starting to hatch.

oh, hi there neighbor! I'm headed up to Hammond.

I didn't know about M&M. That's useful info. I'm looking for a mix of production white, brown, and tinted egg layers. Might play around with some Marans in the future, but for now egg production is priority #1.

More ducks would be nice, and I'm also hoping to get some large dewlap Toulouse geese sooner than not.

Do you do meat chickens? I've ordered mine for this year, but if you know of a local provider that gets bulk discounts I'd love to know about it.

 

[NNYchick]

oh, hi there neighbor! I'm headed up to Hammond.

I didn't know about M&M. That's useful info. I'm looking for a mix of production white, brown, and tinted egg layers. Might play around with some Marans in the future, but for now egg production is priority #1.

More ducks would be nice, and I'm also hoping to get some large dewlap Toulouse geese sooner than not.

Do you do meat chickens? I've ordered mine for this year, but if you know of a local provider that gets bulk discounts I'd love to know about it.

Welcome to the neighborhood. I just have a small hobby flock of silkies and bantam Ameraucana. Michelle at M&M eggs may be a good resource for you. She has egg layer heritage chicken,turkey and ducks and geese but not sure all the breeds. Her contact and available poultry are on the website http://mmeggs.com/ I know they also work with different farm groups that sell eggs and meat from local farms to local businesses. I know she use to do hatches if someone wanted something specific but that was awhile ago.
I don’t do meat birds but my co worker at Just wingin it poultry farm does pasture raised chickens, turkeys and eggs. I can ask her but it might not be for awhile because she just lost her husband. I have heard people mention welp hatchery.
There is also a NNY poultry group that may be helpful too.

 

[RiverOtter]

Unless you need specific breeds, most hatcheries offer a "rainbow layer" assortment, 50 birds should give you a pretty nice mix.