NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

I have 3 silkies broody,,,,sheese. I want eggs not hens sitting on nothing. None of my other breeds go broody much, except one of my Marans. Eggs have been sporadic this winter and having issues with my incubator doesn't help.

Well now I don't have silkies but I would be glad to have even one being broody. I'm getting ready to set eggs and while Marans are hard I have to put them in. A broody hen would do a much better job.

My Dels and C.Rocks don't go broody but my EE's and Marans are a sure thing. Just not at a convenient time of year.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I always hate that people get the chick bug so soon - my chickens are not ready to be separated into breeder pens when it is so cold out -they like being a full flock ...and who wants to haul around multiple water and feed stations when it is frigid.

By the time I get to it - so many have their peeps .... I wonder if they loose some babies due to the cold ? My hens don't even think of going broody until summer - not even in late spring .... so I know I am missing out on both buying and selling peeps because I just refuse to do it with such cold drafts and rainy weather coming on .....

I agree ! It is too early for me !
I dont want all the rest of the trouble ...heat lamps ....baby food ....a place to keep them ..etc
My flock is just now all eating layer ...The 4 pullets have grown up & are laying ...So 11 eggs yesterday ! YYAH
Now if a hen decides to become broody a may let her ....but not my choice ....
I figure why let a gift broody go to waste ?

 

[Gramma Chick]

SAD !!!
Poor battery chickens
Want to help them out ..change .org


https://www.change.org/p/sodexo-sto...I&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email

 

[Nuttyfrom6kids]

They are sexed and vaccinated. Plus, I figured in terms of supply & demand, it's tough for most small backyard farmers to order 25 chicks this time of year. Hoping since I got a variety of chick colors, hen colors, and egg colors and the fact that you could come here with your kids and pick out a box full of whatever you want would be a draw.
I'll try $7. If it doesn't work, I'll go down to $6. Just kind of hoping to make my hobby break even! So far the cost of owning chickens has FAR outweighed the income!!

You don't have to order 25 you can order 15 through Mcmurray and numerous other hatcheries.

I hate to tell you that you will never even break even on chickens let alone make an income. The reward is the enjoyment of owning them and watching them.

 

[Metella]

True - I have scored some free peeps and now a broody hatching out my own layers - and even with a great source to supplement my feed costs, free ranging in the summer AND selling my eggs ..... I don't make any money.

However, I have healthy eggs, chicken meat and a greater sense of sustainability should anything happen to any of our food supply lines.

 

[boskelli1571]

Boskelli & Pharm - Where would you recommend getting started on bee keeping? It is a hobby Hubby is interested in, and he sent me the link showing that CountryMax now carries all the equipment by Little Giant. They carry Bee Keeping for Dummies book, but which ones did you find most helpful? I think our local Soil & Water District will be having a landowner workshop on the subject this spring.

With the equipment, I think it's reasonably priced at Country Max etc. - bear in mind, you usually have to put the pieces together yourself - can be frustrating. Make sure the wood is untreated. Websites include www.brushymountain.com ; www.dadant.com ; www.goldstarhoneybees.com. I have found the most helpful books for me were: Storeys beekeeping book; the thinking beekeeper by C. Hemenway (top bar hives) and Honeybee by C. Marchese( more about making beauty/health products from the honey). There are several other websites depending on what type of hive he wants. The Langstroth is by far the most common in the US. Brushy mountain has a starter package with all you will need for a reasonable price. I caution everyone against buying 2nd hand/gently used etc. you don't know what chemicals or diseases the wood has been exposed to. Feel free to keep asking questions - I love my bees and they need all the help they can get right now!

 

[rancher hicks]

You don't have to order 25 you can order 15 through Mcmurray and numerous other hatcheries.

I hate to tell you that you will never even break even on chickens let alone make an income. The reward is the enjoyment of owning them and watching them.

Diversification is the key. Most folks at the market sell things other than eggs. And they develop a following.

I have a lady who buys all my eggs and I wish I'd reach the point where I were just a bit over what I need. I'm not sure I'm making money but at least the eggs aren't sitting.

Raising your own chicks can avoid some trouble in taking in newbies. A closed flock is safer.

Nutty how are those C.Rocks doing? I got one egg and that was it. I've switched to your feed.

 

[rancher hicks]

True - I have scored some free peeps and now a broody hatching out my own layers - and even with a great source to supplement my feed costs, free ranging in the summer AND selling my eggs ..... I don't make any money.

However, I have healthy eggs, chicken meat and a greater sense of sustainability should anything happen to any of our food supply lines.

Being set up for chicks is key. Starting early means egg come early and a nice fall and winter crop. I don't think we keep good records and that may be why we don't seem to have a profit.

 

[Lapeerian]

With the equipment, I think it's reasonably priced at Country Max etc. - bear in mind, you usually have to put the pieces together yourself - can be frustrating. Make sure the wood is untreated. Websites include www.brushymountain.com ; www.dadant.com ; www.goldstarhoneybees.com. I have found the most helpful books for me were: Storeys beekeeping book; the thinking beekeeper by C. Hemenway (top bar hives) and Honeybee by C. Marchese( more about making beauty/health products from the honey). There are several other websites depending on what type of hive he wants. The Langstroth is by far the most common in the US. Brushy mountain has a starter package with all you will need for a reasonable price. I caution everyone against buying 2nd hand/gently used etc. you don't know what chemicals or diseases the wood has been exposed to. Feel free to keep asking questions - I love my bees and they need all the help they can get right now!

Thanks!
I'm sure there will be more questions. I told Hubby to reach out to a couple of the local beekeepers too. One is not far from where we live. Another is the dad of a highschool classmate, think he may be out of beekeeping now but any knowledge will be helpful.

 

[sarahandbray]

Good thing we both have full time jobs
Nah, not trying to turn a profit on chickens...just hoping to pay the day to day expenses of feed, bedding, and other supplies.
Two more hatches in my incubator, and that should be paid off!! Just trying not to break the bank on a hobby, but also be able to supply our friends and family with awesome, healthy eggs, AND keep spoiled rotten, pastured chickens