NY chicken lover!!!!

[northeastDad]

I know a guy that had bees for years . That's where I got my fresh honey from but 2 years ago some kind of disease killed most of his hives . He sold the remaining hives and spinner and got out of it

 

[rooster58]

Hey folks.

It is finally time for us to start considering expanding our flock again by a couple of pullets. If you want to plan to sell us pullets in the summer - awesome, we'll plan for that. If you happen to already have an excess of pullets sitting around? Even better.

We're looking for something not already in our flock... or Easter Eggers/Ameraucanas or barnyard mixes.

The breeds we already currently have:
Barred rock, Red Sexlink, Brown Leghorn, Olive Egger.

We've got particular interests in Marans (especially Copper and Lavender), Faverolles, and black chickens in general.

Anyone got pullets to hustle? We're in Oswego.

I'm in Oswego too. Well Scriba anyway. Haha. If all my babies make it I will have a few extra very soon. Send me a PM if you wish.

 

[boskelli1571]

We didn't make it to the Homestead Fair, but one of hubby's friends and Mo'ville classmates went to the Bee class. Not a good review, but she is already a beekeeper as well. For a good in-depth class, look to your local clubs. Several are hosting beginner classes right now. And Geneva Bee Conference is coming up on the 18th.
Hubby got in our hives when the temp got up to 70. Sadly, 5 of the 6 have perished. Only explanation would be not enough mite treatment. Treated only once in late fall, too little too late. Will treat this year before spring flow, during summer dearth and again in fall. Of course the surviving hive is the grumpy one.

Sorry about your hives. It's so disheartening when you peek in and everyone is dead

 

[Lapeerian]

I'm considering hives but will most likely look for a care taker. A % of the honey is where I'm looking to go. Anyone have thoughts on that arrangement ? 

Bluntly: If you owned lots of open acres of clover, goldenrod, or another specialty crop, it may be worthwhile for the keeper because you can put up several hives. Otherwise maintaining a single hive in suburbia is more work than the financial gain (or loss) would be worth. And if your backyard is as shaded and damp as you say, it would be a poor location for a hive. If you are looking strictly for pollination, look at adding mason bees houses. :
It is the same as keeping backyard chickens. Eggs at the store are much cheaper than the amount of money and work we put into them at home. Just continue to plant Bee-friendly crops and flowers, the wild bees will thank you.

 

[boskelli1571]

Heads up everyone - Avian Influenza found in a commercial flock in Tennessee........hope this is a 'one off'

 

[rancher hicks]

Bluntly: If you owned lots of open acres of clover, goldenrod, or another specialty crop, it may be worthwhile for the keeper because you can put up several hives. Otherwise maintaining a single hive in suburbia is more work than the financial gain (or loss) would be worth. And if your backyard is as shaded and damp as you say, it would be a poor location for a hive. If you are looking strictly for pollination, look at adding mason bees houses.

:
It is the same as keeping backyard chickens. Eggs at the store are much cheaper than the amount of money and work we put into them at home. Just continue to plant Bee-friendly crops and flowers, the wild bees will thank you.

Well I can't argue with the bee thing. As for the egg thing. Eggs from our pasture fed chickens may cost us a bit more but not when you consider we're getting the better eggs the stores sell. Our eggs are healthier. We only look at the eggs on the cheaper end of the spectrum but we should be looking at the higher end of the sales spectrum. We just can't get folks to pay us what our eggs are worth.

You almost make me want to give up keeping chickens. Almost.

 

[rancher hicks]

Have you signed up for TSC ? Ads? I just got my coupon for $5 off $25 or $10 off $50. I'm not sure they send them to everyone but I shop there regularly. At least once a month.

Oh on Ebay there are "Harris" metal feeders for $13.99 or there abouts. I was tempted but I have plastic ones and they serve me okay. I do have a couple of metal ones too. The ones on Ebay look a bit better quality though.

 

[rooster58]

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My babies are growing fast!!!

 

[Beau Garden]

I'm struggling with keeping my incubator at 40%. I keep adding water and humidifier in the room but it's still barely at 40. I'm nervous about getting to lock down day. Any ideas on how I'll be able to get the humidity even higher when time comes?

 

[PhoredaBurds]

I'm struggling with keeping my incubator at 40%. I keep adding water and humidifier in the room but it's still barely at 40. I'm nervous about getting to lock down day. Any ideas on how I'll be able to get the humidity even higher when time comes?

Sometimes a wet sponge will help (bc lots of surface area). I cut kitchen sponges in half & add half at a time then see if I need more.