NY chicken lover!!!!

[boskelli1571]

Stay safe Ny peeps!!!

Amen to that! I didn't make it out of the drive.... so am tucked in by the fire!!

 

[Pyxis]

I'm at work now. At the first sign of a snowflake, off I go heading for home! Probably not going out tomorrow at all, I made sure to grab chicken feed on the way to work tomorrow so I'm all set there.

 

[Purpletie3]

Wish i didn't. Unfortunately, I have classes to teach and one to go to...I wish I could call it a pj day. Luckily, i can break from it and run home and check on the hatch!

 

[rancher hicks]

If you want to get into bee keeping at a reasonable price - try top bar hives. You can build your own hive for under $50 easily by using scrap lumber for all but the hive body. A package of bees will set you back around $110 at current prices - or you could catch your own swarm. Visit www.goldstarhoneybees.com. I have 2 hives, one is currently occupied by bees and I'm hoping they will make it throught the winter ok. Last winter was so bad both hives died.

Certainly everyone with bees doesn't lose their hive every winter. Was there a reason yours died? How old were they? I should follow the bee thread just to read up.

 

[rancher hicks]

Thanks! I'm getting 100 chicks delivered early next week from McMurray of 8 different breeds. With shipping, two vaccinations, heat packs, GrowGel, and chicken "Gatorade," it works out to $4.50/chick.
Was hoping to sell 80 locally and keep 20. I have a few buyers already at $7/chick.
Was hoping I wouldn't get laughed off of Craigslist/FB for that price.
Would $6 be more reasonable?

Location is key. I don't get very much for mine.

 

[boskelli1571]

Certainly everyone with bees doesn't lose their hive every winter. Was there a reason yours died? How old were they? I should follow the bee thread just to read up.

No they don't. Last winter was especially hard, about 50% of NY bees were lost - either to freezing or 'starve out'. The winter was simply too long & cold for many. Mine were only in their first year, but they had a weak queen to start with. By the time the colony had replaced the old queen, it was too late to play catch up with the resources they needed

I'm optimistic about the current hive tho' they had made a good deal of honey in time for the winter - now if winter would just quit.....

 

[rancher hicks]

Evening all. The storm is here and just getting started. Windy out and that makes the windchill freaking cold! Birds were out all day anyways although the reds stayed under their coop most of the time. The plastic I put on the silkie coops and runs is hold up well and what a difference it makes, especially on the long run on the pink coop. The top is covered and its open under it, covered with hardware cloth. When I stuck my head in to see if everyone was in the coop I noticed how much warmer it was in the run than the surrounding air. Its dark though cause all I had was black plastic but hey, its keeping out the wind and snow so it works for me. It will be interesting to see how much snow we have when I get up in the am. Its really supposed to amp up tomorrow and our county is under a state of emergency. No work for me tomorrow, except snowblowing and shoveling and hauling water/feed, collecting eggs and laundry.

Hard to believe its almost february. Means hatching time is approaching! I am chomping at the bit to fire up my bators. Cant wait to see what my first batch of home bred heritage rirs look like. Speaking of, those girls were out poking around in the snow this afternoon. I swear they are indestructable. Nothing fazes them.

County--you decide what you are going to add to your flock yet?

Rancher--Im glad you havent had much snow. I worry about you out there blowing all those coops out and such. I have 4 and sometime its a real pain. Hows dw?

Legolas has two blue girls in his coop this year besides his two wives. Im hoping to get some light blue silkies from them. Im also hoping its not the year of the boys again!

Ta for now. If Im not buried Ill report in tomorrow!

DW is doing okay. Start radiation next week. Tired mostly. Bummed cuz she didn't get SSD, but we will see a lawyer about that. Otherwise okay. This cold is not easy on her. For some reason she is cold all the time. Though this office is too hot for her.

I've got the incu running and the door closed. It's about 80*. Of course the heat is up too.

I think the temps would have to rise for it to snow.

 

[rancher hicks]

No they don't. Last winter was especially hard, about 50% of NY bees were lost - either to freezing or 'starve out'. The winter was simply too long & cold for many. Mine were only in their first year, but they had a weak queen to start with. By the time the colony had replaced the old queen, it was too late to play catch up with the resources they needed

I'm optimistic about the current hive tho' they had made a good deal of honey in time for the winter - now if winter would just quit.....

Can hives be placed in some sort of lea? Perhaps an evergreen cove type of thing. I know which was the wind blows here so when I place the shelters for the chickens I place them so the block the snow.

The sun comes up at the front of this coops and the snow blows in from the same direction.

 

[DeAnzaJig]

Hello,
I've been busy trying to reading through this thread to get some information, but there are just too many pages!

Does anyone know who I could contact to purchase about 10 to 12 day old guinea keet in or around Saratoga County? I have been wanting to get a small flock started for years and finally have the space. I'd be happy to be put on a list.

I have searched my local Craig's List but couldn't find anything listed.

I appreciate any advice you have to offer.

Thank you!

 

[Pyxis]

Hello,
I've been busy trying to reading through this thread to get some information, but there are just too many pages!

Does anyone know who I could contact to purchase about 10 to 12 day old guinea keet in or around Saratoga County? I have been wanting to get a small flock started for years and finally have the space. I'd be happy to be put on a list.

I have searched my local Craig's List but couldn't find anything listed.

I appreciate any advice you have to offer.

Thank you!

Any particular color you want? I can have some for you in May, if you are okay to drive to Glens Falls to meet me.