Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[JerseyHen]

Well, the quail will be for eggs and eating. Since they mature so fast, there's a good turnover. I adore turkeys-they are like puppies if you raise them that way-the sweetgrass are nice and big, heritage and they've got beautiful markings. I can't wait for them to come!

As far as chicks go, I ordered 10 Gold Comets and 5 Black Australorps. Good layers with sweet personalities-the way my kids eat, I need some serious egg production!

I keep checking the incubator. I'm not sure why-they've got 12 days until lockdown and aren't going to be dancing and singing, at this point, anyways.

What plans do you have for spring?

I have 25 LF on order, an assortment just for fun: spitzhaubens, brabanters, Jaerhons, Orloffs, Lakenvelders, Hamburgs. I have 3 dozen hatching eggs coming (cream crested legbars and swedish flower hens). I will also be getting an assortment of bantams this year (25 or so). I will get a sales cage at the fall show for whatever we decide not to keep. If all goes as planned (it generally doesn't, but it is still fun to plan) I will be timing some meaties to mature about the same time as the roosters that hatch out. I am also considering getting some ducks this year.

I am not doing quail again, I might like the cots better, I had bobwhites and it took too long to turn them over.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

I have 25 LF on order, an assortment just for fun: spitzhaubens, brabanters, Jaerhons, Orloffs, Lakenvelders, Hamburgs. I have 3 dozen hatching eggs coming (cream crested legbars and swedish flower hens). I will also be getting an assortment of bantams this year (25 or so). I will get a sales cage at the fall show for whatever we decide not to keep. If all goes as planned (it generally doesn't, but it is still fun to plan) I will be timing some meaties to mature about the same time as the roosters that hatch out. I am also considering getting some ducks this year.

I am not doing quail again, I might like the cots better, I had bobwhites and it took too long to turn them over.

Yep-The bobwhites take 6 months to mature and start laying. Too long for something that will never be like a pet. The Cots are bigger and faster. Once (if) this gets going, if you want a couple, let me know-you can try just a few and see if they suit you better.

You are going to have such a colorful flock! I can't wait to see pictures. I had meaties last year *shudders* they terrified me. I knew if I fell down in their pen they'd eat me without a second thought. Quail seem much easier to deal with, and also easier to process. (and yummy!)

Ducks sound like fun too. I have a duck pond up the road and the little guys are so cute. There is a committee who takes care of them, along with the boyscouts who clean the pond and grounds. They take food from your hands, so gently. Of course it's also fairly common for there to be a traffic jam on North country road because a mama duck decides to take her brood on a walkabout. Love ducks.

I'd love to have some geese, but there's only so many birds I can fit on my property. As it is, my neighbors come over to watch my chickens hang around on my lawn and sun themselves. This year, the turkeys are sure to be a hit!

 

[queenchick16]

I will not let you women entice me; oh no I won't. I have 15 (Richard still doesn't know about the 2 new ones) and 3 coops to clean. With my additional gardens this year I will be plenty busy.

I would love to get a few meat birds though. I do have the tractor and they would be finished in no time. OK, maybe.


Discovered yesterday that the one of the down spouts ripped away from the house in the ice storm. What a mess. Hope it thaws enough to fix it.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

I will not let you women entice me; oh no I won't. I have 15 (Richard still doesn't know about the 2 new ones) and 3 coops to clean. With my additional gardens this year I will be plenty busy.

I would love to get a few meat birds though. I do have the tractor and they would be finished in no time. OK, maybe.


Discovered yesterday that the one of the down spouts ripped away from the house in the ice storm. What a mess. Hope it thaws enough to fix it.

You don't have 15. You have 6. 1 + 5 = 6. See?

That ice storm was really biblical out here. I hope your downspout is the only thing that was affected. I also hope we've seen the last of this dangerous crud falling from the skies. My cargo door on my truck is frozen OPEN. So I have to drive around with my interior light on and the cargo door ajar light flashing. What a pleasure.

Where are you going to get your meaties? Most places have a minimum of 25. A terrifying number if you ask me. Little Velociraptors. LOL.

 

[goldeneggtees]

Hi everyone, long time, no speak! This farm sanctuary is looking for someone to help try and catch a few loose chickens in Plainview, LI. Anyone that can help? I'd try but out due to major back issues.

Here is a link to the page who has more info.

https://www.facebook.com/WoodstockFarm

 

[JerseyHen]

I might give the cots a try, thanks. I am not sure where I am going to order my meaties from yet. Probably Myer in PA. I am going to get at least 25, maybe more. I have 2 other family members that I am growing them out for (everyone will be here for processing day) and I have tentatively organized a "processing day" session with some of the folks on the Hudson Valley thread that want to see how to process and perhaps reduce their rooster load. Carol, if you want to come up, I will grow a few out for you.

I think we are going to make PVC tractors for them, so as long as I can keep the bears from eating them we should be ok... I will have to move the tractors right next to the house every night so I can keep an ear out. I think I might put a motion alarm on the pens.

 

[LSzajko]

Hi everyone, looking to get some chicks soon. Is there a hatchery nearby orange county, NY?


Joe

Hi Joe,

There's a guy in Wurtsboro named Lou. He usually has a decent variety of chickens.
I bought some Buff Orpingtons and EEs from him last July. His # is 845-888-0274.

 

[jstef]

Thanks, I ordered from Cackle, should be coming in 2 weeks, I told post office and they call when they arrive. I keep them inside while they grow and it gets warmer out.


Joe

 

[irischick]

Hi everyone, long time, no speak! This farm sanctuary is looking for someone to help try and catch a few loose chickens in Plainview, LI. Anyone that can help? I'd try but out due to major back issues.


Here is a link to the page who has more info.

https://www.facebook.com/WoodstockFarm

hi I'm in plainview Ny. The FB page is in Willow Ny 87 miles away. I'd help them if they still need it.

 

[goldeneggtees]

You would have to ask them, I think you can comment on their post or message them through facebook. I realize they are far away but guess they got notice of the chickens in need and tried finding local help. Good luck, please let me know if you are able to help them and what became of them.