Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[goldeneggtees]

they've been around before. the ladies are pretty savvy about them. I've seen coopers and red tailed back there. One time, I walked down the long walkway and saw a huge hawk in the walkway. I thought he had a hen but when I scared him by yelling, he flew off with a rather large rat.

it's a risk for sure and I'm always worried about them, but they do have plenty of cover. I do know that coopers can and will fly under bushes to get prey.

 

[smkchick]

The crows in my yard were kicking up a huge fuss yesterday afternoon, so I suspect my neighborhood hawk was on the prowl. But Gladys was still under house arrest, so thankfully I had nothing to worry about.

I just let Gladys out of the coop for the first time in 3 days. She seemed a little puzzled at first but then went on a bug hunt. She doesn't seem mad at me at all! Of course, there's nothing a handful of Happy Hen Treats won't fix!

 

[Carolyn252]

Hi, All

I just stumbled on this thread and am delighted to find so many "nearby" chickenkeepers.

I'm in Nassau County, Long Island, in the Village of Freeport.

Started with two pullets about three years ago, added another about one year ago, added two hens about three weeks ago. So now have five girls in my backyard.

Municipal Code only allows two female chickens per Freeport household, but this past summer I wrote a long letter to the Mayor of Freeport, then had him and his wife visit and showed off my coop with the resident three girls and then a week later I brought a basket of eggs and fresh veggies from my garden to his office at Village Hall.

Just last month, I phoned his office to ask if there's been any progress on my letter's request for a Code variance (to allow 8 hens), and was told "Not yet; but the Mayor's working on it not being a problem for you."

That's good enough for me to feel secure with my flock.

You mentioned Agway in Hicksville. I order from them by phone and, like you, I get delivery from them. They never mentioned anything about a minimum order. Sometimes I just order one bag of Purina Layeena at a time. No problem. He totes that big bag right into my yard and leaves it next to the coop door for me. Amazing. Sometimes I buy pine shavings from them as well.

Mostly though, I get my shavings from Parrots Of The World in Rockville Centre. Also get mealworms and waxworms there too.

-Carolyn

 

[smkchick]

Hi Carolyn! I grew up in Baldwin and my mom still lives there. Know Freeport really well. It's nice that there's still enough small town feeling there that the mayor is so approachable.

I'm definitely going to make the trip to the Hicksville Agway to check them out. Then I'll phone order too. Great info!

I've got one pullet in the yard (just out of solitary confinement for 3 days) and 3 chicks in the "brooder". I cannot wait for the chicks to go out to the coop. In fact I thought about letting them walk around in there today, but it's too cold for them.

So glad to have another Long Islander on this thread...

Suzanne

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:

Hi Howlinggood, glad to see you found us. I am surprised at all the Long Island people on here, and really happy you are all making a connection. Hope you sick around.

Al

 

[goldeneggtees]

The agway is hicksville is very small and nothing like port jeff or riverhead, they only carry minimal stock in the very small storefront. I suggest a phone call instead. And Carolyn252 says there is no minimum, so there you go. They really are awesome!

Quote:

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Hi Carolyn, and yet another Long Islander! This is fantastic.

It looks like you are being very proactive in the backyard chicken movement. This is what helps immensely. Your graciousness towards the Mayor is definitely helping the cause. Keep up the great work. Let us know how it turns out.

Hope we can all share and learn from each other.



Al

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Hi Rich, I missed this post yesterday. I think you have a great idea. I can't even remember my own name half the time.

Do you know how to put a sticky up at the beginning of the thread, cause I have no idea? Might be something the moderators have to do.



Al

 

[Carolyn252]

Hi Suzanne!

What fun to read your posting, that you know my area, etc.

If anyone wants to see my ChickArena, here's some photos from a posting of mine from last year, in November of 2010:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=422632

Another photo:

My current flock of five hens: HennyPenny, a Black Marans (dark brown eggs); ChickenLittle, a white splash Araucana (pale mint green eggs); Rosetta, a russet-colored EasterEgger (pale blue eggs); Necklace, a Delaware (pink eggs); and her sister, as yet unnamed, that we're temporarily calling Not Necklace. (LOL). NotNecklace gives us light tan eggs.

-Carolyn

 

[stoopid]

Too cute! Love the setup, Carolyn. It's amazing what a few free eggs can do for negotiating.
How's the sinuses today, Al?