Western Massachusetts

[Berkshirechick]

Hello fellow West. Massachusetts chicken owners. I am a Berkshire county resident.

I have a bantam flock with two Silkies, three Sebrights and an OEG hen. The two oldies are Cleo the Ameraucana, and Magnolia the Ancona.

Wish I could help barkersbirds, but I don't know anyone with ducklings around here right now. I have a few ducks, but they don't nest much anymore.

Good luck finding a playmate for your duckling!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Hello!

So I just made a thread about New England breeders, the idea was to maybe make sort of a central list type thing instead of having to dig through while threads. It really hasn't had any activity since I posted it late last night and so it was suggested to me that I post about it in the various New England threads.

Sooooo, if you're interested, please check it out and share what you breed and whatnot

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1085350/new-england-area-breeders-hatcheries

 

[Berkshirechick]

As depressing as the rain is after the nice warm days, the plants could use it. Can't wait to see all the flowers and green grass come in!

 

[ShrekDawg]

As depressing as the rain is after the nice warm days, the plants could use it. Can't wait to see all the flowers and green grass come in!

Same here!

 

[eyralis]

You may already know this but just in case- it’s SO important!!
Please, please go vote on November 8 to ban this atrocity!

Massachusetts is considering becoming the 11th state to ban battery cages so small and so crowded that the girls can’t spread their wings, ever, for their whole life. For their entire life, each hen has been allocated a space smaller than an iPad. This ballot measure would also ban cages for veal calves so small they can’t ever turn around.

Just by ticking one box, you can change their life and make animal history.
Stop their suffering - VOTE YES ON PROP 3!
http://www.citizensforfarmanimals.com/

Spread the word, we MUST make this happen.

Tell your friends, your family, your neighbors. Do you belong to a church? Please PLEASE ask your minister, pastor or priest to speak to the congregation about this. It would be truly an act of kindness and mercy!

 

[jeannedeaux]

Hi. I’m in Amherst and this will be my fourth winter with chickens. A few things I’ve learned: 1) Do not heat coop unless it drops below -10 as the chickens need to adapt by growing down feathers, which they won’t do if the coop is warm. 2) if you have anyone with a largish comb/wattles, in very cold weather it’s good to put vasoline on those parts against frost bite. 3) Give whole corn as scratch treat before bed as it burns more calories and warms them during the night. 4) You can help insulate the coop against some of the cold winds with bales of straw against the outside north wall. Be sure to keep air flow though—never seal up a coop—the damp from the chickens’ urine and breath can cause mold and lung infections. 5) Be sure there are enough in your coop for its size that they can keep each other warm at night. I also give mine extra hanging treats and sometimes warm oatmeal and yogurt to stave off boredom and depression. They are social and miss us when free ranging is impossible! Good luck.

 

[Dreaming_of_Chicks]

Hi Everyone, Do any of you near Southampton sell eggs to eat? If you don’t want to reply on here feel free to dm me. Jen

 

[Dreaming_of_Chicks]

Hi Everyone, My name is Jen. I am here to learn! I currently am in an apartment, but dream of a home in the woods and homesteading or being as self-sufficient as possible.

I also joined Sufficient self.com to learn. I enjoy Backwoods Home and Self-Reliance Magazines but am looking forward to actually having people to talk to about aspects of homesteading.

Basics about myself:
I am a 40-year-old Christian Lesbian who takes care of the elderly for work. I adopted a rescue dog Bailey (on my header) in October who has been my life for these past 5 months. He was abused and has been learning to trust and is enjoying his life at home and at doggie daycare.

I love being outside, as much as I can! My dream is to just drop a house in the woods, near God made water! And to raise a family there! I love all kinds of animals, crafting (esp. needle crafts), and playing board and card games. I also enjoy music (listening and singing), reading and writing.

In addition to learning, I'd be interested in making likeminded friends and purchasing fresh eggs if anyone sells theirs in my area. (My area goes basically from Amherst Ma to Springfield Ma, and out about 20 miles each way!)

 

[Dreaming_of_Chicks]

Hi Everyone, Do any of you near Southampton sell eggs to eat? If you don’t want to reply on here feel free to dm me. Jen

I liked something from everyone who lives close to me to hopefully get traction for my posts! No one has been on this thread for 5 years, so afraid my posts will never be seen. Sorry if it’s annoying. Jen

 

[ShrekDawg]

Hello! I’m not currently in western Mass but I love it out there! And