Fun! I should get to the Deerfield Fair more often. We have an upcoming poultry show at the Topsfield Fair (Topsfield, Mass. at the intersection of Rte. 1 and Rte. 97), Sept. 30 - Oct. 10. The judging is usually done the first couple days of the fair, but birds are on display for the whole thing.

If you want to buy poultry, the New England Bantam Club has a tailgate sale/swap this Saturday (9/16) from 9am to noon at the Bolton Fairgrounds on the border of Bolton and Lancaster, Mass. I've brought birds to sell there and it's a good place for trades, purchases and selling of not just poultry, but doves, rabbits, pet supplies and small farm equipment too.

Another poultry event: the local chapter of Future Farmers of America has an annual auction at the Topsfield Fairgrounds poultry barn, the first Sunday after the fair closes, noon until all is sold. We bring our extra chicks, turkeys, ducks, laying hens, geese, roosters (always a plentiful item), bantams, gamebirds, pea- and guinea fowl, doves, cage birds, rabbits (another plentiful item) and farm produce. Twenty-five percent of proceeds go to the FFA kids to fund their club activities. I look forward to the auction every season, and have bought and sold lots of good birds.

I am! and you both seem to know your birds, so can I ask for some advice? We're thinking about getting some chickens, probably just four laying hens for eggs. I was thinking it would be better to get started with this in the spring since we don't know what we're doing and winters can be rough. But I also get the impression that we'd be better off getting young chickens (pullets?) rather than trying to raise chicks, so maybe they'd be OK in the winter.

Is the Bantam club sale/swap a good place for newbies (is it just Bantams)? Obviously, we've got to work out the whole coop thing. . .

My main question is whether it's a good idea to get started with chickens in the fall or whether we should wait til spring.

Depends on your facilities and your circumstances. If you're planning to keep 4 hens, I'm assuming that it'll be through the winter eventually, unless you're planning to replace them every year. If you have the appropriate set up now, you can buy pullets that are just starting to lay, or will as soon as the molt is done. You'll have to pay attention to light cycles, and have one on a timer, if you want eggs throughout the winter, but you'll have to do that in the future anyway. You'll make mistakes, winter coming or not, it's all part of learning. Get Gail Damerow's "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens". It covers all the basics and more.

Be careful about who you buy from at these swap meets. There are a lot of wheelers and dealers, swapping birds with little care or knowledge of what else they're swapping around. Being a nice person does not necessarily mean that he practices good biosecurity. If you want fancy ornamental breeds, be aware that they often lay less than commercial breeds, but many will still provide plenty of eggs for the average family's needs, and they have the added benefit of being interesting to look at throughout the year as opposed to the boring IMO hybrid layers.

Thanks for the information Patrick. We do plan to keep them through the winter. We've been thinking about it for a while, but have been getting great eggs from a neighbor for the past few months. They just lost their hens to a predator which is why we're thinking of getting them sooner rather than later. Considering we know absolutely nothing (but I will read that book), we're not a great candidate for swaps, I guess. Do you know reputable places to buy pullets? I'm under the impression that most commercial places don't deal in such small numbers as we're dealing with. We're in north central Mass. right on the NH border.

vickima,

I started 25 day-old chicks that are five-weeks old today. They were ordered over the Internet from Privett Hatchery in New Mexico. I kept them indoors for the first week in a five-foot kiddie pool to watch for things like pasty butt, and then they went out into the coop with a heat lamp on pine shavings. I have already had temps down into the mid-30s, and they have done fine. In one more week I will remove the heat lamp. I only really wanted six to 10 birds, but you have to order a large minimum on-line, usually 20 - 30, so they can keep warm. So far, all 25 have survived. Over time their numbers will get whittled down, so it is not a problem. Once they get past the first week or two, chickens are pretty tough birds. After three weeks they look more like miniature versions of the adults than chicks. The coop is in a large fenced enclosure surrounded by electric fencing, but I keep them locked in the coop for safety and only let them out to forage, when I am in the enclosure. They are all large/heavy breeds (5 Buff Orpingtons, 5 Barred Rocks, 5 Light Brahmas, 5 New Hampshire Reds, 5 Black Jersey Giants) and as adults are safe in the enclosure (assuming a branch doesnt fall and short the electric fence while I am away, which is why I am starting a new flock of babies so late in the season, but thatÂs another story). However, as babies they are easy hawk food.

The hardest part has been getting chick feed. The local feed store has mash, but not crumbles. After the summer, they stop stocking it. They have special ordered several 50 lb. bags for me, but they are still not in after two weeks. So, be sure you can get feed reliably. Layer pellets should be readily available all year.

I highly second PatrickÂs book recommendation; it is excellent and my Âbible. The Farmlife forum on GardenWeb also has a lot of posts about chicks and chickens.

As you probably know, you donÂt need a rooster to have eggs; they are only necessary for fertile eggs. I order pullets, which costs more, but yields mostly females (sexing is not 100% guaranteed for chicks). If you order straight run, you will get at least 50% males. You can always eat the males (not my style, but many do). Unlike my first order of chickens a few years ago, in which I amazingly received all females, this time I ended up with at least one male (Barred Rocks sexes have different coloration, so I could tell at three weeks), which is fine by me. Will be interesting. I donÂt normally name my birds, but couldnÂt resist calling him Brewster The Rooster.

If you have never raised chickens, I recommend starting with chicks. Maybe that seems counterintuitive, but you will really learn a lot about your birds that way and, besides, watching them grow up is just the coolest. Mine are heavily into establishing their pecking order right now. Brewster desperately wants to be top dog, but the Jersey Giants (largest regular production breed with females over 10 lbs. and males capable of exceeding 20 lbs.) already tower over him and donÂt back down from a challenge. I think he is going to end up with a severe inferiority complex.

Have fun, and enjoy both the entertainment and eating the finest eggs you will ever taste.

Hope this helps,

narcnh

Vicki,
Where are you in Mass.? I am planning to take some of my laying hens to the FFA auction in Topsfield, this October, because I'm downsizing my "collection." If you would like to start with some hens this fall, I have 3 black australorp hens I would be happy to give to you. They are 2 years old, but will lay for many more years.

For chickens, you have to have a well-ventilated but draft-free shelter and sturdy covered pen (to keep the predators away), though. It's true that starting in spring is usually easier, especially if you expect to have to tromp through snow to get to the coop every day, and want time to "acclimate" yourself to that reality!

narcnh, thanks for sharing your experience. 25 chicks sounds like way too much for me, but I've wondered if chickens get along better with their environment and each other if you raise them from chicks.

cady, I appreciate the offer. I'll have to talk to the DH to see if we want to get a coop ready this fall, and go over what breeds we want. I'll email you if it looks like we'll go ahead.

vickima,

Yeah, I realized that would be a lot more than you wanted or needed. My point was to show that you can raise chickens from chicks in the fall, provided you have the facilities in place and take the proper precautions. They are pretty hardy and not very difficult to raise. I should have pointed out that most feed stores offer chicks in the spring, and you can order as many as you need. Sometimes there is a minimum, like 6, but it is a lot more reasonable. The slection is usually more limited, however, so if you have your heart set on a specific breed, then you might need to look elsewhere. You can ask around now to see what breeds will be available in the spring to help with the decision-making process. Also, a lot of people pool orders for Internet purchases to reach the larger shipping minimums. Might be another option for you, especially considering your neighbor's unfortunate chickenless situation.

So, if you aren't ready this fall, can't take cady up on her generous offer, and end up waiting until spring, you can go small birds or big birds to start; you have options.

narcnh

Yes, the swaps. There are some good folks there, others beware. If you get up to the NH show, look me up. I might not have a lot of time to chat, but I can point you in the right direction of a few people to talk with.

Vicki-I'm interested in chicks this spring (I'm in Merrimack), so maybe we can pool an order. Email me around March and maybe we can get together. I have a "loaner" chicken that adopted my yard on a part time basis. I have been feeding her since June. She apparently escaped from one of my neighbors and now drops by my house about once a week for pellets. I've gotten attached to her, so I hope she decides to get somewhere safe for the winter. If I could catch her, I'd build a coop now, but she is a pretty wild chicken. I plan on doing some research on chickens over the winter so I'm prepared. I grew up with bantums, but that was in California and these were basically loose in the yard, not penned. I don't remember much abnout how to take care of them-I think they were pretty self sufficient other than water dishes and chicken feed thown out to them daily.

Vicki and terryboc: I'm interested in chickens this spring too - I'm in Reading. I'm thinking 4 should do it for a start(although I hear raising chickens can be addictive!) And I'd like some that are interesting to look at too - not be tied to whatever I find in the Agway store. Let me know if you need another person to go in on an order. I'll be studying up all winter!
Kristin

we have gone to the topsfield sale, but didn't last year, I don't know if we will this year.
we have 6 girls and "doodle", our Silkie rooster. The girls are a golden polish "daphne", 2 silkies "baby" and "white baby", a leghorn "alex", a americana "tree", and a NH red, "couch". My 5 year old was responsible for most of the names LOL

I have adopted most from the MSPCA at Nevins farm in Methuen. They can be a great source, and you give a chicken a good home :) If you are interested, call them and ask to be put on their waiting list for laying hens. IIRC they ask for a $10 donation for each.

I am looking for 3 more to go into winter for optimum warmth without overcrowding, so cady, if vicki doesn't take you up on the australorps I would love to buy them from you
LMK

Hipchick,
I am pretty sure that Vicki has taken a pass on the 'lorps (since she hasn't e-mailed about them and it's getting near auction time) and would love for you to have them. I'd rather send them directly to a nice home than haul them to the auction and "who knows where."

Krisinlokin, absolutely, chickens are addictive. :) I started with a pair of "barnyard" bantams and now have about 30 chooks of different breeds and sizes. I'm raising Nankins, which are a rare bantam breed.

cady, I'm still trying to figure out all the chicken stuff. Sure seems complicated when you've never done it before. We may hold off til spring and get chicks - still don't know. But you're right about my passing on the Australorps - we're just not ready yet. I'm so glad to hear they may have found a wonderful home with hipchick!!

Krisinlokin, why don't you email me so I have your address. I already contacted terryboc to suggest we all keep in touch about chick-splitting in the spring - maybe there's a better term for that :)

Thank you, Vicki. It's wise of you to wait till spring, but to do your preparations now! One thing about chickens is that you can always get them when you really want them.

Hipchick, if you really would like some hens, drop me an e-mail through My Page. :)

Just a reminder!
If you're in northeastern Mass. or southeastern New Hampshire/Maine, and you're interested in poultry, the big poultry auction is at the Topsfield Fairgrounds on Sunday, October 15 (tomorrow as I type this post).

It's an annual fundraiser for the local chapter of Future Farmers of America (at Essex Agricultural & Technical Institute, a state-run aggie). The kids get 25% of proceeds to help pay for their chapter activities.

There are always lots of great buys. Laying hens, bantams chickens, ducks of different breeds, exotic pheasants and gamebirds, turkeys, guinea fowl, bunnies, cage birds (finches, doves, budgies) and the occasional chinchilla or guinea pig. There also are lots of non-livestock goods, such as donated bushels of fresh apples from local farms, bags of poultry feed, nest boxes, small equipment (farming, poultry keeping) and cages, and whatnot.

It's a fun afternoon - the auction starts at noon and runs until everything is sold. If you are coming to sell, your poultry/items must be checked in before 11:30am. All poultry (excepting waterfowl) must be blood tested for pullorum and AI.

The kids sell hot dogs, chips and tonic/soda if you need a snack.

Come on over! The weather is supposed to be nice all day, and you don't have to bid or sell. Just come enjoy the atmosphere.