Chicken keepers

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Comment by Mellisa Bencivengo on March 28, 2012 at 8:01am

so we have our chicks.  We have lost one of our Jersey Giants but the remaining 15 seem to be doing quite well.  We have started on our second week of having them.  I think it is time to move the heat lamp up a bit and boy are they eating more.  I am very excited about this new adventure!

Comment by Sandra Varelmann on March 27, 2012 at 10:37am

We are in Mayfield Heights and started last year with 9 hens from Meyers.  We built the coop with sight and property lines in mind.  Someone complained - probably neighbors in Mayfield Heights with townhomes against us.  The city was very nice.  We wrote our reply with two main points, Mayfield Village is a bird sanctuary and ordiance allows for "caged birds."  This seemed to satisfy concerns and worked.  Happy to help others if we can.

Comment by Lorrie Rice on March 27, 2012 at 10:27am

Mellisa- I do have a light in the coop that is on a timer. I give them 14-16 hours of daylight total. I also have a night light for them (4w bulb). You will be so happy with your new adventure!

Comment by Amber on March 27, 2012 at 10:23am

Hello chicken keepers! The city of Cleveland Heights is considering an amendment to the zoning code to allow residents to keep up to 4 hens. There has been some kickback from some residents who have the usual concerns (vermin, noise, smells, etc) I'm a resident and I have written to the mayor and city council about the benefits of keeping backyard chickens and to support the legislation. I encourage you to do the same! Thank you!

Comment by Katie Myers-Griffith on February 24, 2012 at 9:44am

Countryside Conservancy is offering a Ohio Livestock Care Standards discussion with the Ohio Department of Ag on April 10 2012 at 6:00pm Registration Required www.cvcountryside.org or email me kmyers@cvcountryside.org This session is at no cost to you! Join us!

Comment by Sandra Varelmann on February 17, 2012 at 5:37pm

Thought I would share about today's chick experience. Noticed the Ameraucana's crop was huge and very hard three days ago. With research I found the suggestion to feed her bread with oil. No major change. Today I decided it was time for a vet visit. Found one that made a special point to see her on his day off. They were wonderful with her! With work they got half of the impaction out. We watch now. 4 Meds 2-3x's a day. Not sure how that will work??? I'll try. The Dr. was excellent so I want to share that - Dr. Ramsey in Euclid 216-261-2649. Wish me luck to save her.

Comment by Mark DiDonato on February 11, 2012 at 9:04am

Some neighbors and I here on the Near West Side of Cleveland bought 24 chicks from Meyers last June.  We wanted a specific number of specific breeds, and had to wait a month to six weeks.  The chicks were in great health when we got them.  After we raised them and put them in coops, some of us have had some of the chickens die.  I had two of mine die, and my friend also had two die.  However, I think that is par for the course.  We also got two roosters in the group of chicks.  Meyers guarantees correct sexing up to 90%.  Overall, a good experience at Meyers.  Not perfect, but we are talking chickens here.  Remember, "chaos is the law of nature, order, the dream of man". 

Comment by Lisa Carrelli-Kraus on February 9, 2012 at 3:10pm

Agreed about Meyer Hatchery... it's local and not a bad drive at all (under an hour). I also like picking my chicks up directly, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and they have everything you need.
In regards to free ranging only, I will tell you that we have 100 laying hens on 6 acres and it's not enough... these are not wild chickens, they've been domesticated for years and need more calories and protein then they can get foraging. .. you will, however save on feed when letting your ladies range and supplementing with garden waste:) Also if you're looking to mainly free range your girls, breed is something you'll want to consider... some birds just don't forage much at all. I'm a big fan of Dominiques, they're the oldest breed to America and are great foragers and good layers.
check out www.meyerhatchery.com and read the breed characteristics to see what bird best fits your needs. ...and have fun! Whatever breed you end up with, chickens are always entertaining! I am so happy seeing all the cities that are opening up to allow backyard flocks:)

Comment by Laura Weldon on February 9, 2012 at 2:28pm

In reponse to Mellisa Bencivengo and feed. No matter how much your chickens free range, you'll need to supply them with food as well. Our 55 chickens range over many acres and get regular treats of food scraps including whey from cheese-making, garden scraps, bugs from the turned compost pile, and such. They still need layer mix and oyster shell (and kelp to boost their omega 3 ratio if you'd like). Egg production as well as feather-growing are high energy processes.

Comment by Angela Palumbo on February 9, 2012 at 12:50pm

I will be driving to Meyer Hatchery on Feb. 21. If you decide to go that route I could pick them up for you so you wouldn't have to drive as far, I'm in Brunswick. I would also be willing to take any accidental males you end up with. We are picking up a batch of all males to raise for meat. The golden buffs they sell are sex link chicks which means the males look different from the females @ birth. Let me know if I can help in anyway.

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