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Baby Chickens for Sale in Blandford, Massachusetts

Baby Chickens for Sale in Blandford, Massachusetts

State warns backyard chicken farmers of salmonella risk

From Getty Images

OLYMPIA – For many, raising chickens has become a popular pastime, but now experts are warning of a Salmonella risk.

Springtime is normally when people become infected with salmonella. That’s because they buy chicks, ducklings and other live poultry, and then handle them without washing their hands afterwards. The cute little creatures can harbor bacteria like Salmonella.

“Many people enjoy raising chickens but might not know that all poultry, even birds that appear clean and healthy, may carry bacteria called Salmonella,” Kathy Lofy, interim state health officer for the Department of Health said. “While it’s fun for families to get baby birds, the bacteria they shed can make people sick. This is especially true for young children, who account for the largest proportion of live poultry-related Salmonella cases.”

Last year, 19 people in Washington were part of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella illness associated with handling live poultry. Thirteen of the cases were children under the age of 10. Nationally, more than 500 illnesses from at least 39 states were linked to Salmonella outbreaks related to live poultry, including those kept in backyard flocks.

Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually last several days. Severe cases may require hospitalization and can result in death.

Baby Chickens for Sale in Blandford 
MA

Baby Chickens Food in Blandford, Massachusetts

We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Blandford Massachusetts, including Sussex Chickens, Welsummer Chickens, Turken Chickens and more. Be sure to check out the Bargain Specials, as you can combine different egg layers in smaller amounts and buy as an assortment. Blandford Massachusetts also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in Blandford Massachusetts, bantams for sale, ducks for sale, geese for sale, turkeys for sale, guinea for sale, peafowl for sale, pheasant for sale, chukar partridge for sale, bobwhite for sale, many different breeds of baby chicks for sale in Blandford MA.

Baby Chicks Types in Blandford, Massachusetts

Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Blandford Massachusetts catalog is a yearly traditions in many houses. My kids and I eagerly await the Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog. We love looking at all the cool and different chicken breeds available. Catalogs are free so head on over to their site and request one if you are interested. Baby Chickens for Sale in Blandford 
MATypically hatcheries online offer both standard breeds and bantams. Bantams are fun hardy little chickens, they lay tiny eggs that kids especially love collecting. Bantams typically weigh less than 2 pounds when full grown. Just like ordering anything online there are pros and cons to ordering baby chicks online. Pros of buying baby chicks in Blandford Massachusetts * Big Selection - If you are wanting a large variety of different chicken breeds and egg colors, you will find the best selection at an online hatchery. * Both Bantams and full sized chickens available * You get to choose what sex you want. If you want a mixture of both male and female then choosing a "straight run" will save you money and you will get a mixture of male and female chicks. You can also choose all males or all females too. * Weekly specials. Hatcheries have sales on chicks, you are likely to get a good deal if you are flexible with the breeds you are wanting. Cons of buying baby chicks in Blandford Massachusetts * Order early to get the best selection. Certain breeds sell out fast, sometimes as early as 6 months in advance of shipping! If you are wanting a certain breed it's best to order your chicks in the fall before their orders sell out.

Baby Chickens 101 in Blandford, Massachusetts

Quantity - you must order a certain number of chicks. Typically hatcheries will require you buy a minimum of 25 chicks at a time. The number is necessary for the chicks survival during shipping. All 25 chicks are put in one small box without heat. They are crowded in the box and produce enough body heat to arrive in good shape. * The wait - If you choose to buy chicks from a feed store you will have them the same day but if you choose to go with a hatchery you have to wait until they are ready to ship and then wait for the chicks to arrive. Ordering baby chicks online in Blandford Massachusetts is easy and has always been a very pleasant experience of me. It can be a little frustrating waiting for the chicks but it's so worth the wait. When the post office calls and you hear all those little "cheeps" or "chirps" in the background you'll know the wait was worth it! How to Care for your new baby chickens in Blandford, Massachusetts Baby chicks are quite cute and challenging to withstand, however it's ideal to prepare for their arrival before you get them. Prepare first by gathering not only the correct materials, but also the proper knowledge to look after them. Raising baby chicks is relatively simple, you just have to offer them with the following: A clean and warm habitat Plenty of food as well as water Interest as well as love Habitat Your habitat can be an easy box, aquarium, cat service provider, or guinea pig cage. Line it with old towels and also coverings (without any loosened strings!) to begin, and after a couple of weeks use straw over paper. Keep in mind: Avoid making use of just newspaper or other slipper surface areas-- or your chicks legs could expand misshapen. You also need something to dish out food as well as water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water recipe from the feed shop, or a pickle jar cover for food and also a family pet bird water dispenser from an animal store. Likewise, as the chicks grow older you could present a perch into the environment to obtain them educated on perching. Heat To maintain your chicks heat you have to offer them with a heat source. This could be as easy as a 100 watt light bulb in a reflective clamp design lamp from a hardware store, or an infrared reptile warmth light bulb also function extremely well (my referral). Chicks require this heat 24/7 until their downy fluff is replaced with plumes (which could take up to two months). The freshly hatched require a temperature level between 90 and 100 degrees, as well as each week this can be reduced by roughly 5 degrees or so. The heat resource should get on simply one side of the cage to allow chicks a variety of temperature levels. The chicks are your best thermostat- if they are hiding in the other edge of your heat lamp, you have to lower the temperature. If they are surrounding each various other under the warmth (not merely curling up), you should add some heat. Home cleaning Sanitation is essential and also it maintains your chicks healthy and balanced. Make sure to change the bed linen usually and always supply tidy food as well as water Food as well as water. Chicks grow quite quickly which calls for lots of clean food and also water. Supply sufficient at all times as well as inspect typically to avoid dehydrated and also starving chicks. Chick food is various compared to grown-up chicken food, as well as it can be found in both medicated and also non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the very first two months, after that switch to a grower food (~ 17 % healthy protein) for one more 2 months, and then to a somewhat lower healthy protein feed or a level feed (if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks prefer to get a head start on taking filth bathrooms, while others will not occupy that task up until they are older. If you have the area in your chick room, present a tray of sand or dirt for them to shower in. Attention as well as love There are a few benefits to spending time with your chicks. First of all, they will more than likely bond with you and not run away as adults. Second, if you analyze your chicks daily and also watch their behavior, you could capture health problem or various other problems earlier. Watch out for hissing, limping, or various other undesirable indications. Make sure to additionally consider their poop, as looseness of the bowels could bring about matted feathers as well as stopped up cloaca. Last but not least, it is important to keep an eye out for social issues, such as the smallest chick obtaining teased. Vacant nest disorder So your chicks are now totally feathery as well as its time for them to leave the safety of your house and also relocate outside into a coop. Check out our area on chicken cages to find out more concerning cages and proper coop habitats.
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