| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| missusprim |
Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 08:09:28 AM
I'm still thinking of raising a few chickens for eggs........but hubbies argument is the cost of feed, etc. and if it'd be worth it just for fresh eggs.
We have a small outbuilding (it's been painted since this pic) that we're not using that just begs to be made into a coop. Pic below. Anyone think this is doable?
Also, I will say upfront that I'm squeamish about having these cuties wind up on my dinner table - let alone how to 'make that happen.' So, if they'd be just for fresh eggs....would it be worth it?
Also, I want my daughter to learn about raising chicks and the care of them just as farm girls do!
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://onceinnabluemoon.blogspot.com/
|
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| missusprim |
Posted - Apr 25 2011 : 07:29:25 AM
I'm still researching. Going one step at a time so I can do this the correct way right from the get go. I'm glad I'm doing it this way as I'm finding that this isn't something that you 'wing it' as you do. Originally I was going to just modify our existing outbuilding for a coop, but then discovered (while doing research) it'd be a wiser choice for us to have a chicken tractor to move around our yard. I think the chickens would be happier. So - I'm now looking at one website called Backyard Chickens (FABULOUS website, BTW!) that has loads of designs, pictures, etc. on anything you can imagine - from simple as can be to the cutest darn coops (houses, more like it) that one can imagine.
And then there's the chicks themselves. I could go locally to our co-op or Tractor Supply Co. etc. to get them - but I know zilch about what to look for, and I don't want to get a surprise down the line (a rooster, perhaps).
As for the designs, I love the idea of having a 'hatch' in the back of the coop behind the nesting boxes for easy egg removal and cleaning. I like the idea of having a way to easily clean their poo from the coop bottom - maybe with a wire floor (but I'm hesitating on that one as I would think that wouldn't be too comfortable on their little feet. Yeah, simple for me to clean but what about THEM?). Maybe a removable tarp? And then there's the bedding. I like the thick bedding that some talk about that doesn't require daily cleanup - but I would think that would get awfully stinky as you're just layering poo upon poo upon poo......
So, these are my thoughts so far. And another thing, I'm thinking I'm going to have to have a compost bin behind the barn for said poo so we can use it 'later' for our garden. So that is yet another issue......what kind to build!
Farmgirl Sister #2984
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://farmchicatheart.blogspot.com/
|
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Apr 18 2011 : 9:24:08 PM
Does anyone have a favorite poultry mail order company they can reccomend? I'm kinda particular about my breeds and there aren't a whole lot of chicken or duck people in my area to get them local.
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| sherrye |
Posted - Apr 16 2011 : 07:19:44 AM
well karen, i must have been tired last night. i said susan. so sorry gads. anyway there is one thing you could do to help protect them is a piece for tarp along the line where the two properties border. i make my own privacy fencing. one year our neighbor sprayed round up on a windy day. i lost a summer garden. so now i have a brown tarp cut to fir my fence. i bought oversize tarps and cut to fit. then i grommet the cut sides. we use zip ties. i tried wire to hook to fence. the wind made the wire rub. it cut right through the metal grommet over time. i put a grommet every 2 feet. there is a 6 foot fence with this on it noiw. it will stop wind drift of his chemicals. not perfect but surely a make do. it will help protect you and your yard of overspray and wind drift. i so enjoy your posts. have you gotten your chicks yet? happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
| sherrye |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 10:05:45 PM
susan i am so sorry i have not been on here. i have been crazy busy. tomorrow i can answer your questions. so sorry. and yes coffee grounds and raw potatoes are hard for chickens to digest. did you get your chicks? happy days for you sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
| missusprim |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 8:06:25 PM
Whoo hoo! Went to my parents and they gave me a galvanized container (think smallish lidded garbage can) that I'm going to keep my chicken feed in. I may spray paint it to give it a cutesie look beings it's going to be outside all the time. And, because we have critters, it's got a handle on the lid and handles on the sides so I can secure it shut somehow.
They also gave me an old sled with runners on it that will surely look purty on our porch this winter. (Ew......I shudder to even THINK of that word after what the last 5 months were like!) And I came home with a spreader, too. It doesn't look the best but I'm sure it'll get the job done.
Thanks Mom and Dad!
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://farmchicatheart.blogspot.com/
|
| missusprim |
Posted - Apr 07 2011 : 7:06:43 PM
Sherry, I got the Storey book at the library today as well as the one about backyard chickens. Daughter, based on a few comments, is kind of warming up to the idea of having some feathered friends. DH has resigned himself to the idea too, but wants to clarify that he's a SUBURBAN boy rather than a city boy. Tee hee!
Also saw on a website how I can make inexpensive feeders and waterer's out of 5 gallon containers. Cool thing is, DH can get loads of them from work. Yeah! I actually have one in the barn that I was saving for my homemade laundry detergent. Unfortunately, it's taking forever and a day to use up our store bought Gain detergent so it'll be awhile for that.
But I worry about cold weather. Here in Ohio we had a VERY cold one, and I just don't know how they'd fare?
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://onceinnabluemoon.blogspot.com/
|
| coloquilter |
Posted - Apr 06 2011 : 12:22:34 AM
Hi Karen
I am just finishing my first year with chickens. I hatched them with my grandson. Out of 12, 9 made it through the first year. Most of mine are black australorp and are very good layers. From 6 hens I can usually count on 4 eggs a day. That's enough to supply both my household and my daughter with fresh eggs.I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed the chickens.
I am not sure they are any cheaper than store bought,but they are sure much better.
During the winter I grew sprouts and wheat grass for them. I also watched the reduced produce for greens. I think my layers are safe but considering raising some meat birds too
Susan |
| missusprim |
Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 09:19:18 AM
Oooooh, I'll be sure to keep the feed in something mouse proof! Thanks for the heads up Sherry.
I'm going to go ahead and get a few chicks by this weekend. Am also going to see about getting some books from the library on them, or see what all I need just to start with.
But, I have another question/concern that the books might not cover: Will the sprays that our local farmer uses on his crops harm our little friends? Or their eggs and our eating them? Their coop will be about 25 ft. from the surrounding field that will be corn this year (yeah! more privacy!) and I hope to also move them around the yard in a portable enclosure so they get some fresh grass.
And as far as giving them table scraps - is there anything they won't/can't or shouldn't eat?
I'm AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!! I'm going to have to take some pictures.
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://onceinnabluemoon.blogspot.com/
|
| sherrye |
Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 07:27:06 AM
i thought i would mention too, i was going through a lot of feed till i figured out the mice were eating it too. i am allergic to cats. so i always have mice challenges.this time of year i have to fight the mice population or i spend way too much on feed. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
| Tammyb |
Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 06:18:26 AM
keep researching and then I hope you can "go for it" !!
We have a small flock of 20 and sell the eggs until fall then we
start hoarding them for the winter months.
Tammyb
Live to leave a legacy
|
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 04 2011 : 07:26:03 AM
I had some new chicks out in the milkroom several years ago in a brooder. I had 25 Barred rock and 25 of something else I can't remember right now. SO I had them in 2 different brooders with screen on the top. One day I went in to feed them and it looked like a chick massecre. It was horrible. I think I lost over half of them. And I do believe it was one of my cats that did it. He was still in there. So ever since I have kept them in the laundry room. I have 6 cats now. But when the chicks are bigger, they don't bother them. And when I have a hen that hatches chicks, nothing messes with the chicks.
And I seem to be using up a 50 pound bag of scratch in about 1 1/2 weeks now. It's the turkeys that are eating so much. Because they are in coops and not outside. That makes a big difference. So I have got to make some runs for them if I am going to keep them.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| missusprim |
Posted - Apr 03 2011 : 7:16:46 PM
Lots of good ideas, Cris. Even though our basement is heated, I'd feel much better keeping them up here where I can keep tabs on them (where my daughter can keep peeking at them when I'm not looking and try to pretend that they're just ugly little things). I think I can come up with something similar to what you had that would work in keeping even my big 16 lb.'boy' orange tiger Pumpkin from getting at them. I don't think he'd eat them, just play with them. Again, most would be just curious but my barn cat probably will have that hunting instinct in her for a good long time.
I was tempted to check out the local co-op while coming home from the store today. But I don't have the set up for them......yet!
BTW, this woman was even telling me how to butcher them in the most humane way. Of course, I scowled in horror through her telling me about it, but she was adamant in getting it through to me that if it's not done right they'll suffer. Yikes, still not sure if I can do it......if at all!
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://onceinnabluemoon.blogspot.com/
|
| chickenladycris |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 6:40:18 PM
Karen, I have lots of cats too. I worried that they would eat my tiny chicks, and I don't have a basement (well, I have a ultra-scary, horror-movie-waiting-to-happen-dirt-cellar-thingie) so I had to get creative. Lucky me, the previous owners of the house I bought never threw anything away (hooray for farmer folk!) and I found a giant old window screen that fit just perfectly over my giant rubbermaid tub serving as a brooder. I set the tub on top of my crafty room desk (which is a large hallway, really), suspended the heat lamp from the ceiling (but a clamp one on a 2x4 would've worked too, come to think of it), stuck the screen over the tub and weighed down a couple corners with chunks of broken bricks from a path my dogs dug up. I did have some interest in the peeping box of wonders, but no one got eaten and nothing got knocked off. When the chicks were big and moved outdoors, I did have a couple of cats get too close...and then they got HAMMERED by the chickens' hard beaks, and now avoid them like the plague. The dogs, however, are in a fenced portion of the yard away from the chicken run (drooling over the fence does happen on occasion...) Anyway, hiding them away safely in the basement sounds like a great plan, but having backup measures is always a good idea, too!
Go get those chicks, now. 
"A farmgirl can never have enough chickens!"--me |
| missusprim |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 4:47:04 PM
Am still thinking, and talking to lots of people. I love animals and think that, even though they're 'just' chickens, they still deserve the proper care so I want to do this right. More people than not think I'm off my rocker, but I really do want to try this and see how it goes. Worst case scenario I can give them to a local farmer who also raises chickens.
Cris, I sooooo like your attitude! Yeah, dogs or any outside critter can get to smellin' but then so can we humans!
Another concern of mine is that we have 5 indoor cats that are awfully curious, one was very recently a barn cat that'd probably take the most 'interest' in my little feathered friends. So, I'm thinking that I'd have to keep them in the basement so they're kept apart from our kitties.
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://onceinnabluemoon.blogspot.com/
|
| chickenladycris |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 6:02:26 PM
Honey, you gotta get yourself some chickens.
Seriously, chickens stink no worse that what some humans do in the restroom after a good meal at a the best Mexican joint in town. And their feed? Less than the cost of that good meal at the Mexican joint.
Hee hee! Honestly, I just hate it when people say "oh ewwww. Don't chickens stink?" well, so do dogs in the backyard, but we don't sneer at our friendly pups, do we?? I've had chickens for the past four years here on my 3/4 acre farm. My neighbors don't mind (I do believe that the free eggs and occasional roaster for their freezer helps), and in fact send their grand-children over to visit all the time. There have been zero complaints of smell or chicken noise--in fact, the ONLY animal related neighbor visit was when one grumpy old man came to complain about my cat...but it wasn't one of mine causing the problem. Ha ha!
As long as you make the chicken house secure from predators (sturdy wire and doors that shut tight at night do the trick) and have a secure run area (well, if you have close neighbors that is a MUST), chickens are very easy to maintain. Their feed is very inexpensive. I make my own mix, out of a 50 lb bag of layer crumble, a 50 lb bag of scratch grains, and a bag (don't know how much that one weighs) of crushed oyster shell, stir it into two large garbage tins, and it lasts me a good couple of months for my 6 layer hens. Feeders and waterers cost a bit at the beginning, but no more than $10 or so a piece at a good feed store in your town.
I also raise meat birds, which grow very fast and are butchered at 6-7 weeks old. They go through a lot more feed, but if that isn't your intent with raising backyard chickens, you don't even have to worry about those costs!
Another thing to consider, if you will be starting with day old chicks, you need to invest in gear for your brooder set-up (like, a heat lamp, special little waterer and feeder,etc), and decide where your brooder will be. I keep mine in a shed near to the house, but it is insulated a bit and keeps very warm. If you are only going to do a few chicks, starting them in a large box in a spare room is a great option. If you need book ideas, feel free to send me an email. I teach the occasional backyard chicken class! cris.cantin@yahoo.com
"A farmgirl can never have enough chickens!"--me |
| ChickieMama |
Posted - Mar 27 2011 : 11:48:56 PM
That shed looks perfect for a chicken house!!! I belong to backyardchickens.com it is a great site that is all about caring for chickens. I have 30 chickens and I sell my eggs for $3.00 dozen. People love free range chicken eggs! When you have time check out my blog...have fun!
Farmgirl Sister#2808
"Happy Hens make Happy Eggs"
http://lazyjoranch.blogspot.com
http://etsy.com/shop/lazyjoranch
|
| missusprim |
Posted - Mar 27 2011 : 6:09:08 PM
Been doing more research. I hear differing opinions from "Oh?" to "Really? Chickens can really stink!" I think the it's the people who have a farming background will get the first reaction, and the city girls that I get the latter comment from! My coworker and her hubby are also going to try raising some chickens too, so it'll be interesting.
Had and interesting conversation with my grown kids this afternoon about chickens. Son didn't think a chicken could lay an egg without the 'help' from a rooster. He also knows me well enough to know that each and every one of them are going to have names and be treated as pets.
Daughter wants nothing to do with them, but I think when she sees how cute they are she'll have a different outlook on them.
Read a good article in the magazine called Cappors (sp.) on chickens. Some pictures of portable 'pens' so they can be moved about the yard. Thankfully we don't lack in space for them to moved around to, and the structure didn't look too difficult to build.
A few good links in this magazine that I haven't had the time to check out yet so I'll have to get online tomorrow to see what I can dig up.
You ladies rock and have so many good ideas, hints, tips and advice!
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://onceinnabluemoon.blogspot.com/
|
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 11:24:18 PM
I bought fruit tree netting to put over the run area of my chickens to keep the hawks out in 3 yrs no bird has gotten to them......& yes they need the dirt to scratch around in plus have their dust bathes to get rid of mites.....they will have any grass gone quicker than you can blink but they will be happy to dig around looking for wardward bugs & get the grit they need to work their gizzard good & strong. If you decide against a run area but have them free range make little dog house like boxes in open areas so if a hawk shows up they have a safe area to run to..... I have a childrens plastic playhouse & one of those 2 piece dog houses that I flipped the bottom half over so they have 2 little areas to run into as well....I had to laugh about the tomatoes....I am a big fresh tomato eater so I understand that comment....with my hubby gone this year my main garden is being given to the chickens...I am planting lettuces, greens ect for them in it but will have a few tomato plants for me...I still have tons of vegs canned & frozen to eat up so I thought I would give them a nice garden of their own.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
| amomfly |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 6:26:43 PM
Tara, that is a great blog!
I will only add that chcikens are the best! I love watching them, eating their eggs and them too! It is an awesome thing!
Good luck!
Come visit my blog
http://angieruralliving.blogspot.com/
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
| Sweet_Tea |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 4:49:34 PM
Karen, I don't think you need the cement pad... Make that into a grape arbor :) Plus chickens like to scratch around in the dirt..
So I would let them have a dirt bottom. I have been noticing my girls are digging around and laying in the dirt. I would put a roof over it, I heard a hawk hit the side of my coop one day, and the girls started squalling.. I was like ooooh no good. But, the hawks haven't gotten in so personally I think it is a good idea.
I'm going to start some wheat and put it in the coop with the girls.
And thank y'all for the compliments on my blog I really appreciate them :)
~ http://notsosweettea.blogspot.com/
"The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears"
|
| sherrye |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 08:00:16 AM
wow what a blog that is. you are my mentor. i have a blog. i need to make it work. have no idea what i am doing yet. i want to tell farm stories too. well later i can post about the worms. i need to feed belle. do you have a tractor. you could pull the building with it. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 07:45:39 AM
Yes, chikens eat grass. And they will have their coop area stripped down to dirt in a matter of weeks. But they need all the green grass and bugs to make the yolks so orangey reddish. Otherwise thrie yolks look like store bought eggs. My turkeys are penned up inside and don't get grass so their yplks are pale yellow. I have been throwing them grass every day now. I will be letting them out some.
I wish I could catch all my chickens and pen them up during garden season. Those stinkin' birds will eat everything they can. I can't put out little cabbage or broccoli because they will eat the little leaves. And ripe tomatoes? I will be killing some chickens if I see them in my tomatoes this year. So there are lots of things to think about either wya you do it.
And if you have them penned and you have hawks, then yes, put a wire top over their outside area.
Tara, I love your blog too. It's on my list of other farm blogs now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| SheilaC |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 07:10:57 AM
Sherrye, would you tell more about your redworm operation? Very interesting. . .
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
|
| missusprim |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 06:48:23 AM
Sweettea, your blog is a hoot! 'Course, I gotta follow it now beings you're a newbie at raising some clucks.
Hubby just doesn't know what he's missing. I bought a dozen eggs from a coworker of mine from chickens raised by her SIL. I cooked with them, and there is NO comparison as to how much thicker the shells were, and the yolks seemed to be so much darker. He, being a guy, didn't see this little nugget of info so he just doesn't see the appeal.
But some questions for you or anyone: We have a lot of hawks in the area, so would it be wise to also cover the top of their open area with chicken wire as well? And do they also eat grass or do we have to mow inside the wire area as well? And speaking of mowers, do they bother them? Is it too late to start?
Below is a pic of another outbuilding that's destined to be torn down, and me thinks it'd be pretty easy to recycle some of that wood for a coop...... It's on a concrete slab (but it's cracked) and I'd love to somehow (any ideas anyone) put the one I'd like the chicken coop in over onto it. They're about 20 feet apart. I thought of cutting apart a phone pole we took down and 'walking or rolling' it over there. Anyway, it's a hideous site to see when you're coming down our road - and I want that thing DOWN!
One more thing........hubby just bought me a Kitchenaid stand mixer (below) so I don't think he'd complain too much if I cranked some goodies (with eggs, of course) with it.
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot
http://onceinnabluemoon.blogspot.com/
|
| Sweet_Tea |
Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 9:07:25 PM
That building is perfect to make a coop with. Look around that big old barn I'm sure you can find supplies to use. That's what I did when I made my coop. I just bought some 2x4s and some chicken wire and that was it.. all in all it costed me like 80 bucks to build the last one i built. but I scavenge around my farm and re-use wood and I used an old feed trough as the nesting box.
be careful of that old wood.. it's harder then pine knots! I bent a ton of nails trying to nail into it.. then this past time, I bought screws, much much easier with dewalt in your hand!
I have 6 hens right now and 6 chicks. The hens on average eat a 50lb bag of laying crumbles every 2 - 2.5 weeks. I bought pellets for them the past bag and they hated them, so I bought crumbles again, but its only like 12 bucks a bag. and I get 5 eggs a day, One of the hens isn't quite 5 months yet. 5 eggs a day is more then we can eat, so you can sell farm fresh eggs to people for 2 bucks a dozen and make a little bit off of them. I don't do that.. because I just make quiches and frittatas or deviled eggs to use them up.
but, I eat 2 eggs for breakfast every morning.
I love having chickens.. they are a highlight of my morning.. And tell your husband that homegrown eggs have half the cholesterol than store bought eggs. Don't quote me on that but a friend told me that last week.
I wouldn't want my chickens to end up on the table either...... I hate the thought of eating the cows we raise.. I get attached to a few of them, They don't go to the butcher! I'd rather sell them at the sale and imagine them in a nice pasture somewhere else rather than on my dinner plate..
~ http://notsosweettea.blogspot.com/
"The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears"
|
|
|
