| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FARMALLChick |
Posted - Mar 27 2015 : 8:34:42 PM
I have a problem. It's small, fuzzy and cute as heck. Baby chickens. It is so, so hard for me to go to the farm store and not be tempted to buy a couple more (minimum 6 according to their rules). That's to keep people from buying 1 or 2 for Easter then dumping them.
I seriously have an issue though. We went in last week and bought 20 white chicks in partial fledge for half price. They had nearly 100, but I resisted and only bought 20. BUT I also bought 4 bantams. Why - cuz they are so adorable.
Then, my husband made a package deal at another store for 32 ducks and the 300 gal tank they were housed in. Luckily we sold all the ducks and made a profit on top of it. We were going to buy a new stock tank anyway -so that is justifiable, right? But, it's in use until the white chicks fledge and the temps warm up. That's when we'll release the birds into the flock, then clean and disinfect the tank, let it sit in the sun for a few days then fill that sucker up.
THEN, we went to the same farm store a few days later and I bought 10 more chicks in various colors and breeds. I can't help myself.
Because THEN I ordered 26 more from a hatchery that will be here in April.
OMG - I need to stop. Really - I do. It's not that I don't have the room - we have 18 acres and a pretty good sized hen house. Most of the adult chickens roost with the goats anyway. They also run in the barn yard with some of the horses and goats.
We blend our own feed, so that's not an issue. The issue is I am the crazy chicken, horse, dog, cat, goat lady. At least that's what my family calls me.
We do butcher some of the chickens - roosters especially. We sell eggs.
How do I stop? I can't stop going to the farm store - I need stuff. At this time I have a cardboard box in my sewing room with a heat lamp, water, feed and about 20 babies. I have to keep them in there because I can close the door and keep the house herd (dogs and cats) out.
Another rationalization is that I will never, ever run out of manure for composting. Tee hee.
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway" -John Wayne
www.farmallchick.blogspot.com www.farmallchickphotos.blogspot.com |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Mar 29 2015 : 11:04:23 AM
HI Carol, thanks for the encouragement!! The problem is that we are gone up to 3 weeks at a time and often take other week long trips in between. Some months we can be gone more than we are home so it gets to be more complicated than for a few days or just once in a while for a longer trip. My husband has gypsy dust on his shoes and I like to tag along most of the time. LOL!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
| ceridwen |
Posted - Mar 29 2015 : 06:25:19 AM
Winnie, when we leave for a weekend, we get our next door neighbor's kids to collect the eggs and make sure everything is well. They (the kids) love it - they get to keep the eggs. I never asked the girls (chickens) how they feel about it! lol
Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
http://www.carolesquiltingetc.com
http://www.fibrejunction.com |
| cajungal |
Posted - Mar 29 2015 : 06:24:41 AM
Winnie, it wouldn't be that hard to leave them in the coop for a few days. You'd just have to make sure you give them enough water and food. A 1 gallon waterer should be enough for 4 hens for a weekend. And a self feeder would do the job, too. If you're going to be gone longer you'd have to bump up to the 5 gallon waterer and at least 2 feeders. So, DO IT! Get you 4 hens and give them cute names.
As a side note, a risk for the longer stay away is that a hen may decide to peck an egg and then they all become egg eaters. That's not bad for them, but bad for you because you won't have any eggs. It's hard to break the habit after it starts. You have to be quick about gathering eggs before they peck.
The tea packages....I looked at my receipt and I sent them on the 19th. I can't believe it's taking this long. I'm so sorry!! It'll be really sad if y'all get your March packages after your April packages.
Catherine
Sister #76 (2005)
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt.
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Mar 29 2015 : 05:24:33 AM
I am a chicken wanna be! Our city limit is 4 hens but my hubby just can't get sold on the idea. We travel a lot and he thinks it would be hard to make sure that they were cared for when we are gone. Waaaaaa! When I see these adorable hen houses that are pictured on Girl Gab, I want to march out to the Feed Store and just do it! But, I know I would attach to them and then be so sad if they died when I was on a trip somewhere. I am still trying to figure out a strategy, so stay tuned.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
| texdane |
Posted - Mar 28 2015 : 4:17:20 PM
LOL! I love this...
I know how you feel. But I still have only a flock of four. How, you ask? How is it I manage such amazing self control?
By steering very clear away from any and all farm stores! ;)
OMG if I walk into one now, I will have a flock of forty, I just know it.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
| cajungal |
Posted - Mar 28 2015 : 06:40:55 AM
Sara, hahaha! I love it that you tell yourself the limit is 3. That is funny and yet very smart.
Catherine
Sister #76 (2005)
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt.
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Mar 28 2015 : 06:35:57 AM
Lora and Catherine I love the way you own up to your addictions and keep telling yourselves y'all are only going to look at the feathery wee yellow fluffs of joy.
I have my three chicks and each day I more attached to them. I have a very small back yard so three will be my limit. If I do weaken and think I can squeeze in one more the city of Paris has a chicken limit so they will keep me in check. I don't know their limit ~ don't want to know because that would give me an out ~ I just keep on telling myself their limit is 3.
Sara
FarmGirl Sister #6034 Aug 25, 2014
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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| cajungal |
Posted - Mar 28 2015 : 06:13:17 AM
My name is Catherine and I have the same awful yet wonderful problem.
When 'Chick Days' is going on at Tractor Supply, I walk in the doors, hear that sweet cheep melody and I am mesmerized. I hypnotically walk directly to the pens and have a desire to have them all. Currently, I have an order of 50 various pullets due to arrive in April. I have bought 5-10 chicks 3 different times that I've walked into TS.
Like you, I needed a stock tank. The size I needed was sold out at my local TS. I called other area TS and they were out, too. Man, everyone must need the same tank that I do. A TS over an hour away had ONE left. I hop in my truck and drive there. I walk in the doors and WHACK, that melodic cheep song hits me. I fight the urge to go look at the babies because I am there to buy the last tank they have. I am on a mission. I buy the tank, get it loaded and GO BACK into the store just to LOOK at the babies. As I'm walking toward the tanks of babies, I keep telling myself I'm only going to look. I think you know how this story is going to end....I bought 6 ducklings.
You asked how to stop. I ask you, why stop? The pros outweigh the cons. So, Lora, 'Chick On'! They're like potatoe chips, you can't have just one.
Catherine
Sister #76 (2005)
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt.
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