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Barnyard Buddies:  Am I crazy for wanting chickens?  |
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txbikergirl
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Cindy
Elkhart
TX
USA
46 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 6:44:00 PM
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For some reason I have wanted chickens for years. Never had them, not sure why I want them. I am thinking 2 or 3, just enough to get eggs for my hubby and me and possibly share with mom and dad - and keeping it small makes the clean up manageable.
Anyone with similar thoughts just jump right in? And was it worth it? Anyone found themselves in over their head and found it was a mistake?
We live in the country on a small lake, all 1/2 acre lots. No restrictions against chickens. We have a 1/2 acre, my parents a 1/2 acre, and grandpa an acre... so enough room to roam as we are all side by side. And plenty of space for a little hen house.
Just interested in experiences of others. I figure if I decide to do it I can find all the info I need on breeds, feeding and care, etc.... but this question I didn't see answered anywhere. 
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Bread the Mary Jane Way
- started Mother 6/28/09
- Hodgson Mill Organic unbleached flour
- well water w/ reverse osmosis filter
- feeding twice as much once a day to eliminate excess hooch
- first sourdough loaf 7/25/09 - GREAT!
- using KA bread flour for loafs |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 8:10:51 PM
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I have always loved having chickens, when I was first married and we bought our place, I wanted 100, my husband said ok, boy was I sorry. I thinned them down to a manageable 25 laying hens. Then I wanted meat birds, again, i thought I needed 100, that was alot of butchering and plucking, lol. Now 36 years later, I have 45 laying hens and 3 groups of 75 meat birds, and its not hard at all. Having 3 hens will give you 0 to 3 eggs aday depending on the breed, and whether they lay all year, or slow down and or stop in the heat/cold also depends on the breed. Good Luck
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 8:16:49 PM
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| I absolutely love having chickens and had them even when I lived in town. You will enjoy them so much. I hope you get some soon. |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 02:36:25 AM
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we found that 2 hens provided our family of 5 with more than enough eggs to have for baking and breakfasts and such. we were always sharing eggs with the neighbors/swapping for garden produce and citrus fruit.we gathered 2 eggs a day, which quickly adds up if you aren't baking/cooking with them every day.
we loved our hens and can't wait to get moved and start over again..this time although 2 hens provided us with plenty...we are hoping to have 4 hens the next time around.
We certainly enjoyed the experience, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.net
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 11:57:40 AM
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We had chickens on the farm when I was a kid. I've not had any since and live in the city. I want them in the worst way and I could have 4 except for one thing...sigh. They have a restriction on how far away from the next lot they must be and we're in an older part of town where the lots are closer. Ours is the size of a postage stamp so I can't have them. You'll love having chickens. There is nothing like fresh eggs and chickens can be so sweet and make wonderful pets too. They'll follow you around like a dog if you give them a bit of attention. Have fun!
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 12:29:49 PM
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I have never regretted having chicks, one of the most relaxing things in life is just watching them. Go for it!!!
how sweet it is to love some one, how right itis to care |
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txbikergirl
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Cindy
Elkhart
TX
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 7:07:48 PM
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Thanks for the encouragement ladies! My hubby does think I am a little wacked out about this, but he is supportive and wonderful regardless - the best kind of hubby!
I am doing research now and maybe in 3-12 months i just might bite the bullet and do this!
*********************************************************
Bread the Mary Jane Way
- started Mother 6/28/09
- Hodgson Mill Organic unbleached flour
- well water w/ reverse osmosis filter
- feeding twice as much once a day to eliminate excess hooch
- first sourdough loaf 7/25/09 - GREAT!
- using KA bread flour for loafs |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 7:39:59 PM
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Life with chickens truely is the missing piece of the puzzle. I started my first chick from a science project at school when I was about 8 or 9 years old that went wrong. We had eggs that where to hatch but this egg did not - I felt so bad when the teacher said she was going to throw it out. So when she was not looking I scooped it up and placed it in my sweater. I spent all day carrying it around in the sweater until I got home. With huge tears in my eyes I pleaded with my mother to help this poor unhatched chick. We went to the library, got a book and built an simple lightbulb nest. When EGGIE hatched I was a first time mother and around the clock I took care of him. He was my friend, my baby, my world and that got me started. Now at 50 years old I could not think of my life without a chicken. Maybe it is just me but life without a hen is really not living.
Good luck - we are here to help.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Calico Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Meg
Middle Tennessee
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2009 : 08:49:39 AM
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I'm a science teacher and every spring I hatch bantam chicken eggs with my students. The kids absolutely love this project and for our school fund raising, I donate "Farmer for the Weekend". The parents pay an unbelievable amount of money for the privledge of taking the chicks home on Friday, do "the chores" for the weekend, and return the chicks on Monday morning. (our school is in the middle of a huge metropolitan city). Anyway, every spring when it was time to give the chicks to my farm friend, I missed the chicks worse than the students. So a year ago I kept two of the bantams and I am so happy! I have a chicken tractor in my backyard for "the girls". When I get home from school each day I take the mail or papers to grade and go outside to let the girls out of the tractor to forage and take their sunbaths and dustbaths. I can literally feel my blood pressure drop, headaches dissolve, and I laugh! I didn't expect chickens to have such personality!
Although the bantam eggs are smaller, two chickens are just right for supplying my husband and me with eggs. Good luck Cindy, you will not regret having chickens. |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2009 : 12:06:11 PM
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Cindy, this web site is very helpful if you are just starting out. I think the lady, Gina is frome the UK. It's www.selfsuffcientlife.com the news letter is Keeping Chickens Newsletter.
how sweet it is to love some one, how right itis to care |
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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2009 : 11:18:37 AM
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I want chickens, too, Cindy, only my hubs isn't as understanding. He thinks it's a passing phase. Or that's what he's hoping anyway! But I've wanted them for a couple of years now. I figure I'll just have to bring them home and force the issue. A couple of other farmgirls and I visited Kris a little while back and after lunch, we sat and watched her chickens. Meg's right, they're very stress-relieving. And funny! Some of these farmgirls have some really cute chicken houses, too! You should check them out.
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
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Tanna
True Blue Farmgirl
195 Posts
Tanna
Fort Worth
TX
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2009 : 12:05:13 PM
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I want chickens too. If you're crazy then you're in good company. Seems like we all have or want them. I'm in the city and want 3 or 4. DH thinks I'm crazy. The neighbors can't wait for us to have hens and think it's a great idea. Hopefully we can talk DH into it when things calm down a bit in the spring.
Tanna |
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txbikergirl
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Cindy
Elkhart
TX
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2009 : 5:25:18 PM
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I am glad to know that this crazy chicken wanting gal is in good company!
Thank y'all for sharing, I am enjoying all of the stories so much. They are putting a great big grin on my face as I read them.
I think that the chickens will be a good fit into our life and I look forward to the time that this becomes a reality.
*********************************************************
Bread the Mary Jane Way
- started Mother 6/28/09
- Hodgson Mill Organic unbleached flour
- well water w/ reverse osmosis filter
- feeding twice as much once a day to eliminate excess hooch
- first sourdough loaf 7/25/09 - GREAT!
- using KA bread flour for loafs |
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EastTXFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
731 Posts
Victoria
Farmgirl #549
TX
USA
731 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2009 : 2:19:20 PM
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Chickens are so worth it. Not just for the eggs either they are a blast to watch. Chickens can be pretty funny creatures. Hey and you are just down the road from me. I work in Palestine so we probably know many of the same folks.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2900 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2009 : 2:34:50 PM
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Cindy
You'd be crazy NOT to want chickens |
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txbikergirl
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Cindy
Elkhart
TX
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2009 : 4:30:22 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by EastTXFarmgirl
I work in Palestine so we probably know many of the same folks.
EastTXfarmgirl - it is a small world! i am loving east texas living, going on 4 years now and the life and people are wonderful. i am a native californian, but i married myself a wonderful texan and when my parents saw how beautiful it was out here we all moved to east texas and got out of california as fast as we could!
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Bread the Mary Jane Way
- started Mother 6/28/09
- Hodgson Mill Organic unbleached flour
- well water w/ reverse osmosis filter
- feeding twice as much once a day to eliminate excess hooch
- first sourdough loaf 7/25/09 - GREAT!
- using KA bread flour for loafs |
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Peacebird
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Marianne
Afton
Va
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2009 : 8:25:50 PM
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Chickens are a total hoot! BUT beware!
You start with wanting two or three - WATCH OUT! Soon - before you know it - you have ten or twelve or more... At first a simple 4x4 cube coop seems fine, but then - again - before you know it you have a Coop Deluxe...
Not that this is a BAD thing, it isn't - but just understand - Chickens are Contagious! You get a couple to start and then the itch begins - you just HAVE to have more!
Trust me - I know! LOL!
Farmgirl Sister #661
chickens clucking, bees buzzing, flowers blooming, all is good! |
Edited by - Peacebird on Aug 14 2009 8:26:52 PM |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2009 : 2:52:05 PM
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Hi ladies my hubby and i got chicks in april and we are having a blast with them. They just started laying eggs about three months know, and we get excited every day to see how many they have laid.. We got our grandson into it as well and he tries to go out before us and collect eggs and see how many threw out the day we get. We even get excited about different shapes of eggs. We got the cuties shape today very long looking egg. Would love to send a picture but not sure how.
Worry ends Where Faith in God begins. |
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HeatherAnn
True Blue Farmgirl
187 Posts
Heather
Rancho Cucamonga
CA
USA
187 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2009 : 11:03:40 AM
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a little over a year ago I had my first baby and decided that i'd had quite enough of this city apartment life. I started thinking about chickens and gardens and a cute little Jersey cow and how much fun kids can have with Chickens and a goat. we had a whole slew of animals when I was growing up but it wasn't till i moved out that my mom got chickens for a petting zoo she started. She didn't pay much attention to her chickens and they were in a small area because of her ever changing 10 - 20 (!!!) dogs, but at the petting zoo the chickens were the stars of the whole show! Even my moms really snuggly llama wasn't as well loved as those chickens by all the kids on petting zoo day.
A friend of mine moved out of the country and gave me her copy of MaryJanes Cookbook Lifebook Ideabook. I was so excited that there was a page devoted to chickens. Farmgirl is exactly what I am inspite of my current suburban status, I just didn't know it! And I'm so glad to see this thread, that other ladies feel crazy for wanting chickens. I totally did, for a long time. I'd try to tell my friends here in suburbia that I wanted chickens, and they're eyes would get pretty big!
My husband and I are looking at houses right now in a town that allows chickens, and I am SO EXCITED! I can't wait to put out a coop and a run and a big cozy chair in the shade and watch my goofy little flock forraging in the grass.
And as for my husband, he's quite suburban at heart, but he loves that I'm a little crazy and not afraid to do daring (at least in his eyes) things like being a "Chicken Rancher" to 3-4 chickens! Plus, after wearing my first apron (Thanks to MaryJane's Book), I found out he's a big apron fan :)
::sigh:: hopefully, it'll only be a few more months!
"You got to look at all the good on one side and all the bad on the other and say 'Well, alright then.'" - Aunt Eller, Oklahoma
www.plumblossomknits.etsy.com |
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homsteddinmom
True Blue Farmgirl
441 Posts
Brandee
bullard
tx
USA
441 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2009 : 08:13:21 AM
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Cindy,
Now in east texas i have noticed mine dont lay as well or at all when it is hot. So my experience has been when i had 8 hens laying i got between 4-5 eggs per day. Good luck. Currently i am incubating out Black Jersey Giants. I am not that far from elkart either! I like to come up to the elkart grocery, they have a great meat market in there....lol
Homesteading Mom in East Texas. Raising chickens, Rabbits and goats here on my farm! |
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Barnyard Buddies: Am I crazy for wanting chickens? |
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Am I crazy for wanting chickens?
