Sooo... DH and I had a LONG discussion regarding breeds etc. last night after reading responses to my post. Biggest issue we have with "staying small" is that WA state is stupid. In order to get NPIP certified you must maintain 30 ADULT birds that can be tested every 90 days for AI. So far have not been able to find a work around. <eye roll> they are shooting themselves in the foot and I can tell already that no one wants to talk how not supporting the little guy is going to put them 'underground' which is how epidemics start, but we'll see. Since I want to sell the HRIR eggs/chicks during season to help boost the breed, NPIP is not going to work unless I up the bird count.
Since Bob suggested 6HRIR for breeding purposes, great. Will keep enough extra adult females around to lay for food also, but 30 adults? Why can't we keep a couple more double trios of something else? And send the results that we don't eat to someone who has the space for the rear n cull on a larger scale. (Breeding partner? Mentor? Yep, hunting for local talent... interviewing one soon...)
We currently have 3 large coops, 2 breeding coops, 3 smaller time-out tractors. We rotate who gets to 'range' and am working on making forage frames and also sprouting in large trays for forage. We've kept chickens before, have ALWAYS wanted to farm, but the VA forced us into more house on less land. Work w what you got and within the gov. regulations u got. If we can make a LITTLE bit of money to cover the rent, we can rent more space (about an acre or so) for 200/mo. We'd probably add a mini milk cow at that point also.
So, If the Java's or Dels are going to require me to hatch 100/yr and I can't really cull until they are 6 mos or older, yes, you are right, we can't do that *on our land*. Have been in conversations with Zanna and a local gentleman about Dels... if we can work out an arrangement, FABU! My husband is pushing to skip the other heritage lines and go with Icelandics. That would mean 15 or so adult icelandics on theproperty at a given time. If I could help with something a little more in need, it keeps me more interested. I told them they'd be his problem. I like rescues, what can I say? Sometimes that works out fabulously (my dogs(one deceased at 16), gerbil and cat(deceased at 13) have all been fabulous additions to the family) sometimes things don't work out.
So, like I said, if we have to keep a certain # adults around, any suggestions for ones I could either 1. feel comfortable selling 90% of the progeny or 2. Someone who'd like to keep "spares" here, just in case the unthinkable happens, (which I've seen on threads before) and you might need the genetics back some day! and could mail them anything I don't sell or eat. And, love you Buckeye folks, but, there's enough of you out there, doesn't quite fit the "rescue", and still would like a visual variety (all red and no mottling makes Aleta's chicken yard something something... <ignore obscure movie reference if you don't get it, it's ok)
Alrighty, children calling for breakfast, finally. They sure slept late today...
Since Bob suggested 6HRIR for breeding purposes, great. Will keep enough extra adult females around to lay for food also, but 30 adults? Why can't we keep a couple more double trios of something else? And send the results that we don't eat to someone who has the space for the rear n cull on a larger scale. (Breeding partner? Mentor? Yep, hunting for local talent... interviewing one soon...)
We currently have 3 large coops, 2 breeding coops, 3 smaller time-out tractors. We rotate who gets to 'range' and am working on making forage frames and also sprouting in large trays for forage. We've kept chickens before, have ALWAYS wanted to farm, but the VA forced us into more house on less land. Work w what you got and within the gov. regulations u got. If we can make a LITTLE bit of money to cover the rent, we can rent more space (about an acre or so) for 200/mo. We'd probably add a mini milk cow at that point also.
So, If the Java's or Dels are going to require me to hatch 100/yr and I can't really cull until they are 6 mos or older, yes, you are right, we can't do that *on our land*. Have been in conversations with Zanna and a local gentleman about Dels... if we can work out an arrangement, FABU! My husband is pushing to skip the other heritage lines and go with Icelandics. That would mean 15 or so adult icelandics on theproperty at a given time. If I could help with something a little more in need, it keeps me more interested. I told them they'd be his problem. I like rescues, what can I say? Sometimes that works out fabulously (my dogs(one deceased at 16), gerbil and cat(deceased at 13) have all been fabulous additions to the family) sometimes things don't work out.
So, like I said, if we have to keep a certain # adults around, any suggestions for ones I could either 1. feel comfortable selling 90% of the progeny or 2. Someone who'd like to keep "spares" here, just in case the unthinkable happens, (which I've seen on threads before) and you might need the genetics back some day! and could mail them anything I don't sell or eat. And, love you Buckeye folks, but, there's enough of you out there, doesn't quite fit the "rescue", and still would like a visual variety (all red and no mottling makes Aleta's chicken yard something something... <ignore obscure movie reference if you don't get it, it's ok)
Alrighty, children calling for breakfast, finally. They sure slept late today...
