Recent content by fluttervale

  1. fluttervale

    Breed Suggestions?

    We are planning to start a farm in about 18 months. I'd like to get into showing large fowl as well, but have a few requirements and am hoping that y'all can help me narrow down my breeds. I've been in dogs for years but boyfriend is allergic so I'm switching to livestock. Plus, you know...
  2. fluttervale

    How To Train Your Dog Not To Kill Chickens

    "so all I would have to do with my puppy is go out with her and tell her no with the chickens everyday?" Somewhat. You want to teach her a "leave it" command that applies to WHATEVER you tell her to leave. "Leave it" means "you may not have whatever it is that you want." So in my house, it...
  3. fluttervale

    Savings in bulk?

    You can take a base that is the same and then mix-in to customize. For example, the pigs can be fed the same base feed as the chickens, then you add other things that they need to their diet. It's similar to doing BARF for dogs & cats. You can feed them both a rabbit carcass, for example, and...
  4. fluttervale

    Savings in bulk?

    I'm planning on a system where about a ton of feed lasts about 2 months. We would theoretically also have at least a steer, a cow, and two or more pigs as well. I was planning on fermenting the chicken feed as I think that would create less waste and have read that it saves 20-35% or so...
  5. fluttervale

    Savings in bulk?

    Just curious as the Internet is not always specific. If it matters, I'm in Michigan, USA. - Does anyone know what percent Tractor Supply (TSC) discounts if you buy a whole pallet of bagged food? - About how much does a ton of decent feed cost at a mill? I know this is one of those "your...
  6. fluttervale

    giant wingspan birds... are they a danger?

    This website might help you figure out what you saw: http://identify.whatbird.com/
  7. fluttervale

    Goose standing around, not grazing or moving--update she's ALIVE

    Can you offer to buy her? $20 or so? Maybe they'd be willing to sell her, since she's a domestic breed. Though she probably wouldn't like being separated from her mate.
  8. fluttervale

    Please help me understand meat eaters not wanting to process a chicken!

    Just wanted to contribute to the OP's original post. I want to get into farming because I want to be able to support my friends & family. I don't want the people I care about to have to choose between groceries and the electric bill. I also was in dogs for years before starting to date a man...
  9. fluttervale

    My Dog Carried Hen Away

    That's great--and was probably the hardest thing for me to teach either of the Labradors! They all want to spit it out as soon as you reach for it because they know you're going to take it, but when you're trying to take a still-live animal from them then it gets away. I used a clicker and...
  10. fluttervale

    My Dog Carried Hen Away

    My Dad's Labrador brings him a new baby birdie about every week this time of year. Not a feather ruffled. A good retriever shouldn't hurt a bird, even if it is alive. Might work on training for a proper retrieve as it might be a handy trick as he'll at least bring it to you.
  11. fluttervale

    Chicken Inbreeding?

    You will not end up with four-legged chickens or anything odd. You simply get what you put in. If one of them grows up and is weak, malformed, etc. you simply cull (do not use for breeding--either eat it or sell it or otherwise prevent breeding) and don't use that. I once read a breeding...
  12. fluttervale

    Apartments & Root Cellars?

    I live in a 625 sq ft apartment and would desperately like to store root veggies over the winter. I'm expecting roughly 50 pounds of potatoes, and maybe carrots and onions as well. My problem is that my apartment is small and I don't really have anywhere "cold" to put anything. We have the...
  13. fluttervale

    Anyone into rare or exotic?

    I would like to have indoor lime & lemon trees (maybe orange, though I don't eat them) because I think they are pretty. Here in Michigan they could never do well outdoors year round. Maybe once I have a house.
  14. fluttervale

    What did you do in the garden today?

    I get to visit my garden once a week. It's at my parents' house, since I live in an apartment. This week I weeded (for the first time--Dad tilled it for me) and tried to bury my potatoes a little farther. I also pinched off the suckers from the tomatoes, and helped Mom (helped = talked to...
  15. fluttervale

    New to BYC

    It's fantastic. He's very supportive about me having my chickens on my property. He's a great doggy Grandpa so I'm sure he'll be amused when I do get a property and get my chickens.
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