Thanks so much everyone! I definitely enjoy it. I've been fortunate to stay home since 2005 and I've used the garden as my source for stress relief and relaxation.
Nearly a year later, and I'm so happy I can let my now toddler play with the chickens. I don't allow him to harm them or scare them, but he definitely engages in behaviors Mr. Rooster wouldn't Iike. My older kids want us to get a rooster so we can have babies, but I've told them I'm not willing...
I would add in soil too. If you wanted to wait until fall to plant, adding in the hay and leaves would be fine, but if you want to plant now, the composting process would take away from the nutrients.
Hi,
I haven't updated my blog in a couple of years, due to said toddler, but I thought you might enjoy pictures of my gardens and chickens plus toddler. He loves them!http://maryannscountrygarden.blogspot.com/
I just saw this post again and wanted to reply. I ended up ordering a batch of chicks in late feb or early march, and harvested in late April. All went well. I ordered some egg layers in June or July, details have escaped me, but in the summer. It was very hot, and heat was not a problem for...
Thank you for your responses. I really hate to do it, I know it's not his fault. I would say I'd put him in a stew pot, but, realistically, there's not much meat on him. We've raised meat birds and my children already said we can't eat him because we'll know which one he is. The prospective...
Hi,
I got a bantam rooster last spring accidentally in a batch of chicks. Sadly, he's the only one who survived out of the batch, and all my other hens are standard-sized. I don't see much if any mating happening. I had a baby last October, and was quite ill and then had a c-section, so I...
From what predator are you protecting your flock? If it's dogs, coyotes, etc., consider electronet fencing. Premier fencing supplies has them. If you have a city lot, any sturdy fence should do it. If you have Hawks, you'll need a wire covering. I have a rooster and a Guinea, (noisy) and...
You are absolutely correct on the hubby thing ... He built a bookshelf for my daughter and we had to hire professional movers to get it up the stairs!! We have a significant predator problem, but I have electronet fencing to surround the chicken pens. I've also thought about using stakes to...
As for the original question, I have s problem with Hawks. I put them out in tractor-type situations, with a cover over them, as early as the weather allows, but as a hawk came and sat in the pine tree above the chicks 5 minutes (or less) after they were outside cheeping, I can't let them free...
They are meant to eat, not for egg laying. I'm not sure if they actually can lay eggs, but if they do they are bad at it. As I understand it, they will die if they aren't butchered. You probably see by now that they do not move around the same as the other chickens.
We actually already have a chicken tractor, which they are in now. (12), and 12 in the pen. (Ha autocorrect changed pen to oven!). Anyway, I'm looking for something bigger than that--mine is 4x8. Using it as a cold frame is a thought, but as my garden is fenced with dog wire to keep out the...
Hi, this is my second go with jumbo X Cornish cross. I have 24 currently, 12 in s chicken run and 12 in a chicken tractor with a temporary run attached to protect them from Hawks during the day; I put them inside the tractor during the night. They are always surrounded by electronet also. So...
You may not truly believe it until you see it, (I didn't), but they seriously do stink a lot more and poop a lot more than "regular" chickens. If you have a small lot with close neighbors there will likely be problems you wouldn't have with the others.
By adulthood, I meant 6-8 weeks old. Sorry for confusion :) I ordered all males last time and processed them by 6 weeks--would have held a bit longer but slaughterhouse quit doing chickens and switched to hogs then. They turned out very well. I guess if it's hot enough I could go without a...
Hi
I raised one batch of meat birds starting them in October and finishing in December. They had to stay in my garage under lights to stay warm for longer than I would have liked...having 17 half-grown cornish cross chickens living in the garage did not make for happiness in my house!! So I...