Well it's 2011... Decided I'd just start a thread for this year to talk about our new plans? Geez I have a lot! You pretty much just talk about your poultry... Anyone in? I guess I'll start!
I currently have two coops. A 5x3 coop 2 ft off the ground with a large run that we had built, and a tractor coop from the feed store. Only the 5x3 is being used right now- it holds four pullets, nine months old.
Zucchini, EE
Pepper, BR
Amelia, White Rock
Lily, BSL
I get brown and pink-ish eggs from lily and pepper, pepper's have white dots on them. Amelia lays brown and Zucchini (zuzu) lays a great turquoise.
The tractor isnt being used now- though it's soon to hold three more pullets for laying- haven't decided on the breed yet, but I'm thinking blue ameraucana, some maran and a deleware. It also has a large run. In the spring I'll be converting a large, nice shed from Home Depot with a big run, making it the main coop with hopefully a large amount of chicks from McMurray. The current 5x3 coop I hope to use for bantams, and the tractor will be for the sick and injured birds. I would also like to build four small coops and runs for penning different breeds.
I sell eggs in Atlanta for $3.60 a dozen to friends and family- we do delivery and are soon to start setting up at the farmer's market.
Maybe sometime in the future I could build a coop made out of complete recycled material for a friend who is in desperate need of a new coop- maybe in the Summer. I just ordered a mini-fridge to store eggs in and am hoping (
) to get the Brinsea Octagon Eco 20 as a new incubator. I have a large dog crate for a brooder- it can be divided into two parts to hold different groups of chicks. It stays in my garage.
My theory for raising is to vaccinate for cocci and marek's and worm once or twice a year. I HATE dealing with disease. Period. If they're not vaccinated for cocci then I raise the chicks on medicated feed up to fourteen weeks of age, when their body can typically be cocci-resistant. My flock is currently fed layer feed with soy for $25. I will PROBABLY be switching to Purina start and grow, then Layena at 19 weeks of age. The girls are free ranged for the most part, but I do OFFER oyster shell anyway. Berries, watermelon, corn on the cob, cracked corn in Winter and CHICKEN are their favorite treats.
Well... That's my chicken story... Just thought I could hear about others', too.
edited to add: I'll upload some pictures later, now I'm using mobile.
I currently have two coops. A 5x3 coop 2 ft off the ground with a large run that we had built, and a tractor coop from the feed store. Only the 5x3 is being used right now- it holds four pullets, nine months old.
Zucchini, EE
Pepper, BR
Amelia, White Rock
Lily, BSL
I get brown and pink-ish eggs from lily and pepper, pepper's have white dots on them. Amelia lays brown and Zucchini (zuzu) lays a great turquoise.
The tractor isnt being used now- though it's soon to hold three more pullets for laying- haven't decided on the breed yet, but I'm thinking blue ameraucana, some maran and a deleware. It also has a large run. In the spring I'll be converting a large, nice shed from Home Depot with a big run, making it the main coop with hopefully a large amount of chicks from McMurray. The current 5x3 coop I hope to use for bantams, and the tractor will be for the sick and injured birds. I would also like to build four small coops and runs for penning different breeds.
I sell eggs in Atlanta for $3.60 a dozen to friends and family- we do delivery and are soon to start setting up at the farmer's market.
Maybe sometime in the future I could build a coop made out of complete recycled material for a friend who is in desperate need of a new coop- maybe in the Summer. I just ordered a mini-fridge to store eggs in and am hoping (
My theory for raising is to vaccinate for cocci and marek's and worm once or twice a year. I HATE dealing with disease. Period. If they're not vaccinated for cocci then I raise the chicks on medicated feed up to fourteen weeks of age, when their body can typically be cocci-resistant. My flock is currently fed layer feed with soy for $25. I will PROBABLY be switching to Purina start and grow, then Layena at 19 weeks of age. The girls are free ranged for the most part, but I do OFFER oyster shell anyway. Berries, watermelon, corn on the cob, cracked corn in Winter and CHICKEN are their favorite treats.
Well... That's my chicken story... Just thought I could hear about others', too.
edited to add: I'll upload some pictures later, now I'm using mobile.
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