Another New Guy Looking for Advice

[Trefoil]

. Also, I started pricing out how much building my first set of pens would cost and to do it the way I want, its going to be well over $2500. Not outrageous but more than I can handle right now, so, I am also debating on building a set of pens in a slightly different spot out of scrap lumber and such I have laying around from old buildings on our property. The pens would be very well constructed but out of scraps and old lumber so it would be much cheaper. Reason I would build them in a slightly different spot is the spot I want to build my pens would actually be inset in a hill to gain a bit of ground heat and insulation, and the old lumber will rot very quickly in those conditions and I really don't want to have to try and rebuild those pens. When I build the pens inset in the hill I will use treated lumber and galvanized tin so that it will be built right and last for years. So I may build these old lumber pens as "temporary" pens to get things started and also, to learn more about the birds so the final pens are constructed after knowing a bit more about them.

Nothing wrong with using used lumber, or even pallets to built with, just be aware that by the time you're ready to build your "real" pen. you are going to need the room so your temporary pens will in all liklihood become permanent. Chicken math works overtime with peas.

 

[MontanaChet]

I checked out your link frenchblackcopper and those are some sweet pens. I'm going to be "stealing" some of your ideas if you don't mind.

3BirdGirlz, where are you located near Great Falls? I am between Conrad, Valier and Shelby so right around 80 miles north of Great Falls. I am personally thinking on getting like 2 year old birds because it will give me the winter to get things together and then by spring they would be 3 and hopefully able to produce. I am thinking on doing a couple India Blues and then maybe a couple of another variety but I'm not sure which ones yet. I also was planning on doing a heated roost too in addition to the insulated shed because I have heard that the cold can get to them. I am planning on trying to get NPIP certified but haven't looked into it a ton yet but plan to before I commit to doing peas. Thanks for the advice!

Trefoil, yeah, they will become permanent. I'm all but positive that is going to be the case. I just have to plan it out so they are set up properly for future expansion how I want.

 

[3BirdGirlz]

I'm just outside of Gr Falls near Vaughn. I have a 5 acre funny farm! Peas, chickens, rabbits, ducks and horses they are my hobby and I love comming home to them after working at the hospital. It's good for our kids too!

 

[MontanaChet]

That's great! Sounds like you have quite the variety of livestock! Well, if things work out for me, you may have a local peafowl breeder near you! Might be a little while but still!

 

[3BirdGirlz]

...

That's great! Sounds like you have quite the variety of livestock! Well, if things work out for me, you may have a local peafowl breeder near you! Might be a little while but still!
[/quote
just what I don't need to feed my addiction! Lol

 

[MontanaChet]

Hey everyone, just wanted to sorta vent some ideas to everyone. So my family went to Wyoming for the weekend for a wedding and during the long drive there and back, my wife and I discussed some ideas. My wife is ridiculously talented when it comes to beadwork and is working her way into doing multiple types of beaded jewelry. Well of course, peacock feathers would integrate nicely into her jewelry. So I am thinking I may try to pickup leather work and maybe a bit of silversmithing to compliment my wife's talents and add to our range of options.

So what I am wondering is if anyone does jewelry, belts, wallets, etc with peafowl feathers? And if so, how much do you charge?

If you would be interested in these types of things or have more ideas let me know too! And let me know what you feel they would be worth! I feel like in this day and age, if you can show how something is made from start to finish, and show that it was all done by hand, custom, in the USA, with products from your backyard, it can be worth a pretty penny. I think it would be really neat to be able to show everything from raising the peafowl to gathering the feathers and then using them in the handmade jewelry. I feel like that adds to the value of the product but let me know what you think. I am 100% open to ideas and just looking for opinions. Thanks guys and gals!

 

[new 2 pfowl]

You might check out this member who makes some lovely things with feathers - you could PM her with questions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/260976/paintedheather

This thread has all kinds of wacky off your topic things but maybe it could give you some ideas?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...orations-jewelry-clothing-or-anything-peafowl

 

[MontanaChet]

You might check out this member who makes some lovely things with feathers - you could PM her with questions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/260976/paintedheather

This thread has all kinds of wacky off your topic things but maybe it could give you some ideas?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...orations-jewelry-clothing-or-anything-peafowl

Thanks for the links! I sorta forgot about fly tying until I got into the one link. I used to tie flies all the time, even had some peacock feathers for it too! Maybe I can get back into that again and maybe take it up a notch and build my own hooks too. I've always enjoyed that type of stuff so that would be fun.

 

[3BirdGirlz]

Do you have Facebook? Look up Andie's tack and leather.... I ordered a peacock feather bridle for my daughter's show horse She sells all sorts of leather products with different things inlaid in them.

 

[casportpony]

Do you have Facebook? Look up Andie's tack and leather.... I ordered a peacock feather bridle for my daughter's show horse

She sells all sorts of leather products with different things inlaid in them.

Sounds nice! Have any pictures of that bridle?

-Kathy