- Oct 13, 2008
- 90
- 2
- 29
My grandfather raised leghorns for eggs - which he sold by the gross to the stores in nearby towns. He had about 1000 birds at a time. They were not in cages, but they were not free range either. His flock was the healthiest in his county.
At the same time, grandpa NEVER petted a chicken. Never sat in the chicken house and just watched them. Never treated bumblefoot. Never brought them hot treats because it was 60 below (rural Minnesota). Loss was expected for many reasons, and he just dealt with it.
Grandpa had his birds on an age rotation, with separate parts of the barn sectioned off for different aged birds. He got rid of the oldest bunch every year (usually when their production ran under 4-5 eggs/week). He would restock by either allowing broodies, purchasing 300 birds/year, or some combination.
I guess the gist of it is that birds had alot less "personal" care and were viewed as a farm animal, not as pets. Life was very practical. Either you pay your way, or you're out.
Contrast that to my 7 birds that get hand fed by DD every day. All of us watch them when we're bored. Due to neighborhood, I can't let mine free range, but they get kitchen scraps, yard clippings, weeds and old veggies from the garden, hot oatmeal when it's cold, etc... We keep them until they are old, nurse them along when they are sick, treat their wounds like they are our babies. Fill in the blank... I'm probably one of the worst! Grandpa would rolls his eyes at me!
At the same time, grandpa NEVER petted a chicken. Never sat in the chicken house and just watched them. Never treated bumblefoot. Never brought them hot treats because it was 60 below (rural Minnesota). Loss was expected for many reasons, and he just dealt with it.
Grandpa had his birds on an age rotation, with separate parts of the barn sectioned off for different aged birds. He got rid of the oldest bunch every year (usually when their production ran under 4-5 eggs/week). He would restock by either allowing broodies, purchasing 300 birds/year, or some combination.
I guess the gist of it is that birds had alot less "personal" care and were viewed as a farm animal, not as pets. Life was very practical. Either you pay your way, or you're out.
Contrast that to my 7 birds that get hand fed by DD every day. All of us watch them when we're bored. Due to neighborhood, I can't let mine free range, but they get kitchen scraps, yard clippings, weeds and old veggies from the garden, hot oatmeal when it's cold, etc... We keep them until they are old, nurse them along when they are sick, treat their wounds like they are our babies. Fill in the blank... I'm probably one of the worst! Grandpa would rolls his eyes at me!
