CorvusFarm
Songster
Hello, everyone.
Once upon a time, I was a regular here. But things got hectic, and I've been away for a couple of years. But I'm back (under a new name...since I forgot my last one!) on a new property with a larger farm and a much larger (incoming) flock, so I wanted to get back here.
I started my chicken journey about 7 years ago with a small flock of 13 hens, that included Buff Orpingtons, Danish Brown Leghorns, Light Brahmas, New Hampshire Reds, Rhode Island Reds, and Barred Rocks. Living in the mountains with everything from hawks to mountain lions, I learned the hard way about predators.
In October, I moved to a small farming community on the California Coast. I now am on a multi-year lease of a certified organic farm, and I am scaling up in a big way. I have a 2-acre market garden devoted to growing for a couple chef friends, a small CSA, and raise chickens and rabbits. The chickens are for egg production, the rabbits are meat rabbits, which I had a lot of success with on my previous property.
My incoming flock of 50+ hens will be shipped as day-olds peeps (nervous about that, as I've never shipped; always picked up in person). My order is in the queue, just waiting for availability, and includes Wellsummers, Marans, Speckled Sussex, Easter Eggers, Dorkings, Golden Buffs (Red Star Sex Links), and Leghorns. Half are for their high egg production, and half are for their unique colors. It is intimidating to brood so many at once, but I think I'm up for the challenge.
The coming months will be busy for sure. But I've been going non-stop since I got here. I build a shed/coop for the pending flock (the 4 hens that came with me are acting like they're in the Taj Mahal) and enclosed it in a 2400-square-foot run. They also have 3 Welsh Harlequin Ducks with them, who make a great alarm system. Fortunately, my predators here are a bit more predictable. I am surrounded by hundreds of acres of apple orchards, so the coyotes are my primary issue. Skunks are around, as are raccoons, I'm sure. And the hawk and owl population is quite healthy. So far, so good, on the protection front.
I am always open to answering questions or hearing advice. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know! Thanks for being a great source of knowledge and insight.
Once upon a time, I was a regular here. But things got hectic, and I've been away for a couple of years. But I'm back (under a new name...since I forgot my last one!) on a new property with a larger farm and a much larger (incoming) flock, so I wanted to get back here.
I started my chicken journey about 7 years ago with a small flock of 13 hens, that included Buff Orpingtons, Danish Brown Leghorns, Light Brahmas, New Hampshire Reds, Rhode Island Reds, and Barred Rocks. Living in the mountains with everything from hawks to mountain lions, I learned the hard way about predators.
In October, I moved to a small farming community on the California Coast. I now am on a multi-year lease of a certified organic farm, and I am scaling up in a big way. I have a 2-acre market garden devoted to growing for a couple chef friends, a small CSA, and raise chickens and rabbits. The chickens are for egg production, the rabbits are meat rabbits, which I had a lot of success with on my previous property.
My incoming flock of 50+ hens will be shipped as day-olds peeps (nervous about that, as I've never shipped; always picked up in person). My order is in the queue, just waiting for availability, and includes Wellsummers, Marans, Speckled Sussex, Easter Eggers, Dorkings, Golden Buffs (Red Star Sex Links), and Leghorns. Half are for their high egg production, and half are for their unique colors. It is intimidating to brood so many at once, but I think I'm up for the challenge.
The coming months will be busy for sure. But I've been going non-stop since I got here. I build a shed/coop for the pending flock (the 4 hens that came with me are acting like they're in the Taj Mahal) and enclosed it in a 2400-square-foot run. They also have 3 Welsh Harlequin Ducks with them, who make a great alarm system. Fortunately, my predators here are a bit more predictable. I am surrounded by hundreds of acres of apple orchards, so the coyotes are my primary issue. Skunks are around, as are raccoons, I'm sure. And the hawk and owl population is quite healthy. So far, so good, on the protection front.
I am always open to answering questions or hearing advice. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know! Thanks for being a great source of knowledge and insight.
Best of Luck
We're so happy you've decided to re-join us
