Neighbors LOVE free eggs ! Trust me on this one.I feel like I have farming in my blood, though I've lived in the city my whole life. I've always wanted to move to the country, but circumstances were never on my side. I can slaughter an animal, I've done so before, but as stated below, I'm a backyarder who has touchy neighbors. I'm trying to come up with a solution so that I could slaughter somewhere. Getting someone to let me, is another thingI am legally allowed to have 3 roosters here, which should be plenty, but I'm doing strange things to appease my neighbors (keeping them in the house 90% of the time
It's not the worst though. Main problem, believe it or not, is that they like to scratch their food, therefore they make a mess around their food bowl that must be kept clean. I can raise cockerels until they start crowing, then choose who stays and slaughter the rest IF I can find a place to slaughter. I figure that's about 14 weeks. That is why I want a duel purpose bird.
Gosh, I learn so much from you! I didn't realize feather quality and egg production were related! Thank you!
Unfortunately, I'm a backyarder. To me, it means someone in the city or suburbs trying to make a go with lots of restraints. Usually only having laying hens. When I was a kid, my dad raised chinchillas, yah, a chinchilla farmer.... another "backyard" thing to do, but that is where I fell in love with learning about breeding. I spent my childhood caring for them, as my father repeatedly got sick, however some of my happiest times were spent with him choosing which to mate, and I did all the cleaning feeding and watering so I knew what the commitment was like for taking chickens on (d@mn easier I can tell ya!) I did this from age 11 until he died at 21. I always told him we should sell to the pet trade, but that was against the "rules" for chinchilla breeders (I've learned a lot about those people over the years, stupid!) They are great pets, but not where the temperatures get too high, unless air conditioned.
Anyway, yah, how long will I be at this? will I be successful? Considering it took 21 years to get my husband to let me keep chickens, I dunno! LOL. I will tell you I have more pressures on me than someone with acreage. I've worked hard to build strong coops and secure runs, and am still working on more. I have to keep neighbors happy too. So I'd be stupid to make promises that I'm gonna fix those Crevies! LOL. But whatever I do and get done, I'll certainly be enjoying myself!
