BYC members in Massachusetts?

[jbahros]

Gratuitous chicken pics!
My babies
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And my ladies!
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Let's see em everyone!

OMG so adorable!

 

[jbahros]

55 leghorn is a breed strain. I have 9 layers and a roo currently. Hoping for a couple hens with the 4 chicks I have. Plan to top at about 25 layers. Have a new shed/coop in planning stages. I have a very high demand for eggs so im running with it. Also, your coop/run is beautiful!

Thanks for explaining the 55 leghorn. Thanks also for the kind words about the pen coop. I want them to have room and be safe. Do you have regular customers that you sell eggs to? How many do you sell a week?

 

[Tre3hugger]

@jbahros I supply eggs to a local CSA(community supported agiculture) that a friend/farming partner of mine runs. I just got my birds about 2 months ago, and quickly caught the poultry bug. I originally intended to just have eggs for me. I had some excess and started giving him 2 dozen a week at 3.50/dz. His customers LOVED the color variety and pictures of my girls on grass, and demand went way up so now I give him 3 dz a week and I hardly eat eggs lol. It makes me feel good to spread food through my community, and the girls pay their own way. I'm getting ready to make an order for 10 meat birds(prob cornish x, I just built them a tractor) and 12 more layers. Right now my goal is to provide 10 dz a week. Im thinking 20-25 birds will accomplish that and leave me some to eat. Once I get the new shed/coop(12x10), ill Have an open 8x4 coop. Just may start a breeding project, selling hatching eggs and chicks.

Sorry for the long winded response. I have been going over this "business plan" on a loop in my head. It is nice to have a sounding board to talk about it! I'm new to the game but learning fast and love sharing my thoughts and experiences with the people here.

 

[jbahros]

@jbahros I supply eggs to a local CSA(community supported agiculture) that a friend/farming partner of mine runs. I just got my birds about 2 months ago, and quickly caught the poultry bug. I originally intended to just have eggs for me. I had some excess and started giving him 2 dozen a week at 3.50/dz. His customers LOVED the color variety and pictures of my girls on grass, and demand went way up so now I give him 3 dz a week and I hardly eat eggs lol. It makes me feel good to spread food through my community, and the girls pay their own way. I'm getting ready to make an order for 10 meat birds(prob cornish x, I just built them a tractor) and 12 more layers. Right now my goal is to provide 10 dz a week. Im thinking 20-25 birds will accomplish that and leave me some to eat. Once I get the new shed/coop(12x10), ill Have an open 8x4 coop. Just may start a breeding project, selling hatching eggs and chicks.

Sorry for the long winded response. I have been going over this "business plan" on a loop in my head. It is nice to have a sounding board to talk about it! I'm new to the game but learning fast and love sharing my thoughts and experiences with the people here.

Wow!! I am so impressed. Thats wonderful but I'm surprised that are no eggs for you. I love cooking so I have many wonder egg recipes in my head: creme brûlée, panacotta, frittatas, dutch baby pancakes, and my favorite kaisersmarren! I can't wait for girls to start laying!!!

 

[4theBirdz]

@4theBirdz welcome to the thread. What kind of birds do you keep?

Thank you, sorry for the late response Ive been busy with building my coop. Its our first time raising chickens. We got the briwn egg layer combi from TSC. As far as I can tell there's a barred rock, three tetra tints, a buff orpington, possibly a light brahma, and three I cant fir the life of me figure out. It would have been nice if the even just through in a hand written note of what they shipped.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Yeah it would drive me crazy having no idea what the breed is. I'm sure they're gorgeous tho. How's the co-op coming? @4theBirdz

 

[4theBirdz]

Yeah it would drive me crazy having no idea what the breed is. I'm sure they're gorgeous tho. How's the co-op coming? @4theBirdz

Just starting, had to do some things this morning but will get at it after lunch

 

[Tre3hugger]

Looking good so far!

 

[4theBirdz]

Thanks!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Thanks!

I’m getting ready to build a similar style, but smaller coop for a grow out pen and meat bird coop. Was going to start today but I’m nursing a spider bite to my shin. Should be fine tomorrow. I’m glad I’m not the only one building on the septic field.