California - Northern

[sewandgrow]

A pair of Mallards come every year, but this is a first for the geese and I really enjoy having them here. Interesting creatures, they come in the morning and then later in the afternoon.

-Kathy

We have a pair of Mallard that come here every year too. They swim in the Koi pond but nest in different places each time. When they get separate the hen squawks until he comes............kinda cute don't you think??.....LOL

Ok, i need help with shade tarps.
I'm looking for something that will give nice shade, but be breathable.
i've seen some online but not sure if they'll make the area hotter than it is already.
Anyone use any shade cloths or shade tarps?

We use Home Depot's & cut them into needed size plus a little extra then wrap the ends around a piece of lath to be able to evenly stretch it tight & attach it with big zip ties.. When it gets to hot even with that we run big fans.

 

[chiqita]

Hi all - 
I have a very broody cuckoo marans & I'd love to stick some eggs under her.
Does anyone know of any showgirl hatching eggs for sale locally (probably 8 would fit under my hen)?
I could swing a drive of up to 2 hrs 1-way from Fairfield.
Thanks.
- Lisa

If you cant find anything closer I am getting a large % of showgirls right now. If she has been broody for a bit I have chicks that hatched early today. It is a more reliable wat of actually getting showgirls.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I've got what may sound like a strange question...

My husband and I have access to some land on the Yurok reservation (it's my in-laws'--they bought it before the reservation was expanded to cover both sides of the Klamath) which is on the river side of the levee. Because the river floods up to the levee every decade or so, it has finally (as of a few years ago) been made illegal to reside there year-round. I think the no-stay period runs from November/December through to March/April or so. Would it be feasible/worthwhile to raise chickens there the months that people are allowed to stay there? We'd have to do some major predator-proofing. I know there are foxes, hawks, and bears. There are probably racoons, and maybe bobcats and/or cougars. We would also have to find someone to go onto the property to show some traffic--when someone's there, no one messes with anything, but when there's no one there, there's vandalization and/or theft. I'm thinking we'd probably have to hatch chicks here at the house and sell everything off by the end of the season, either as meat or laying hens. I can't have a rooster at the house, so I can't do breeding (unless I can find someone somewhere to keep a rooster for me during the no-stay times). Even more complicating factors include no electricity and no water (though a well could be dug). I'd actually be fine (theoretically, at least) with using the property in Klamath just for raising meat for the family, but my husband seems more interested in stuff we can sell.

There's a question in there somewhere, I'm sure...

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
That is what I have heard and why I thought they would be a good choice to get me off the fence. The smell hasn't been too bad yet but who knows by morning. They may be moved to the garage tomorrow if it very bad. How much space do they require until old enough to process?

 

[ronott1]

I've got what may sound like a strange question...

My husband and I have access to some land on the Yurok reservation (it's my in-laws'--they bought it before the reservation was expanded to cover both sides of the Klamath) which is on the river side of the levee. Because the river floods up to the levee every decade or so, it has finally (as of a few years ago) been made illegal to reside there year-round. I think the no-stay period runs from November/December through to March/April or so. Would it be feasible/worthwhile to raise chickens there the months that people are allowed to stay there? We'd have to do some major predator-proofing. I know there are foxes, hawks, and bears. There are probably racoons, and maybe bobcats and/or cougars. We would also have to find someone to go onto the property to show some traffic--when someone's there, no one messes with anything, but when there's no one there, there's vandalization and/or theft. I'm thinking we'd probably have to hatch chicks here at the house and sell everything off by the end of the season, either as meat or laying hens. I can't have a rooster at the house, so I can't do breeding (unless I can find someone somewhere to keep a rooster for me during the no-stay times). Even more complicating factors include no electricity and no water (though a well could be dug). I'd actually be fine (theoretically, at least) with using the property in Klamath just for raising meat for the family, but my husband seems more interested in stuff we can sell.

There's a question in there somewhere, I'm sure...

The place sounds like a great opportunity. Making a Predator proof coop would be a good idea. Battery powered fencing would help a bunch along with batter operated auto coop doors. Water and daily care? can you get there every day and is the site accessible in the winter for day use?

It depends on how far you have to drive to get there.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

The place sounds like a great opportunity. Making a Predator proof coop would be a good idea. Battery powered fencing would help a bunch along with batter operated auto coop doors. Water and daily care? can you get there every day and is the site accessible in the winter for day use?

It depends on how far you have to drive to get there.

It's 20 miles or so, distance-wise, and 30-40 minutes drive time (winding and redwoods and 101). We've already discussed the fact that we'd only be going down 2-3 times a week, and would need someone closer to go daily--mostly for human deterrence. Free ranging would be out of the question. The main problem is the residency limit--we're interpreting it to mean we can't have chickens there there during those months (let's call it 6 months--close enough, and easy to remember) that people aren't allowed to live there. I did have the idea to try to think of who to ask if we could have chickens there year-'round, if we're willing to risk flooding between Christmas and New Year's. It was a just-before-bed idea, though, so didn't get a response either way from DH. As it stands, I'm wondering if setting up and tearing down every 6 months is worth it.

 

[CackleJoy]

That is what I have heard and why I thought they would be a good choice to get me off the fence. The smell hasn't been too bad yet but who knows by morning. They may be moved to the garage tomorrow if it very bad. How much space do they require until old enough to process?

We followed Joel Salatin's pastured poultry methods. I think he's on youtube now. PolyfaceU is the name of his farm.

 

[sewandgrow]

I've got what may sound like a strange question...

My husband and I have access to some land on the Yurok reservation (it's my in-laws'--they bought it before the reservation was expanded to cover both sides of the Klamath) which is on the river side of the levee. Because the river floods up to the levee every decade or so, it has finally (as of a few years ago) been made illegal to reside there year-round. I think the no-stay period runs from November/December through to March/April or so. Would it be feasible/worthwhile to raise chickens there the months that people are allowed to stay there? We'd have to do some major predator-proofing. I know there are foxes, hawks, and bears. There are probably racoons, and maybe bobcats and/or cougars. We would also have to find someone to go onto the property to show some traffic--when someone's there, no one messes with anything, but when there's no one there, there's vandalization and/or theft. I'm thinking we'd probably have to hatch chicks here at the house and sell everything off by the end of the season, either as meat or laying hens. I can't have a rooster at the house, so I can't do breeding (unless I can find someone somewhere to keep a rooster for me during the no-stay times). Even more complicating factors include no electricity and no water (though a well could be dug). I'd actually be fine (theoretically, at least) with using the property in Klamath just for raising meat for the family, but my husband seems more interested in stuff we can sell.

There's a question in there somewhere, I'm sure...

The first 2 questions that come to my mind are How old you are & How much help do you have. I am definitely one that could have "sort of" been a pioneer woman capable of making do & roughing it. What is your water source? Will you be carrying water from the river for everything? What housing do you have & do you have the means & the manpower to build predator proof coops? Bears are a really big predator. Once established would everything stay there from season to season for your continued use when you went back or does it have to be portable & packed up & moved each time?
Please don't think I am trying to discourage you. That is not al all my intent. I love an adventure, but do try to plan everything out ahead of time.
I wish you all the best in figuring this out.

Editing....Sorry I didn't realize you would only be visiting back & forth for maintenance. I thought you were going to live there those months, but some of the questions still apply.....LOL

 

[chiqita]

I've got what may sound like a strange question...

My husband and I have access to some land on the Yurok reservation (it's my in-laws'--they bought it before the reservation was expanded to cover both sides of the Klamath) which is on the river side of the levee. Because the river floods up to the levee every decade or so, it has finally (as of a few years ago) been made illegal to reside there year-round. I think the no-stay period runs from November/December through to March/April or so. Would it be feasible/worthwhile to raise chickens there the months that people are allowed to stay there? We'd have to do some major predator-proofing. I know there are foxes, hawks, and bears. There are probably racoons, and maybe bobcats and/or cougars. We would also have to find someone to go onto the property to show some traffic--when someone's there, no one messes with anything, but when there's no one there, there's vandalization and/or theft. I'm thinking we'd probably have to hatch chicks here at the house and sell everything off by the end of the season, either as meat or laying hens. I can't have a rooster at the house, so I can't do breeding (unless I can find someone somewhere to keep a rooster for me during the no-stay times). Even more complicating factors include no electricity and no water (though a well could be dug). I'd actually be fine (theoretically, at least) with using the property in Klamath just for raising meat for the family, but my husband seems more interested in stuff we can sell.

There's a question in there somewhere, I'm sure...

The only thing I have heard of being sucessful for bear proofing is electric fences. Solar powered mebby?

I think the amount of wrork you are talking would not be worth the price point of a chicken.you would have to really enjoy it.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote: Yes, from what I understand it's a multiple generation cross to get to the Cornish X - and the "recipe" to make them is a closely guarded secret. I've been reading Fast Food Nation, and it states that the Cornish X was originally created so McDonalds could offer the chicken mcnugget. They needed a bird with more breast meat.