California - Northern

[zooweemama]

I have had quite the weekend too. I have 12 less chickens and only hatched one little basque chick. So cute but so lonely. My feed bill is already so much better

It is strangely quiet in my back yard now though....

I stopped of at a local meat store today and saw a sign for Farm Fresh eggs, $6.00 per dozen.

Do Not Sell Your Eggs Short!

Ron

Woo for smaller feed bill! I cannot wait to get rid of these extra cockerels. Some of them I can already tell by looking at whack combs they are not keepers anyway but they only weigh like 2 pounds as it is. Totally couldn't eat them ha!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Ohhhhhhhh I get it - he has regular sized laced wyandottes that he is getting rid of!

Oh a side note- getting rid of 2 of my chickens tomorrow. A pullet and a cockerel from my Buff Orps are going to a new home. Taking me down to 24...but the bantam Wyandottes I am picking up tomorrow (squeal!) brings me up to 26 again. Hey, my chicken math is pretty healthy I think!

Those are beautiful birds! Congratulations! Maybe one of your kiddies will get into 4H and with them!

The only thing I was thinking about when allowing your 2 flocks to free range together, is how long you have to have them separate if you want to breed/hatch eggs. I know it was discussed on here, but can't remember how long.

Have fun tomorrow!

 

[amyfamily]

Thanks. My mom gasped when I told her I would charge $4/dozen when they are all laying well. But my mom also does not understand the purpose to eating fresh, natural, organic etc is. She lives of Cheetos, ice burg salads and cigarettes. So she will pay $5+ for a pack of smokes per day/but not $4 for a dozen fresh eggs. It's all about priorities and those who do value fresh eggs from happy chickens will pay the $4. Worse case? I donate my surplus to a local lunch group that hands out free lunches on Wednesdays to homeless/needy. They always need hardboiled eggs. So if I end up with too much and can't sell them- they will make their way into some grateful persons tummy.

My parents don't get it either. I'm waiting to tell them that I am adding in geese and goats to my little farm! Lol! My mom eats very healthy, but doesn't get the natural, organic, and self sustainable part of it. She would rather go to Safeway and be done with it. I am so glad that I am doi g this though. My children love it and are learning so much!

 

[zooweemama]

My parents don't get it either. I'm waiting to tell them that I am adding in geese and goats to my little farm! Lol! My mom eats very healthy, but doesn't get the natural, organic, and self sustainable part of it. She would rather go to Safeway and be done with it. I am so glad that I am doi g this though. My children love it and are learning so much!

That's really one of the reasons we decided to do this. Of course we could get the same food cheaper. But there is something SO organic, grass roots and natural about working with your own 2 hands and reaping what you sew. I do not think all people should or even can do this. They can't of course. A person living in a high rise in NYC can hardly have geese and chickens lol. But we did choose to live in the country and the space is here and we really want to teach our kids where there food comes from, healthy eating (minus the zeal of banning McDs and ice cream or even donuts. a life of moderation steeped in education.), physical activity, sacrifice, less Xbox more books...and for us being as self sufficient as possible means when there are shortages or price sky rocket- we have a little padding around us. Do it while we can- because we may hit a point in our life that it's too late.

We homeschool too. Makes us extra weird. My family although they giggle- respect our choices so I have that! How old are your kids?

 

[zooweemama]

Those are beautiful birds! Congratulations! Maybe one of your kiddies will get into 4H and with them!

The only thing I was thinking about when allowing your 2 flocks to free range together, is how long you have to have them separate if you want to breed/hatch eggs. I know it was discussed on here, but can't remember how long.

Have fun tomorrow!

Yes. I know that there is X amount of time you must let pass once you put them in a breeding pen together. You keep them there for X amount of time. Then you can begin collecting her eggs after X amount of time has passed. It's algebra....x = ? haha

 

[Miss Molly]

http://redding.craigslist.org/grd/3182426824.html
Should I?

hehe (i recently learned my husband really likes wide lacing pattern) I saw these and thought they would look so pretty. Maybe I could beg someone to hatch a few eggs from them for me...

Self control, Amy or go get'em? hehe

Oh What the heck...

Get them!!! I will gladly hatch eggs for you...

I have the reg size BLRW, I love love love them!!!
Go for it AmyBeth.....

 

[chickee]

That is why I am selling most of my large fowl and keeping the bantams

I am so excited! Once I am able to process a bunch of my roosters or re-home any then my food bill will begin to lighten up a bit.

 

[Miss Molly]

OMG, I scored yesterday.

Two years ago, I was given a 6x6 pen from freecycle. I was in Mexico and messing around in my email, saw the offer and asked the person to hold it until I got home from vacation. I added the panels to existing walls in a shed and made a great indoor growout pen.

I follow craigslist to keep my eye out for wire/cyclone dog kennels to make pens. A year ago, I got one of the 5x10 AKC ones like they were selling at Costco for $400. The woman was moving and sold it for $150. I was happy, we extended the size by adding a raised coop.

A couple of months ago, I bought a 6x12 cyclone pen for $100. It had a few rough spots, but the price was right and we could fix it. We only needed to add it to some existing fence, so I ended up with an 6x25 ft pen for my turkeys and was able to use two panels for the roof.

A month ago, I bought 10 panels, 6 6x14, 2 6x6, 1 6x6 w/gate, 1 6x8 w/gate and they threw in an extra stand alone gate for $300. We were able to configure it into 4 pens by buying one extra gate panel at HD.

I said, okay, I'm done, I don't need any more pens.

Yesterday morning, I said I'm going to keep watching craigslist and only go for exceptional deals............... I decided to check while DH was outside mowing.

I found a 6x12 foot pen, with a panel for the roof, sloped for drainage. It's all welded pipes, super heavy, squared corners and in perfect condition. They sell new for $600+. I came across the ad 23 minutes after it was posted. I made DH stop mowing and dash down the hill to pick it up before it was gone. An hour later it was in our truck and on it's way up the hill. She was only asking $150. You have to move exceptionally fast on those offers. I know, I've missed out on several.

I have GOT to stop checking the ads, I know, I was already looking this morning. My excuse is the neighbor asked me to watch for him, he does GSD rescue and needs a couple.

Deb

Deb, You are so funny... I do the same thing. I keep collecting all the good deals I can find on Craigslist. My husband told me he might have to turn off the internet if I cant stay of craigslist. I laughed and said, do it...I get internet on my Iphone and at work...LOL He is just Joking...I hope...

 

[Papa Brooder]

Quote: well sounds like you get your questions answered. yes mine are large fowl LF.
two of them have become my new favorite chickens. some pics:




She was definitely starting to pose for the camera.





i am liking the personality of these chickens more than many of the other breeds I have. they are so mellow and not easily spooked.

 

[amyfamily]

well sounds like you get your questions answered.    yes mine are large fowl LF. 
two of them have become my new favorite chickens. some pics:




She was definitely starting to pose for the camera.





i am liking the personality of these chickens more than many of the other breeds I have.  they are so mellow and not easily spooked.

Those are beautiful!! I need some like those! I love my silver laced ones. But these are so pretty too!