Extension Agent learning alongside you :)

[EverythingButTheSink]

I am an Extension Agent with the University of Florida (Go Gators!) working in Jacksonville, FL. I currently teach a backyard poultry seminar twice a month as Jacksonville requires the course in order for residents to keep chickens. I also own a farm and have 9 chickens and two ducks with more on the way I am getting very good at chicken math and have the mentality that my farm will be everything but the kitchen sink! Two of every breed will just about satisfy me!
Currently I have 4 Australorps (two were supposed to be golden laced wyandottes but the tractor supply boy goofed), 1 black maran, 2 blue marans, 2 barred rocks, and waiting on 1 blue laced red wyandotte, 1 blue laced silver wyandotte, and 3 ayam cemani and two khaki campbell ducks!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I currently teach a backyard poultry seminar twice a month as Jacksonville requires the course in order for residents to keep chickens.

Hi, welcome to BYC!

That's a great idea... for a community to require a course for resident to keep chickens! Maybe a good option for communities that are currently anti chicken.. to implement.

I hope you teach them that scratch is a TREAT and formulated ration is usually the best option... and rats are not only freeloaders but also chicken predators. Securing your feed at night is key.

 

[Joeschooks]

Hello and Sounds like you are bringing a wealth of experience with you. Thank you for joining us

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Wow, what a great job you have! My County Extension folks seem to enjoy their work. Nothing better than helping people learn!

Australorps are a nice breed to keep. I think you will enjoy them even better than the Golden Laced!!

Enjoy and welcome to our roost!

 

[EverythingButTheSink]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

That's a great idea... for a community to require a course for resident to keep chickens! Maybe a good option for communities that are currently anti chicken.. to implement.

I hope you teach them that scratch is a TREAT and formulated ration is usually the best option... and rats are not only freeloaders but also chicken predators. Securing your feed at night is key.

Always tell about scratch

 

[ronott1]

It is great having you here! Who teaches the required class hen you have to take it?

Your place soon

 

[lazy gardener]

4 Australorps, two golden laced wyandottes, 1 goofy tractor supply boy, 1 black maran, 2 blue marans, 2 barred rocks, and waiting on 1 blue laced red wyandotte, 1 blue laced silver wyandotte, and 3 ayam cemani and two khaki campbell ducks!

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Welcome to BYC.

If I could impart any advice to new flock owners: Chicks do not need to be brooded in the house. And they do not need a 250W heat lamp if they are brooded in the house. And they need lots of room, no matter where they are brooded: 2 s.f./chick after 2 - 3 weeks of age.

MHP system rocks, no matter where the chicks are brooded. a 12 x 24 system will brood up to 24 chicks.

The ideal coop is a walk in style, has at least 4 s.f./bird in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird.

I also hope you take the opportunity to touch on deep litter management in coop and run.

 

[EverythingButTheSink]

View attachment 1332890

It is great having you here! Who teaches the required class hen you have to take it?

Your place soon

View attachment 1332892

It is a two hour seminar that attempts to scratch the surface of chicken keeping. After attending the course residents apply for a permit from our city planning department ($25 fee) and once they acquire the permit they can have from 5-15 hens depending on how much land they own. No roosters, no slaughtering on the property, and no selling of eggs/manure/etc.

I am self taught from working with PhD poultry scientists and owning chickens for much of my life Learning something new every day!

As far as advanced chicken math goes, I had everything else before I got the chickens, I like to work backwwards. I already have horses, dogs, & pigs. I lease pasture space to my neighbors cows

 

[EggSighted4Life]

View attachment 1332890

It is great having you here! Who teaches the required class hen you have to take it?

Your place soon

View attachment 1332892

Yes, until last year I didn't know chicken math included goats!

 

[EverythingButTheSink]

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Welcome to BYC.

If I could impart any advice to new flock owners: Chicks do not need to be brooded in the house. And they do not need a 250W heat lamp if they are brooded in the house. And they need lots of room, no matter where they are brooded: 2 s.f./chick after 2 - 3 weeks of age.

MHP system rocks, no matter where the chicks are brooded. a 12 x 24 system will brood up to 24 chicks.

The ideal coop is a walk in style, has at least 4 s.f./bird in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird.

I also hope you take the opportunity to touch on deep litter management in coop and run.

I Have a 240 sq ft coop and my chickens will free range throughout the day so they will have a 10 acre run Can't get much better than that!