Hi all,
After much lurking I've decided to join BYC. I've used this website for so much information and help I can't even begin to show my appreciation. I am located in southwest Washington where I moved to attend graduate school. I built a coop and got two Rhode Island Red's and a Barred Rock as a gift for my wife's birthday a few years back not long after moving here. So began a great love affair with poultry. I've been a birder for about 20 years of my life so I guess I should not be surprised how much I've grown to love these birds. We've since added a few more Barred Rocks to our flock. Our first five all had names but I think the naming will come to an end now that I've decided to shift gears and try to start a pasture based farm operation including broilers, layers, and ducks.
The original three!
All grown up. Wiggles (back), Sleepy (middle), and Starbuck (lower right)
We leased 18 acres of pasture not far from our home (we are going to have cows too!). We've decided to raise and breed Magpie ducks for both meat/eggs. They just arrived and I have to drag myself away from watching them to get work done on our farm. I've also got 40 broilers (Cornish X) on the way next week and another 125 layers that will arrive in late September. I am focusing largely on heritage breeds and diversifying egg color so we are getting a mixture of Rhodie Reds, Barred Rocks, Single Comb Brown Leghorn, Ameraucanas, and Cuckoo Marans.
It was a long ride from New Mexico to Washington! Time for a nap.
I look forward to sharing my experiences with you as De Novo Farm grows and also helping those with the knowledge I gain thru my own experiences. Thank you again for all the great posts.
I
I've had poultry on my mind for a while...she has always wanted to have the high perch since she was a chick.
After much lurking I've decided to join BYC. I've used this website for so much information and help I can't even begin to show my appreciation. I am located in southwest Washington where I moved to attend graduate school. I built a coop and got two Rhode Island Red's and a Barred Rock as a gift for my wife's birthday a few years back not long after moving here. So began a great love affair with poultry. I've been a birder for about 20 years of my life so I guess I should not be surprised how much I've grown to love these birds. We've since added a few more Barred Rocks to our flock. Our first five all had names but I think the naming will come to an end now that I've decided to shift gears and try to start a pasture based farm operation including broilers, layers, and ducks.
The original three!
All grown up. Wiggles (back), Sleepy (middle), and Starbuck (lower right)
We leased 18 acres of pasture not far from our home (we are going to have cows too!). We've decided to raise and breed Magpie ducks for both meat/eggs. They just arrived and I have to drag myself away from watching them to get work done on our farm. I've also got 40 broilers (Cornish X) on the way next week and another 125 layers that will arrive in late September. I am focusing largely on heritage breeds and diversifying egg color so we are getting a mixture of Rhodie Reds, Barred Rocks, Single Comb Brown Leghorn, Ameraucanas, and Cuckoo Marans.
It was a long ride from New Mexico to Washington! Time for a nap.
I look forward to sharing my experiences with you as De Novo Farm grows and also helping those with the knowledge I gain thru my own experiences. Thank you again for all the great posts.
II've had poultry on my mind for a while...she has always wanted to have the high perch since she was a chick.
