Getting the flock out of here - a diary of a crazy chicken man

[ozexpat]

Like I said I don't follow all the rules for hatching. Yes maybe hatch rate would of been higher, maybe not. I do everything perfect 1 hatch and it bombs. I follow lose rules the next and its great. I wanted to see if it would work. The current eggs I am following the rules 100% 3-5 x turning etc. will see how well this 1 goes. I am content with my hatch. All these are my eggs, so wasn't worried about cost. And nothing is on MY endangered list like my ducks/WLH were. Nature can be forgiving. Not telling everyone they should do what I do. Just tested a theory. Like my meat project, with so many people saying, even the experts, that you CANNOT get CX to lay and have babies.
I have things I want to try with the hatching, crosses, different incubation tech. etc. Like hatching the ducks from full sibling parents. I was told YOU CAN'T. But I did. I have better luck than a lot of "Pro breeders" and I am happy with our birds. Even the ducks that went 7/8 had a spike of 108 and then a low temp for nearly the last week since bator went wonky on me. I get to work with what I have and make due. It works out more often than not.
Its a hobby, turned obsession and wife is happy as long as we have eggs and table birds and the bonus is the little profits we get and might make. Not to mention the looks on my children's faces when I bring in a new hatch, or they get to help me feed them, or hunting for eggs. Most of my family loves the birds others tolerate them (2 of my sons) but they all know they are working animals, except maybe ducks for now.
I do 95% of all the work, with a few small exceptions. Some days I can't do everything perfect, others almost literally nothing. But it works for our little farm and our family. Having 1 income and the stress of being disabled, but denied SSDI because of my age (Really no other reason) I am given a strict budget (But more than I would ask for). My wife does this for a few reasons and we stay happy with what we have. Being in just the lowest end of Middleclass (If that's possible) we keep a happy family. My oldest graduates Sunday and in the fall is off to college of his choice. Its all from grants and because of his grades and ACT test scores. He knew years ago we couldn't afford college and he is making his own dream come true. We never pushed him, just let him know that if that's what he wants he would have to earn it.
We try to raise our children with old values that seem to be non-existent these modern days.

Didn't mean to rant just a few thoughts why everything doesn't always have to be perfect but it can turn out well. I limit myself even when offered more. Sure I have a wish list. But until something changes it will stay a wish. We make do and are happy. That's my 1 wish that's never put on the list, its always a reality here. What else is there if we are not happy.

We all raise chickens for several different reasons. One of them is enjoyment for ourselves and others.

When it comes to hatching, I have had some of the best catastrophic failures out there. Some through ignorance, some through negligence and some that were no fault of ours.

Now that I have had these failures, I cant commit to hatching an egg and then not giving it the best chance. Once I start those cells dividing I am responsible for a life - even if it is just a bird. I try and do everything right.

I know of many people whi have raised a CX to lay eggs. I am not sure if the CX Roos would be able to cover them - a bit like the male broad breasted turkeys. I would be happy with Red Ranger from Dunlap Hatchery. They perform really well and they can grow into adult birds without the leg issues. I am going to try and hatch a few this round to see if I can use them in my CocoBeach bird.

Congrats on your kid making it into college. I also have no problem sending kids to community college for the first couple of years. I shudder at the though of paying for private schools. I might move to Finland after all.

Nothing has to be perfect. Its how you play the game.

 

[ozexpat]

Ok I have a question

How long would a 50lb bag of feed last 3 adult birds?

 

[chickensnbees]

Ok I have a question

How long would a 50lb bag of feed last 3 adult birds?

Not sure the exact answer, but I can tell you that 50 lbs will last my 4 layers 6-7 weeks. I know some breeds eat more than others but I have 1 each of Buff Orpington, Light Brahma, Black Sex link, and Easter Egger. They are occasionally (2-3 times a week) supplemented with scratch, leftover kitchen greens, or fruit.

 

[ozexpat]

Not sure the exact answer, but I can tell you that 50 lbs will last my 4 layers 6-7 weeks. I know some breeds eat more than others but I have 1 each of Buff Orpington, Light Brahma, Black Sex link, and Easter Egger. They are occasionally (2-3 times a week) supplemented with scratch, leftover kitchen greens, or fruit.

Thanks

I need to budget how much feed I need to provide for the chicken mission. 15KG should be Ok for a month for three birds at that rate,

Half a ton for 30 trios!

The chicken mission official website will be up in a couple of weeks.

It will have a Paypal logo on it for $5 and $10 donations

 

[ocap]

Watched "Quigley Down Under" yesterday, beautiful scenery , I never have made it to Australia, maybe next year.
The oxen were a beautiful addition to the landscape.

 

[ozexpat]

427am and I have had enough web page building for yesterday

I completed the home page, the about us/contact us page, the chickens page with 14 breeds info and photos and the pricing page. I still have the products page and other poultry page to add.

Then I have a whole host of resources pages to complete.

I am linking www.thechickenmission.org so I am building that website in tandem.

More fun on the morrow.

 

[piglett]

Ok I have a question

How long would a 50lb bag of feed last 3 adult birds?

a 50lb bag of laying pellets will last 5 large breed hens a month without any household scraps

if they have some access to grass/treats they will not eat so much feed

 

[piglett]

Thanks

I need to budget how much feed I need to provide for the chicken mission. 15KG should be Ok for a month for three birds at that rate,

Half a ton for 30 trios!

The chicken mission official website will be up in a couple of weeks.

It will have a Paypal logo on it for $5 and $10 donations

please let us know when the site is up & running OZ

 

[ramirezframing]

Seriously wishing I knew how long a 50lb bag of feed would last 3 birds, maybe in a different life.

 

[piglett]

Seriously wishing I knew how long a 50lb bag of feed would last 3 birds, maybe in a different life.

10lbs for hen a month

so 50lbs would last them about 45 days +/-