Hello from south(ish) Texas

[RichnSteph]

Hey folks, long time lurker and finally signed up. My wife and I just recently bought a small piece of land in Atkins and are having a house put down as I type this. The plan is to fence it, seed it and have some livestock (sheep) and a garden to help keep us out of the grocery store. We'll set up a 300 gallon water catch system, a well (if I can swing it) and a solar array to get us off the grid. One step at a time though right?

First things first is we're going to build a chicken coop using the hints and tricks I've seen on here and then start our first flock. Still no idea what breed for sure but we're leaning towards Easter Eggers for layers and Cornish X for meat birds. They will primarily be free range birds with about an acre to wander around on for now. Having said that I can feed them all the same fermented grains correct? I'd like to only have to use one feed for the whole bunch if possible. I can add calcium via egg shells or something similar if needed.


Other than that thanks for having us. Look forward to sharing lots of pictures and information!

Richard and Stephanie

 

[Tuhmu]

and good luck with all your poultry adventures!

I also am working on getting as self sufficient as possible.

I believe the Cornish require a bit higher protein and from my experience

of raising them last year, they don't do much free ranging. They require a some restrictions on how much feed they can have. More on that topic can be found here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-raise-chickens-for-meat-tips-and-pictures

These other links you may find useful.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/12/feeding-watering-your-flock

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16177/diy-self-sufficiency

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Welcome to the site Richard and Stephanie!

 

[ChickenExplorer]

I have 3 EE and I've had fun with them. My kids love the colored eggs, but Id be lying if I said it was for them

. Co- workers always get a kick out of our pink and green eggs.

I actually get my feed from a farm/milling operation a few miles away.

You can feed them all the same thing, your layers will just be a bit bigger. Rate of egg laying wont be affected enough for you to notice in a small operation.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

LeviS has given you some great links to follow up on! Lots of good reading here.

Great to have you aboard and enjoy your new lifestyle!!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X3 LeviS gave you some great links to check out. Some feed mills also sell poultry concentrate or protein supplements which is made to mix with grain (ie corn) at a certain ratio, you could maybe find something like that to mix with your fermented feed to tailor it more for whatever you are feeding at the moment.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

As laying hens can require large amounts of calcium - enough to be toxic to non-layers if mixed in the feed - a source of calcium available free-choice would be a wise idea.

 

[drumstick diva]

I think it's a good idea to raise layers and meaties separately . Meaties will hog the feeders and keep others away.

 

[gander007]

 

[RichnSteph]

Thank you all! More reading huh? Well that's why I stopped in here before zipping out and buying a bunch of birds. Research!!!!!

Richard and Stephanie.