I am new to this forum but have had my own flock of chickens since 2000. I started raising chickens because I decided I wanted to be able to have my own eggs without having to drive to the grocery store and as a project for my two sons. As you can guess, it quickly became my project. I now have about thirty hens, Black Austrolorpes, Barred Rocks, a couple of Silkies from my original flock, and several game chickens. I also have about 75 free range chickens that live in the trees at the fenceline. I also raise miniature donkeys and the occasional calf for beef. I sell eggs when I can but have never had the guts to kill my own chickens, even though I have considered it. I have been told by a couple of people that this is a good forum. I hope I can learn a lot, and maybe shed some light for others.
welcome, you will only fit in if your a tad bit nuts or can laugh out loud reading some of these forums. You will enjoy these folks, everyone seems to be a bunch of real good eggs...!
WOW so you have 8 years experience! It's always nice to have someone who has been raising chickens that long around here. SO do you keep the chickens around even after they are no longer laying eggs? Or do you refresh your flock?
Quote:Interesting you should ask. I had three of the original flock when I married. One Red Production Hen and two Arucana, (I know I misspelled that), the kind that lays green eggs. I still have Mama, my Red hen, although she no longer lays regularly. She's kinda like a dog in that she likes to be picked up and scratched. When I get new chicks, I pen them up with her as she is a natural mother. The others were killed by predators. I had to keep them out of the pens because they became egg eaters. Mama is not and she's in with the barred rocks. I would refresh, but I don't want to kill my others and I don't know anyone who wants a used chicken!