Help - please fix my plan!

[NHMountainMan]

Egg production will fall in the winter if you don’t provide additional light. Even without light you might get a dozen a week from 4-5 from the breeds you’ve got. You’ll likely have a month or so where your under that production but any more and next spring you’ll be getting that amount every two days.

As far as numbers go I think you’re good either way. Your hens will be happier with the extra space and as long as they can be out of the elements they’ll be fine regardless of how many you have. If my math is right you’ve got 10 now and your coop at 48 sf is plenty of space even if you keep them all.

As far as harvesting goes my opinion is harvest when they’re at the size you want, but I’m sure someone will give you a better timeline. As for the extra cockerels, I try to let them get to size but have been known to go to the freezer earlier if they are a nuisance.

On a side note. If you’re looking to supplement all (or most) of the chicken in your diet with your own flock you’re going to need a lot more chickens. There are some meat breeds out there that don’t have the growth rate of a Cornish Xs and might suit your purpose better.

I think I've landed on keeping 10 through winter, and if I see any issues, I'll cull a few more. I'm still trying to figure out how many I'll need to raise for our diet. In many cases, I cook two meals. After I had to cut iron from my diet, while it helped me immensely, my wife became very anemic! She donated blood every 8 weeks and with the low iron diet, it really kicked her butt.
When you mentioned other than cornish X, I've read about rangers. Is that what you're referring to?

thank you for the great advice!

 

[NHMountainMan]

I can answer a couple questions. I think 4-5 chickens will give you a couple dozen eggs a week. The buff orpingtons lay an egg every day most of the year, but only if artificial light is added in the winter for a few hours to lengthen the days. If you don't light the coop, then expect fewer eggs during the shorter days of winter.

I think 4-5 in the coop is fine, but I'm in Washington where it rarely gets below 20 degrees. As for the coop, really the space per chicken should be 4', not 2 or 3, so keep that in mind.

I would cull excess roosters when they are somewhere between 12 and 18 weeks old, and immediately if they start fighting at all. Dual purpose birds can be culled at the same age if what you want is to stock the freezer. They will be a better eating bird. Some people prefer to keep them for a couple years while they are at their peak laying in life and then cull. The draw back is, now you really just have a good soup chicken. That being said, if what you want to do is stock the freezer, you might want to consider a single purpose meat chicken. They will taste better and have better texture.

I hope that helps. I know several other folks on here can speak specifically to the other breeds and will have better advice on harsh winters. Good luck!

Sorry to hear of your journey with cancer. Sending prayers and wishes your way.

thank you for the great advice. And the prayers. I'm blessed to have gotten through the worst. Now we wait to hit 5 years cancer free- and thats one reason we've decided to minimize grocery store food.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

I'm in Florida and don't have any experience with the cold, so I'm out there. I have 5 hens (mixed breeds) and we collect approximately 30 eggs per week. Enough for us, the dogs, the neighbors, and the co-workers from time to time.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Wear a face mask, at least a N95 or better, whenever you are in the coop. That dust isn't good to inhale! Your oncologist might not be pleased about your chicken coop adventure, but do take extra precautions to be safe.
Your chickens are likely to be safer preparing in your kitchen than those store bought ones! It's coop management that's mostly at issue. Consider having someone else do the deep litter clean-out chores anyway.
Mary

Thanks for the advise again Mary - you are a wealth of knowledge. My Drs were actually fine with it. Of course, they also quote that there's no link between industrial agro and cancer, but I figure it can't hurt. But apparently it can if I'm not wearing a mask. I will get some masks or a respirator.

 

[Folly's place]

I prefer the Freedom Rangers too, rather than the Cornishx birds.
Cornishx are the fastest growing most economical choice, but they are pathetic little guys, and I like the slower growing birds who actually run around and 'act like chickens'.
We do prefer heritage breeds, and excess cockerels land in the freezer.
Be prepared to eat chicken that actually tastes like chicken! More flavor! Also not 'mushy'.
Mary

 

[ValerieJ]

thank you for the great advice. And the prayers. I'm blessed to have gotten through the worst. Now we wait to hit 5 years cancer free- and thats one reason we've decided to minimize grocery store food.

On the cancer note, do you make cancer fighting juices? I have recently become a huge believer in masticating juicers for getting the most specific nutrition benefits from fruits and veggies. There are many recipes online.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I'm in Florida and don't have any experience with the cold, so I'm out there. I have 5 hens (mixed breeds) and we collect approximately 30 eggs per week. Enough for us, the dogs, the neighbors, and the co-workers from time to time.

Thanks for giving your egg count! We have no neighbors, and were retired, so we plan on sending any surplus we get to our local food bank. They'll even take chicken. We're thinking of raising some surplus next year to help out.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Thanks for giving your egg count! We have no neighbors, and were retired, so we plan on sending any surplus we get to our local food bank. They'll even take chicken. We're thinking of raising some surplus next year to help out.

Donating does have it's rewards. I always give because it feels good to do so, but in return others feel the need to give back to you. It's a win/win for everybody.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Chickens are fun! You will want eggs, but also 'eye candy', and entertainment, and interesting personalities out there. It may be too early to ID obnoxious flock members, but they will need to be gone too.

I admit that I'm having even more fun with the chickens than I thought I would. I was surprised to see their different personalities! One of our golden buffs follows me around, and if I'm not around, she's right next to the dog. I'm trying not to get attached, as she will be food someday, but she certainly makes me smile.
As for culling all of the cockerels. I think that's the plan. They were supposed to be pullets according to my brother in law. When I posted pics, most said 3 cockerels. When I figure out how, I'll post a link back to those pictures, and post some new ones I took today.
Thanks again

 

[NHMountainMan]

I prefer the Freedom Rangers too, rather than the Cornishx birds.
Cornishx are the fastest growing most economical choice, but they are pathetic little guys, and I like the slower growing birds who actually run around and 'act like chickens'.
We do prefer heritage breeds, and excess cockerels land in the freezer.
Be prepared to eat chicken that actually tastes like chicken! More flavor! Also not 'mushy'.
Mary

Can't wait! I'm now watching craigslist looking for coops or sheds I can convert to a coop next year. Also thinking about a couple of heritage turkeys. I've tried to go slow, as if my health takes a turn, I don't want to stick my wife with "farm" chores, as she did everything she could to et out of them as a kid!