Hi! I grew up on a family farm in south-western Nova Scotia. We grew most of our own food for the year, raised cattle, chickens, and the occaisional pig. I now live in Northern Manitoba. I was asked to take part in a provincial sustainability project - raising chickens -- because of the fact that I was a farm kid.
At the beginning of June, several of my coworkers and I took on the project of raising 50 birds -- 25 Delawarelayers and 25 meatkings. I started the chicks out in brooding boxes in our school. Our maitenance man built our coop out behind my teacherage, and our custodian, principal and maitenance man took care of the chickens during the month of July when I was out of the community.
Since my return in August, we've dressed all the meatbirds, and are now trying to fatten up the cockerels contingent of our Delawares. The program heads had to have bought un-sexed chicks, because I have more than half cockerels. It's quite the alarm clock every morning!
Our students have fed and help raise the chickens. Several drop by each day to cut grass for the birds. Kids will sit at the fence and hand feed the birds lettuce that has gone over from our gardens, or pea pods... or just grass. At the end of September we'll dress the cockerels, and have students help with the process.
I found out about BYC through google. I was looking for information on keeping my coop warm this winter, as our temperatures in my part of Manitoba can fall below -40. I have no idea how we'll proceed once the snow flies, but I am reassured that I'll be able to find the information I need here -- especially since I've seen some members who are in ALASKA!
My other hobbies? I've started a Dog Scouts of America Troop in my community to hopefully improve the well-being of dogs and the knowledge base and practices of my community.
I am a teacher by profession. I work in a multigrade 7-8-9 classroom. I love my job. I have two cats and one dog -- Sunny, a cocker spaniel, is very much a chicken enthusiast. HE LOVES the chickens.
I am really hoping that the winter goes well and our layers survive. I would like to use any eggs we get in our Life Skills and Home Economics programs, and as gifts to Elders in our community.
WOW! Sorry for going on and on!
~Miki
At the beginning of June, several of my coworkers and I took on the project of raising 50 birds -- 25 Delawarelayers and 25 meatkings. I started the chicks out in brooding boxes in our school. Our maitenance man built our coop out behind my teacherage, and our custodian, principal and maitenance man took care of the chickens during the month of July when I was out of the community.
Since my return in August, we've dressed all the meatbirds, and are now trying to fatten up the cockerels contingent of our Delawares. The program heads had to have bought un-sexed chicks, because I have more than half cockerels. It's quite the alarm clock every morning!
Our students have fed and help raise the chickens. Several drop by each day to cut grass for the birds. Kids will sit at the fence and hand feed the birds lettuce that has gone over from our gardens, or pea pods... or just grass. At the end of September we'll dress the cockerels, and have students help with the process.
I found out about BYC through google. I was looking for information on keeping my coop warm this winter, as our temperatures in my part of Manitoba can fall below -40. I have no idea how we'll proceed once the snow flies, but I am reassured that I'll be able to find the information I need here -- especially since I've seen some members who are in ALASKA!
My other hobbies? I've started a Dog Scouts of America Troop in my community to hopefully improve the well-being of dogs and the knowledge base and practices of my community.
I am a teacher by profession. I work in a multigrade 7-8-9 classroom. I love my job. I have two cats and one dog -- Sunny, a cocker spaniel, is very much a chicken enthusiast. HE LOVES the chickens.
I am really hoping that the winter goes well and our layers survive. I would like to use any eggs we get in our Life Skills and Home Economics programs, and as gifts to Elders in our community.
WOW! Sorry for going on and on!
~Miki
from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. Your students are very fortunate. 
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