Homesteaders

[RichnSteph]

I look at your hen and the roo how do you keep the hen looking so good with a roo my roo is hard on my hens I have 25 hens

I know this wasn't directed at me but I felt the need to chime in. It all depends on the rooster. We have two in our flock of 20+. The dominant one is a 3 year old Buff Orpinton and even with 2" spurs none of the hens are missing feathers. The other is a 10 month old Barred Rock/Orpington cross who is HUGE and even he is gentle on the hens on the rare occasion that he's able to *ahem* attend them. We had three other roosters that were hatched at the same time as the BR/O and all three of them ended up in the freezer since they were terrible to the hens when they started maturing. If your rooster is tearing up the hens it might be advisable to get a new rooster.

 

[rancher hicks]

I know this wasn't directed at me but I felt the need to chime in. It all depends on the rooster. We have two in our flock of 20+. The dominant one is a 3 year old Buff Orpinton and even with 2" spurs none of the hens are missing feathers. The other is a 10 month old Barred Rock/Orpington cross who is HUGE and even he is gentle on the hens on the rare occasion that he's able to *ahem* attend them. We had three other roosters that were hatched at the same time as the BR/O and all three of them ended up in the freezer since they were terrible to the hens when they started maturing. If your rooster is tearing up the hens it might be advisable to get a new rooster.

Definitley chime in.

I had a roo with long spurs and bought a dremel to trim them. Unfortunately he passed before I could. I think some roosters are harder on the hens than others.

 

[Loc20chick]

@rancher hicks what breeds are your chickens?

 

[rancher hicks]

@rancher hicks what breeds are your chickens?

I have Delaware, Columbian rocks, Birchen marans, Easter Eggers and the odd frizzle, araucana and light sussex.

I also have a trio of young Marsh Daisies. Not sure how I feel about them. They are friendly. Found them on the stoop one day at the kitchen door inside the garage. They're fliers though. Still they're friendly and will follow you around.

 

[Loc20chick]

I have Delawares too that I hatched this spring, I had not heard of the Colombian rocks but from what I see they seem like good birds to have.
I'm always looking to see what additions I can add that will both supply me with eggs and meat...

 

[rancher hicks]

I have Delawares too that I hatched this spring, I had not heard of the Colombian rocks but from what I see they seem like good birds to have.
I'm always looking to see what additions I can add that will both supply me with eggs and meat...

the C. Rock line I have is the line for you. Large birds, so so layers though.

I always suggest a variety of breeds so you're covered all year long. My Dels and Marans are good cold weather layers. Ee's too. C. Rocks are large for meat, but will supply you with eggs. I also keep more than one rooster of each incase, as last year, I lose one. I lost my Marans rooster and had his son to replace him. You can always keep a young one growing out.

The old "don't put all your eggs in one chicken breed" is a good one to follow for the hobby farmer.

I believe the same holds true for other animals as well.

It's my understanding that the Potato famine in Ireland was due to them planting one kind of potato. I could be wrong.

Now while visiting TX I noticed that there were only two types of taters. Russet and "white". Here we in NY we have blue, Yukon gold, white, red, yellows AND russets.

Sorry I do run on,

Rancher

 

[jerrey]

glad you picked up my post thanks I found a way to take the spurs off I know this is going to sound funny but it really does work I my self could not believe it OK bake a potato 8 to 10 min. cut in half put in foil put half of potato on the spur for 2 or 3 min. you can use your fingers or plyers it just slid right off couldn't believe it good luck did not bleed

 

[Talithahorse]

How much of the spur did you cover with the potato (how close to the base of it) I have an old rooster whose spurs are very long. I would love it if it was that easy. He is an old rooster and I don't want to traumatize him anymore than he is having survived about every attack imaginable... hawk, fox, owl, dog, etc...

 

[rancher hicks]

glad you picked up my post thanks I found a way to take the spurs off I know this is going to sound funny but it really does work I my self could not believe it OK bake a potato 8 to 10 min. cut in half put in foil put half of potato on the spur for 2 or 3 min. you can use your fingers or plyers it just slid right off couldn't believe it good luck did not bleed

How much of the spur did you cover with the potato (how close to the base of it) I have an old rooster whose spurs are very long. I would love it if it was that easy. He is an old rooster and I don't want to traumatize him anymore than he is having survived about every attack imaginable... hawk, fox, owl, dog, etc...

I have heard of this method. Perhaps there is a Youtube video of the operation.

 

[henless]

I have heard of this method. Perhaps there is a Youtube video of the operation.

I watched a couple on Youtube. Looked easy, but then a lot of stuff looks easy.

I've been reading the thread. learning lots of useful stuff from everyone. I don't think dh and I could be called "homesteaders", but we do what we can. I don't think we will ever go off the grid due to our age. We're not old, but not young enough to go that route. We have 3 acres and a stock pond. We have chickens, compost pile and raised garden beds. I plan on putting in a small orchard this fall along with building some more raised beds. We have also installed a wood heater to help out with the electricity.