How to become self-sufficient (kinda) with chickens.

[ranchhand]

Quote:
I love that book! That was why I became a vegetarian.

YOu wanted your chickens to learn responsibility?

Okay, Rule #1 for any sustainable farmer- NEVER lose your sense of humor, it will carry you through the hard times!

 

[mylilchix]

Quote:
I love that book! That was why I became a vegetarian.

YOu wanted your chickens to learn responsibility?

Ooops, no my children altough some of my chickens should learn responsibilty. I have one who keeps laying in the run and NOT the nest boxes! LOL

 

[ranchhand]

I have one who laid her eggs from the roost bar! Splat!

 

[PeepsInc]

Someone just posted a government site that gives away free seeds. I just subscribed for everything from corn,seed grasses to tobacco. The deal is you have to do a research project with them. What better research than producing your own feed.

FREE!

 

[mylilchix]

Quote:
What's the link?

 

[ranchhand]

Not to go political again, since this thread is not political, but I certainly don't want to be part of government research!

 

[stacym]

I'll jump back in with what the post orginally wanted to know about feeding chickens. Having come from a farm background, it may take more acreage than you have to produce enough food. Depends on how many chickens you have,what part of the country you live in. My dad just had to plow up several acres of oats because the weeds got a better start than the oats. Of course he also quit using the chemicals he use to use when he had 800 acres in cultivation.(has ten in retirement)
Saw a lady who was talking about root cellaring. I would love to learn the techinicals on the temp and humidity. I can't get a straight answer from my dad. He took a water cistern and cut open one side made steps and new sides from cement. He then added a heavy wooden door covered with old steel siding. Its the end of July and he sold his last fall's crop of 300 pounds of potatoes. They were just starting to develope eye sprouts,but were still solid and tasted fantastic! All I really know is that it's very cool inside,has a vent on the outside and that the humidity is important-he goes by feel.
It amazes me how much he knows about farming/homesteading. I have a college education and I can't touch him in the knowledge dept.

 

[PeepsInc]

FREE SEEDs......... Grow food for free! It could be that the government wants a few of us to know how to survive.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=220453

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Keep picking his brain, that's a real well of knowledge there!

 

[hikerchick]

Quote:
My first paranoid thought is that they are all genetically modified organisms from Monsanto or someplace like that; you plant them and they wipe out all of your heirlooms.

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't really out to get you.