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

[Beekissed]

Quote:
My fave self-sufficiency book! All you crowd need to check out our sister site link at the bottom of your page: SufficientSelf.com
We would LOVE to get your input on our little forum. We are building quite a nice community of like minded folks over there and we love getting new ideas and tossing round a lot of the old ones.
The more people, the more combined knowledge! So come on over, sit a spell, talk about your self-sustaining efforts and ideas!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Quote:
My fave self-sufficiency book! All you crowd need to check out our sister site link at the bottom of your page: SufficientSelf.com
We would LOVE to get your input on our little forum. We are building quite a nice community of like minded folks over there and we love getting new ideas and tossing round a lot of the old ones.
The more people, the more combined knowledge! So come on over, sit a spell, talk about your self-sustaining efforts and ideas!

I signed up there a long time ago, but forget to go there. I liked all the topics about alternative energy and growing your own food, etc. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[featherpants]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news for all you wanna-be self sufficients, out there, but if the Bill that the gov. is trying to pass (HR 2749), passes, your crops, gardens, freedoms, may come to an abrupt halt, via the U.S. government. This bill would technically give the government the right to tresspass upon your land, and not only TELL you what to grow, but also confiscate what you have grown, under the premise of food safety. I would strongly suggest those not familiar with what the gov. is doing, research this PRONTO. Being informed, and aware, and STOPPING this bill dead, will ensure we keep the right to grow what we so wish, in our own back yards, and our own land.
In this day and age, with our freedoms dwindling away, I too, fear an apocolypse. Yes, raising your own food sources, and being as resourceful as possible are dieing traditions. We've lived in an insulated, shock absorbed world. (I don't refer to everyone here, on this thread, but there are a few of us situated in everyday neighborhoods. Myself included! lol.) I wanted to raise chickens for the fresh eggs, and yes, I'm more than willing to share with my neighbors.

Even if they don't have anything to share back. But, I'm afraid this country is headed for a test of wills. Government vs. People. And I've been seriously thinking about all the worst case scenarios. I want to be just one step ahead of the rest. It's better than nothing! And yes, I have a garden. Mom in law lives right across the street, and we share a nice little garden, in her back yard. If worst comes to worst, and I pray that time is not eminant, so I have time to prepare, I'm going to hunker down (thank goodness the kids live close by), and hang on for dear life. And you can bet, my birds will be right with me!

 

[Wifezilla]

You aren't the only one thinking about this stuff.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Guys, please don't make this a political thread.

 

[featherpants]

I apologize, Steff. My good intentions were over shadowed by the fears that have been creeping up on me these last 6 months. I applaud everyone out there that can be truely self sufficient. But without knowledge of events taking place, we will also truely be living in the dark. I just wanted everyone to be aware of what's going on with that bill!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Featherpants, thanks for that.

I guess I figure that if a huge movement of people quietly starts taking care of themselves and their neighbors, not only will life be better for obvious reasons, but the government can't possibly invade the backyard of every self-sufficient family, or even every family with a zucchini plant. I think the government is really into fear. It makes me nuts. I ate peanuts when they told me to be scared of peanut butter.

I like heritage tomatoes, and I have fruit trees.

So about that comfrey...there's so much to learn.

 

[ooohhitskaren]

Ok..I've now added 2 books to my amazon wish list for later purchase!!! WOOHOO!!!

 

[kagedgoddess]

1, featherpants wouldnt that violate our consitutional rights?
2. totally unrelated to polotics, i once checked out this book from the library, but it didnt have a cover and for the life of me i do not know what it was called, it was written in the same era as soylent green and F 457 it was placed in Florida and a nuke attack happened and this guy kinda took over and showed everyone in his town how to survive, he reopened the bank, showed them how to properly bury ppl, hunt etc.... anyone know what that was called??? i really really love that book.

 

[The Zoo]

Being self-sufficient(ish) and taking care of the Earth is just good policy.
That said - does anyone have any other suggestions for books?
So far we have:

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Self Sufficient Gardener (still my gardening bible)

and The Encyclopedia of Country Living

I think if you make your neighbors your friends then you can rely on each other when it matters.
Here in earthquake country that's my biggest fear - that a big one will hit and we'll need to live for a week or more without aid. That's when an earthquake kit and neighbors we can share and trade with come in *very* handy.