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

[The Zoo]

I think you can grow mushrooms on the straw bales too!

We used the straw we put on the pen floor of our chicken coop as mulch for the garden when we first started planting things this year - it's worked *really* well. Kept down weeds and has slowly started being turned into compost.

Mojo - my self sufficient gardener guy would say Compost Compost Compost for turning lousy soil into something you can grow things in

 

[Beekissed]

Being more self-sufficient IS empowerment. It doesn't mean one is out there hoarding and isolating theirselves to ride out a storm. Its being aware, learning skills, preparing for the worst and creating a sense of community. The more food we grow and preserve, the more food on the store shelves for those of you who are dependent upon such things!

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
That would be cool - I've been eyeing those mushroom kits on logs for awhile now

yes, I do need to compost - we've been here for two years, now, and have been so busy, the garden is the bottom of the list, unfortunately. Next year - I keep promising myself.

Luckily I have 8 donkeys and the area where their (round bale) hay is is perfect dirt/manure mix. I moved the bale a month or so ago to a new place - so I can "gather" me some great compost starter from there. (ETA hubby joked that I ought to fence off the old hay bale area and just plant right there)

Also recently added in calves (we are up to 4 bottle calves so far, working on probably having 12 before I'm done for this round) and cleaning their pens gives me plenty of compost ammo, too.

meri

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
yep, I look at it this way -

being self sufficient is great for my family and the environment, and if the world does happen to go to heck, then what good would we be to our neighbors if we had no skill to begin with? we'd be leeching off them and their skills and storage. Not part of the solution, but rather part of the problem.

In the meantime - being self sufficient is cheaper way to live and more healthy and WAY more satisfying than being a random consumer.

Like Thoreau suggested - Live Deliberately.

meri

 

[angelib1]

Well said.
Also there is the pride in accomplishment(you know the wow I did that). Also the knowing I can feed my family if something happens tomorrow(like DH lossing his job or whatever). I've always been a can do kid I really enjoy it. and no one can take that away.

 

[tulie13]

Mojo Chick'n :

Quote:
yep, ya can't figure out other people's perceptions or plan for them - so just say what ya mean and let the rest of them figure out what ya meant

they'll try to second guess your words anyway, whether you state them clearly or not.

oh, and I might plan for the zombie attack... still working on my aim

meri

Check out this motivational poster...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wmode/337059722/​

 

[tulie13]

Quote:
Nothing wrong with sharing, but I wont just hand my stuff over to whoever. Anyone who wants to EARN food, I am more than happy to give honest work to.

Want one of my ducks? Lets bargain. I need a new axe handle. Can you carve wood? If not, do you have some beef or produce? What about some seeds? What will make us both glad to have entered the transaction.

I am totally in to win/win.

Now, someone DEMANDS my stuff, tries to steal my stuff, or otherwise feels they are entitled to my stuff? Well...I have a compost pile too

And this gives new meaning to the term SSS...

 

[Beekissed]

Waste not, want not......

 

[Wifezilla]

I wonder if I could get away with growing winter wheat as a lawn in the front. I have no grass to speak of.

White clover makes a great lawn substitute.

Being more self-sufficient IS empowerment. It doesn't mean one is out there hoarding and isolating theirselves to ride out a storm.

It's is both actually. At least in my case. What is wrong with having a stash of food? Why does that make some people suspicious?

By self sufficient I meant that I don't want to have to go to the grocery store and buy produce and eggs that have been shipped in from somewhere else. Not that I'm building 8 foot fences and buying a gun to keep the zombies away

8'!!! My fence is only 6'!!! Darn it!​

 

[angelib1]

ZOMBIE PREPAREDNESS

My aim happens to be very good!

Though I'd be worried more about the illegals in my area, and the gangs.