Kim in Spain
In the Brooder
- Aug 26, 2023
- 7
- 53
- 46
Hello all!
My husband and I retired to Spain from England and bought an olive farm, acquiring chickens at the same time. Fortunately I'd kept chickens and bantams when starting at home with our 3 babies, the pleasure of which was shared with our neighbours, who'd bring their veggie offcuts and enjoy the eggs. I don't like eggs, personally, but love my pets until they have to become dinner (excess males). So it wasn't a shock to me to have to adopt me birds once we relocated. I love their individuality, the cheeky characters of some, the chattering of others that tell me their stories or complain about the fellas (Mrs Baldy), the fights they have with other hens (Mrs Brown and Bárbarella) and the attention I get from all of them when I bring them things of tuna or the blue treat bucket!
We're also lucky that we have sensible gets that know that farmers won't waste money on a vet for chicken ailments and provide you with antibiotics to administer yourself. I'm fortunate that I've only had to use it once, as a precaution, 4 years ago, but now my experience tells me how to deal with issues. Currently I'm offering 3 excess roosters to the local feed supplier to bring my male to female ratio back down to where it should be, just to avoid having to add any to the freezer. Although a necessary part of animal husbandry, it's not the easiest or nicest part.
I hope I can help others within my area of experience at some time - hence the reason for joining BYC.
My husband and I retired to Spain from England and bought an olive farm, acquiring chickens at the same time. Fortunately I'd kept chickens and bantams when starting at home with our 3 babies, the pleasure of which was shared with our neighbours, who'd bring their veggie offcuts and enjoy the eggs. I don't like eggs, personally, but love my pets until they have to become dinner (excess males). So it wasn't a shock to me to have to adopt me birds once we relocated. I love their individuality, the cheeky characters of some, the chattering of others that tell me their stories or complain about the fellas (Mrs Baldy), the fights they have with other hens (Mrs Brown and Bárbarella) and the attention I get from all of them when I bring them things of tuna or the blue treat bucket!
We're also lucky that we have sensible gets that know that farmers won't waste money on a vet for chicken ailments and provide you with antibiotics to administer yourself. I'm fortunate that I've only had to use it once, as a precaution, 4 years ago, but now my experience tells me how to deal with issues. Currently I'm offering 3 excess roosters to the local feed supplier to bring my male to female ratio back down to where it should be, just to avoid having to add any to the freezer. Although a necessary part of animal husbandry, it's not the easiest or nicest part.
I hope I can help others within my area of experience at some time - hence the reason for joining BYC.
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
