Hi! I live in the Northeast Corner of Tennessee. I have had chickens off and on since 1998. But only a few at a time. in 2024, Hurricane Helene came through and destroyed everything. We had like our own little community with 5 houses that family lived in. We are directly on the Nolichucky River. When North Carolina open their Dam Floodgates, it roared down the Nolichucky like a jetliner crashing, clearing everything in its path. I did have a very small farm many years ago. I guess Im considered elderly now, lol. Eventhough I have health issues, the birds calm me.
In looking for assistance to help repair the land itself, I was connected with USDA, who had a long term proposal for assistance, to which part of it is turning some of our land into farming. I elected to do a "Egg" farm. But unlike previous times, I purchased hatchlings.
I hand raised each bird, and what a difference that made for me. Im very connected and attached to my birds. Prior I just purchased adult birds. Because of the "Egg" variety goal, I got big chickens, bantams, ducks, guineas, and quail. I never had bantams or ducks before. Now 8 months in, I probably will just focus on my chickens and quail long term. At this time I have 40ish large chickens, 14 bantams, 15 ducks, 10 large quail and 2 button quail, 4 guineas. I also have 12 quail eggs in the incubator. They are eating me to the poor house. I have not turned them loose because we have Bald Eagles and Hawks right here. The big ones are providing between 13-16 eggs daily. They just started laying about a month ago. I have one bantam laying.
In looking for assistance to help repair the land itself, I was connected with USDA, who had a long term proposal for assistance, to which part of it is turning some of our land into farming. I elected to do a "Egg" farm. But unlike previous times, I purchased hatchlings.
I hand raised each bird, and what a difference that made for me. Im very connected and attached to my birds. Prior I just purchased adult birds. Because of the "Egg" variety goal, I got big chickens, bantams, ducks, guineas, and quail. I never had bantams or ducks before. Now 8 months in, I probably will just focus on my chickens and quail long term. At this time I have 40ish large chickens, 14 bantams, 15 ducks, 10 large quail and 2 button quail, 4 guineas. I also have 12 quail eggs in the incubator. They are eating me to the poor house. I have not turned them loose because we have Bald Eagles and Hawks right here. The big ones are providing between 13-16 eggs daily. They just started laying about a month ago. I have one bantam laying.
Welcome aboard the BYC, and don't hesitate to ask your questions!
