Capstone118
In the Brooder
- Nov 28, 2023
- 2
- 20
- 21
Hello,
I guess you could say I’m a long time observer but new member. There have been many times I done an online search on a chicken related question and this site shows up often.
I worked with chickens in many different aspects since about 1977 but not as a full time job. Some of my experiences include caring for and gathering eggs when I was a helper on a family farm; some time in a commercial egg processing plant; helping crate and move chickens at the end of their laying cycle; and now in a less commercial aspect in my semi retirement in 2008 keeping about a dozen laying hens of my own for my home use and to share with my neighbors.
In my semi retirement I founded and operate a non profit that grows and shares food with those in need in our neighborhood. We are based and I live in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, LA. I keep a variety of different chicken breeds. Mostly what others are giving away or selling cheaply. We have lots of feral Roosters and Chickens in New Orleand but Roosters are illegal to keep in the city so I end up acquiring fertile eggs to incubate, chicks, or hens from whatever sources I can.
I also have a variety of other animals. Two goats, four ducks, lots of large fish in a 4,500 gallon aquaculture system with grow beds I raise produce in. We’ve planted and maintained about 75 fruit and citrus trees in the Lower 9th Ward since 2010.
Last but not least is “Buddy”, my Great Pyrenees mix dog who’s about 9 years old. You better not mess with his animals. He watches over them closely. My animals free range on 4 side by side city lots fenced in (about 12,000 square feet). As it gets dark Buddy goes to make sure everyone is in their pens for the night and I‘ve lost fewer chickens to possums or raccoons in the 4 years I’ve had Buddy than when I tried to keep them secured. The only problem is he thinks when there is an intruder rather than just chase them away he brings them in the house. Twice I have looked over and there lays a possum, in the living room, still unharmed but “playing possum” while Buddy is napping beside it.
David Young
I guess you could say I’m a long time observer but new member. There have been many times I done an online search on a chicken related question and this site shows up often.
I worked with chickens in many different aspects since about 1977 but not as a full time job. Some of my experiences include caring for and gathering eggs when I was a helper on a family farm; some time in a commercial egg processing plant; helping crate and move chickens at the end of their laying cycle; and now in a less commercial aspect in my semi retirement in 2008 keeping about a dozen laying hens of my own for my home use and to share with my neighbors.
In my semi retirement I founded and operate a non profit that grows and shares food with those in need in our neighborhood. We are based and I live in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, LA. I keep a variety of different chicken breeds. Mostly what others are giving away or selling cheaply. We have lots of feral Roosters and Chickens in New Orleand but Roosters are illegal to keep in the city so I end up acquiring fertile eggs to incubate, chicks, or hens from whatever sources I can.
I also have a variety of other animals. Two goats, four ducks, lots of large fish in a 4,500 gallon aquaculture system with grow beds I raise produce in. We’ve planted and maintained about 75 fruit and citrus trees in the Lower 9th Ward since 2010.
Last but not least is “Buddy”, my Great Pyrenees mix dog who’s about 9 years old. You better not mess with his animals. He watches over them closely. My animals free range on 4 side by side city lots fenced in (about 12,000 square feet). As it gets dark Buddy goes to make sure everyone is in their pens for the night and I‘ve lost fewer chickens to possums or raccoons in the 4 years I’ve had Buddy than when I tried to keep them secured. The only problem is he thinks when there is an intruder rather than just chase them away he brings them in the house. Twice I have looked over and there lays a possum, in the living room, still unharmed but “playing possum” while Buddy is napping beside it.
David Young
I'm still giggling. Thanks for sharing this delightful story!
