Just getting Started

Date sort Score sort
Welcome to the BYC. You seem like a no nonsense kind of guy. I like that. The one thing I would say is find breeders of the birds you choose. Hatcheries are great for variety and if you want a good egg supply. They tend to want the egg side of production more than the meat side. It is how they make money. The more eggs produced, the more chicks they can hatch and sell. Breeders on the other hand generally strive for the perfect balance set forth in the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection. You will therefore get a more productive, balanced, healthy flock in the end. I would also throw my two cents in there.......the buckeye, in my opinion, is the perfect dual purpose breed. Around 180-220 eggs a year while also giving a great carcass for eating. Not to mention the vibrant color in the yard as well. And they have also been around since 1904. Chicke them out here on byc at https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/803253/the-buckeye-thread/2980 I wish you all the best in your quest for self sustainability. And I also want to thank you for your service to our country. It means a lot to me.
 
Thank you everyone for the links and comments. I'm trying to read as much as I can on here in order to keep the questions straight and to the point. I'm assuming there are members here that are breeders so I'll start looking at that and I'll go from there.

Next will be a discussion on my idea(s) for coops and a run.

Michael
 
welcome-byc.gif
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Buff orpingtons are my personal favorite chicken breed. They are affectionate, friendly, docile, curious, lap hogs, sweet and very cute birds. They are cold hardy and lay large brown eggs daily. You'll love this breed!:)
 
MichaelCox said:
My idea is to farm with Dexter cattle, heritage chickens, and a few other things thrown in the mix. I've been reading and watching a lot of Polyface Farms information and like the way Joel approaches farming so that's the way I'm currently intending to do it when I cash in my chips.

To begin my education I'm going to keep some chickens in the backyard; at the time of this post it is my intent to keep:

Dominiques
New Hampshires
Black Australorps

I am struggling a bit with this because I really do like the Buff Orpingtons but not sure which bird I would replace with it. The Dominiques are a must have for me. I'm a sucker for keeping the old alive. I think if I was to replace any of them it would be the Australorp but I wanted to keep them for their egg production. according to the books I have purchased they are one of the best layers in the dual purpose bird arena.
Click to expand...
Hi, Michael, and welcome to BYC.

I like your ideas and have moved that direction myself, working to integrate more of a holistic approach to my gardening. I don't have room for a lot of cattle, but have been rotating garden with chicken pens to good effect.

Joel's approach is a philosophy that needs to be implemented with a great deal of flexibility based on the ecosystem and economics you are in. Listen to both the land and the market around you before you take the plunge too deep. If you want to talk to someone who has made a firm commitment down this road, I would recommend Jeff Hamons of Synergistic Acres Farm (http://www.synergisticacres.com/) who is committed to marketing heritage beef, pork, turkey, chicken, and a little bit of produce. He raises Galloways (as opposed to Dexters) and can provide a lot of information for you.

My first question to anyone new to chickens is, "What are your goals?" Australorps will be tops for egg production if that is route you" want to take with eggs being your primary protein product, but they aren't much when it comes to meat. Most customers want chicken with fat breasts and white skins in the Midwest, so a lot of folks raise broiler chickens as meat birds. Buckeye chickens are my preferred breed for true dual purpose, but even then, they have smaller breasts and larger thighs and legs than the Cornish birds sold in stores. And bright yellow skin which makes a very tasty broth. But to develop a customer base for these birds, I would have to do a lot of education to get their palates accustomed to the flavor and texture of the birds.

Most of the folks around me in Ohio that raise birds for eggs usually go with one of the popular hybrids like Golden Comets or Black Sex Links. The most popular standard bred chickens are the Australorps, Buff Orps, and Barred Plymouth Rocks. All of these are high yield birds. Since I'm not raising eggs for sale, the Buckeyes, with slightly lower yield, but better dressed carcasses serve my family very well. I also raise market turkeys since my kids show them at the fair. However, the economics of raising turkeys means I lose money on them, but cannot beat the taste.

Are you wanting to farm commercially or just as a sustainability/homesteading type of concern? Also, what is the topography and ecology like where you are? Can you successfully pasture raise livestock on what you hold?

rick
 
Marengoite said:
Hi, Michael, and welcome to BYC.

I like your ideas and have moved that direction myself, working to integrate more of a holistic approach to my gardening. I don't have room for a lot of cattle, but have been rotating garden with chicken pens to good effect.

Joel's approach is a philosophy that needs to be implemented with a great deal of flexibility based on the ecosystem and economics you are in. Listen to both the land and the market around you before you take the plunge too deep. If you want to talk to someone who has made a firm commitment down this road, I would recommend Jeff Hamons of Synergistic Acres Farm (http://www.synergisticacres.com/) who is committed to marketing heritage beef, pork, turkey, chicken, and a little bit of produce. He raises Galloways (as opposed to Dexters) and can provide a lot of information for you.

My first question to anyone new to chickens is, "What are your goals?" Australorps will be tops for egg production if that is route you" want to take with eggs being your primary protein product, but they aren't much when it comes to meat. Most customers want chicken with fat breasts and white skins in the Midwest, so a lot of folks raise broiler chickens as meat birds. Buckeye chickens are my preferred breed for true dual purpose, but even then, they have smaller breasts and larger thighs and legs than the Cornish birds sold in stores. And bright yellow skin which makes a very tasty broth. But to develop a customer base for these birds, I would have to do a lot of education to get their palates accustomed to the flavor and texture of the birds.

Most of the folks around me in Ohio that raise birds for eggs usually go with one of the popular hybrids like Golden Comets or Black Sex Links. The most popular standard bred chickens are the Australorps, Buff Orps, and Barred Plymouth Rocks. All of these are high yield birds. Since I'm not raising eggs for sale, the Buckeyes, with slightly lower yield, but better dressed carcasses serve my family very well. I also raise market turkeys since my kids show them at the fair. However, the economics of raising turkeys means I lose money on them, but cannot beat the taste.

Are you wanting to farm commercially or just as a sustainability/homesteading type of concern? Also, what is the topography and ecology like where you are? Can you successfully pasture raise livestock on what you hold?

rick
Click to expand...

Hello Rick,

Thanks for the link I will study that when I get a moment. Now let me try and answer your questions.

As far as the topography I can't tell you as of yet. I'm looking at several Counties in several States, I have a list that I am scrubbing on a regular. There are some criteria that I am looking for before I buy the land. Taxes, Population, Govt. (State, City, County) oversight, Precipitation, Climate, Avg. price/acre, and so on.

Farming commercially? I wouldn't call it that; I'm thinking more of selling some meat, eggs, soap, fruits and veggies at farmers market and/or on the farm where and when possible. Not looking to make a fortune. If it happens we make money great.

"But to develop a customer base for these birds, I would have to do a lot of education to get their palates accustomed to the flavor and texture of the birds."

The above comment you made is very true. I think as Americans/humans most people are fine with being told what is good and what they should like and they go with it. This is a bit of a bigoted statement but if you get enough people on your side I think it's doable. I ate chicken on the farm when I was a kid that my grandmother would kill and cook and it was just fine so I wonder about the mentality that we have to have a certain chicken at a certain age or it's garbage.

My goals are still in development if you will. I'd like to raise heritage animals even if we end up using X bird for meat and just use the others listed or at least two for eggs. I would however raise the Dominiques regardless, just to do my part keeping an animal that helped build this Country.

Hope all that made sense. Lastly I'm under no illusion that my plans can change as I learn/grow.

Michael



sunflour said:
welcome-byc.gif
Glad you joined us.
Click to expand...

Thank you.
 
Keep talking, Michael.

Doms are a good breed. You should get plenty of eggs if you get a good line.

And yes, commercial doesn't mean you'll get rich, but hopefully you'll make your feed back and maybe a little for your time.

I wish you all the best. It's great to raise your own food.
 
Michael, welcome to BYC. Good luck in achieving your goals - the breeds that you are considering should suit your needs. I too agree that the Buckeye is another breed that you might want to consider.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom