For the record, I didn't read all the posts on this thread. I read the first couple of pages, but it was more than enough to get the gist that everyone here seems to agree that the op needs a lesson in HOPE.
I ordered my first chickens July 19 of last year. Did I get the right breed? Um, no. Its called learning. I have since realized that my production reds aren't likely to produce chicks for me, so in search of broody hens I go. With all of the people that are "flocking" to chickens, something must be up. I bet most are like me... tired of depending on the gubment for everything. Our last few administrations seem to be hell bent on destroying this once great land. Our response has been to go back to raising chickens, goats, gardening, and whatever else we can do to increase our odds of surviving what ever they throw at us. Are we gonna get it all right our first time? Of course not. But the knowing of how to do something puts you that much closer to self sufficiency.
Please understand, I hate with all of my being (R)s and (D)s and what they stand for. None of them will save us. That said, to rural folk we talk of homesteading and preparedness. Modern day liberals and greenies talk about buying local, organic, and sustainability. Its all basically the same idea.
As a member on Survival and Preparedness forums on other sites, I see the need for all of us, as individuals, to do what we can to prepare for the worst. If you don't garden, then start now. You will find that no matter the flavor, gardeners will help you. So to will chicken owners and those with goats, rabbits, and so on.
I did see one post where someone mentioned not knowing how to figure on how much to garden. While different areas have different soil and weather, a good general rule is to contact your local extension office. Here in SC, our state ag school is Clemson University. They put out a paper that is found in most garden centers, and has a breakdown of how much total space and how much of different vegetables. For us, its 2500sqft per person, or a 50x50 garden for every family member. Some veggies can be grown in bulk and stored, like potatoes and onions. After researching myself, I also see that if you double that number, you can also grow your own grains. Hand powered grain mills are perfect for such purposes. Having at least one small livestock animal will also provide plenty of free fertilizer, and grinding bones or eggshells provides the calcium to add to those few plants that require lots of it.
I also recommend everyone learn a crafting skill, especially one that can utilize native materials or for those to close to civilization, one that relies on scavenging and recycling. Cars provide, literally, tons of wonderful raw materials that can be crafted into most anything we need. Springs are among the best blade steels, copper wiring can be melted and cast, as can aluminum. If you have access to woodlands, hewing logs for timber framing and even turning the scraps into charcoal are great ideas.
Robert J. Oppenheimer famously quoted the "Bhagavad Vita" upon producing the first atomic bomb.
"If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the coming of the mighty one. I am become death, the shatterer of worlds."
Sounds pretty powerful. It isn't. The most dangerous force on earth is people without hope. I don't mean "hope and change" kinda bs. I mean the kind that emanates from within the soul like a river of pure love. People without real hope will follow the whims of any madman promising it. Hope cannot be given to you, purchased for you, or popped like pills. There are many that can teach you where to find it, but it comes with the ultimate price tag. As an individual, you must work to cultivate it within yourself and those under your charge.
You will always reap what you sow.
