Nevadans?

[americanvalkyrie]

Kim, we have 1300 feet here, but 1/3 of that is my massage office and isn't supposed to be used for living space. I still need to research if I can use the office closet for my food storage. As far as brooding chicks and raising seedlings... that happens in the other 2/3, in whatever areas aren't being used for sleeping or preparing food. At least the little kids are outside full time, and the babies still fit in the kennel.

Sunny, do you need me to take my OE early? I know she isn't laying yet, and I think the bronchitis has run through my flock. If you're moving 6/8 then there will be time, anyway, for it to leave IF it's going to. Let's just say I'll always keep antibiotics in my cupboard.

I ordered some of those Happy Hen Treats from Amazon. They were expensive... $15 for a container. At first, the chickens and ducks just eyed them, then after one tasted them, the rest caught on. I love how they float on the water, so I can toss them to the bigger ducklings without worrying about the chickens bullying them away. The dogs insisted on knowing what the fuss was about, so I offered some to them. They ate them... but didn't ask for more. I guess they assume that whatever treats I give the chickens are edible for them, as well. We only used a few handfuls. These things are like gold!

 

[aubreynoramarie]

Kim you crack me up. Perhaps we can just convince you to move to reno, then we will all HAVE to help anyways!

 

[wolftracks]

Kim you crack me up. Perhaps we can just convince you to move to reno, then we will all HAVE to help anyways!

I honestly would, but I can't handle the cold and I hate driving in snow. If I get touched with ice, it feels like I'm being burned. It's aweful. Plus I don't get to go to the cemetery as much as I want to now, and I'd never get to go if I was that far.

 

[NevadaRon]

Just got back from CAL Ranch. They have the rest of their Cornish Rocks on sale for 50 cents each!

So if anyone is thinking meat bird project... you're not going to get them that cheap anywhere! I think they are trying to get rid of them because they have a tendency to stink, since all they do is sit in one spot in front of the trough and eat and poop, and it's nasty diarrhea poop.

I had heard about this but (thanks again BYC), Beekissed (she's a guru of country living - if any of you have had interaction with her on here you know what I'm talking about) had a thread where she was saying that you need to feed them fermented feed. Fermenting the feed not only raises the protein content by as much as 12%, but it also gives the chickens a steady stream of gut bacteria, which normalizes their digestion. They still poop large quantities but it is normal poop, not diarrhea. The chicks are healthier (meaning the meat is too!) and presumably happier since I know I'm never happy when I have diarrhea.

She does it by mixing the mash with water and unfiltered ACV (with the "mother" still active in it), then let it sit for 24 hours, filter and feed. You keep the strained liquid for the next batch, kind of like sourdough bread starter, so it gets better with time.

I may just pick up another 10 - they had some that are a little older so I would then get two "harvests".

 

[VCfeathers]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the help with the guinea fowl /peafowl debate. I had seen the craigslist ad for guinea hatching eggs and am seriously considering them. Also Sunny thanks for the offer to hatch I'll probably take you up on that after your move and everything. Also if you're serious about white peafowl, the only peafowl eggs I could find were mixed and I'm not interested in the white ones. You'd be welcome to keep them if you'd like.


OK next question. How serious are people about cow sharing? Our little mustang mare is in need of a friend, and though I dearly love horses the expense is not something I can afford without a return on it right now. Not to mention we're working on being more self sufficient. I'd be happy to house the cow and care for her in exchange for her feed and care costs. Of course this all would need more consideration. How much milk will people want, where will they pick it up. etc.... But I'm definitely open to the idea since I was already considering it myself.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the help with the guinea fowl /peafowl debate. I had seen the craigslist ad for guinea hatching eggs and am seriously considering them. Also Sunny thanks for the offer to hatch I'll probably take you up on that after your move and everything. Also if you're serious about white peafowl, the only peafowl eggs I could find were mixed and I'm not interested in the white ones. You'd be welcome to keep them if you'd like.


OK next question. How serious are people about cow sharing? Our little mustang mare is in need of a friend, and though I dearly love horses the expense is not something I can afford without a return on it right now. Not to mention we're working on being more self sufficient. I'd be happy to house the cow and care for her in exchange for her feed and care costs. Of course this all would need more consideration. How much milk will people want, where will they pick it up. etc.... But I'm definitely open to the idea since I was already considering it myself.

Getting there and doing the work would be difficult for us, except on a few weekends a month. Providing for the feed and care costs is going to be a lot easier. Using the raw, organic milk for this cheese project I'm thinking of, and offering cheese back to you as part of the payment, might even sweeten the deal. As far as pick up, something in Reno would be much easier for me, but we can travel if necessary. The biggest problem with travel are the gas prices, in our GMC Exxon Valdez. And if people need a good, central location to meet, you can use my house.

Are people still interested in my food swap idea? For people who weren't in the conversation, this is where we meet once a week or so and trade extra food that we have. Garden produce, eggs, milk, homemade pasta, etc. That might be a good place to exchange milk, if everyone was willing to haul it. And Mandy, if you don't quite have your garden going the way you want by then, this is a chance to get more produce.

Ron, 50 cents each is an amazing price! Too bad they stink so badly. We wouldn't have a good spot to raise them. So tempting, though.

 

[2seth2]

The ameracuans are in the coop even though the run isn't done

 

[chickee]

The ameracuans are in the coop even though the run isn't done

That is great!

I'll bet they are enjoying the room to run around!

 

[gaited horse]

Just got back from CAL Ranch. They have the rest of their Cornish Rocks on sale for 50 cents each!  So if anyone is thinking meat bird project... you're not going to get them that cheap anywhere! I think they are trying to get rid of them because they have a tendency to stink, since all they do is sit in one spot in front of the trough and eat and poop, and it's nasty diarrhea poop.
I had heard about this but (thanks again BYC), Beekissed (she's a guru of country living - if any of you have had interaction with her on here you know what I'm talking about) had a thread where she was saying that you need to feed them fermented feed. Fermenting the feed not only raises the protein content by as much as 12%, but it also gives the chickens a steady stream of gut bacteria, which normalizes their digestion. They still poop large quantities but it is normal poop, not diarrhea. The chicks are healthier (meaning the meat is too!) and presumably happier since I know I'm never happy when I have diarrhea.  She does it by mixing the mash with water and unfiltered ACV (with the "mother" still active in it), then let it sit for 24 hours, filter and feed. You keep the strained liquid for the next batch, kind of like sourdough bread starter, so it gets better with time.

I may just pick up another 10 - they had some that are a little older so I would then get two "harvests".

Didn't just go to CAL RANCH on Sunday? Lol we have an addict.

I like the food swap idea. If I wasn't moving I might of started that with rabbit meat

 

[americanvalkyrie]

I like the food swap idea. If I wasn't moving I might of started that with rabbit meat

You're not moving until September, right? I hope to get this started this summer, as soon as each of us are getting enough food to be counted as "extra." Right now I just have lettuce and chard, but by July I hope to be swimming in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and snap beans. I'd gladly trade for some rabbit, since our breeding program is just getting started, and a rabbit or two a week isn't a lot for a family of 4.

I bet there are a LOT of food-sale city codes we can get around by having this be an invite-only event, held at a private residence or rented area, and make it clear that no cash is involved. I can even set up a Facebook page so we can check in to see if anyone will be there, and what will be offered for trade, so we don't end up driving all the way for nothing.