New Mexico

[Peep_Show]

Loved this....

 

[FridayYet]

Loved this....

 

[Zoomie]

@Peep_Show LOL! Too funny!!

Welcome to all the new NM peeps!

So glad to see you here!

There was a question about eating older hens. They are good to eat. You might prepare them differently, such as in a crock pot or a long simmered stew, but they are delicious. I don't believe there is a place that does chickens... anyone know of one? What happened in my area was, the laws were changed to favor the big businesses and all the little slaughter businesses went out of business. Now I would need to drive all the way up to Raton, and there might be a slaughter business down south of Belen. But now there are not many in the state, anymore, very sadly.

It does not take a lot of strength to butcher a chicken, fortunately, or I would not be able to do it. There are actually resources right here on this very site that have helpful photos and tips. Anyone interested in doing their own can surely learn, and it's not at all hard to do. And personally? I think it's way easier on the chicken, to be done at home. That way they don't travel to a strange place, and are not handled by people they do not know. Those can be frightening experiences for a chicken, so although it might be hard for the human, it is easier on the bird.

 

[mirrorphantom]

Thank you for the wonderful information. We picked up two sweet little Americaunas (although I suspect they are actually Easter Eggers). They had silkies that I wanted so bad but opted for the sexed chicks.

 

[Gojichicken]

...

Well, not me.... originally from Ohio, here, but wish I'd been born in New Mexico. Moving here was like coming home, finally. 

How is everyone doing? My chicken news: I had 4 Svart Höna chicks, but 3 turned out to be cockerels...   So alas, two now reside in the freezer. I kept the one I felt was the most beautiful and now have a lovely pair. Also now have a pair of beautiful Barnevelders, as well, for my smaller coop. We are working on a very strong and tough coop and are getting close to done, so it will be fun to finally get chickens in it, even if it's just a pair. Hey, you have to start somewhere! 

Meantime having a hard time going crazy and planting every seed I can find.   Spring fever is hitting in earnest. Are the rest of you bringing home little baby plants yet? They have not started to set them out at the stores yet, here, at our elevation. Which is good or I'd have a bunch of orphan plants living on the porch, it's supposed to snow here on Saturday!!


Hi there it's nice to see that I'm not the only one going crazy with planting!! I started my raised garden a month ago and it's doing good however I worry about our NM sun, it's pretty hot here in Belen so I mist my garden around 2 or 3 to keep the plants cooler during the hottest part of the day. I also planted my seeds a while back and put them in my garden wagon and took the wagon inside at night and outside during the day their doing well and are ready to plant. I'm still seed happy trying to companion planting as well as herbs and flowers that will be used in the nesting boxes or fed to our 7 hens and a suprise rooster

Happy planting!

 

[VeggieGoneEggie]

Does anyone know of a Santa Fe-area veterinarian that you see about chicken health? My go-to vet for my dogs could do basic wound care for my new poultry pals but wouldn't have the expertise to advise on chicken-specific health issues & husbandry...

 

[Peep_Show]

Perhaps contact your local county agricultural extension?

It's a good question. I have no idea of any down here in ABQ area. Peeps?

 

[FridayYet]

I asked at Southwest Veterinary Medical Center, and they said that one, maybe two of their vets see chickens. It's been a while, so I'd call ahead and check. They are in NW Abq on Coors near Alameda.

 

[JennSF]

Hi all, my name is Jennifer - forum newbie and moved to New Mexico a few months ago. I'm in Santa Fe County off 14th, not far from the movie set. My avatar shows the little barn I want to convert to a hen house. I have to figure out how to make it like Fort Knox so my girls will be safe.

 

[FridayYet]

Welcome Jennifer!