North Carolina

[CricketR4]

Good morning! Funny story: yesterday we were cleaning out the area in our barn where we keep the garbage cans since a skunk got in there and ripped everything to shreds. We found a nest inside a cardboard box with 7 eggs in it. I've been wondering where one of my bantam girls was laying...

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

So...those of you who do the fermented feed...can anyone give me a ratio of feed to ACV?? I have seen all over the place about the benefits of fermentation, but I cannot find a ratio of how much ACV (with mother) to add to the feed?!? We are getting "low" on feed and our next delivery isn't until this weekend, so I am hoping to do a batch of fermented feed either today or tomorrow to see how well they like it, but can't for the life of me find out how much ACV. Is there anything else you NEED to put in there aside from the obvious (feed, water, ACV)?? Thanks in advance!!

 

[choptank330]

Good morning everyone.. My rooster got attacked yesterday morning. I gave him a warm bath and washed all the blood off. Put some vasealine on his comb and wattles. Well this morning one of his eyes are swollen shut. What can I put on his eyes???

 

[choptank330]

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Good early morning folks!!
Long/rough night last night for the youngest; however, this mama enjoyed her cuddle session even at the expense of some quality sleep!!

Thank you Hollow & others for your input on the cow situation. My grandparents use to raise cows, my daddy worked on their farm and I too have heard wonderful stories about all the things you can do! If we could afford it, we would go with miniature jersey cows, but the price tag and associated health problems have us scared a bit!! We are still probably a year away from deciding on what animal we'll get. We chose the cow only because of their ease in raising in comparison to sheep (the bonus is we know a bunch of people from church who raise cattle on a large scale & have offered to help/mentor - even teaching us how to hand milk...WOOT!!) Before we do anything, we always research!! This spring the girls and I are going out to one of the farms to see how "things are done" and have an introductory lesson. Who knows, I may be scarred/scared for life and stick to chickens!!

Today is looking quite lovely outside...those of you who are facing the work week, I hope you have a great day...those of you who work from home/stay at home...I hope your day is a great one as well!

NH, one thing I learned after being raised on a homestead with cows, goats, chickens, etc., and then researching for years while hubby was in the military...researching is only good to a point. The hands-on is the make or break. Lots of things looked good to us on paper and with my childhood memories, but did NOT work for us at all. Guineas, for example. Loved them as a kid, hated them on our place. I love geese and muscovies, but again, they don't work on our place. Tried them both out. Even though I was raised handmilking cows, it's only been after 10 years on our place that I decided to give a go at raising meat calves. Even a nice, gentle cow can hurt someone, and not even notice, just because of their size.

All that babbling is to say...make sure you get some apprenticeship time working with cows before you buy one. Enough that you know you want to do all that is necessary. Then you'll know if that's what you want. But I'm a little gun shy. You would not believe the notebooks full of research I did over 20 years of military time, waiting until we got our place. There are still a few things I'd like to try, but there are LOTS of things that I tried and that just did not work for us at all. Lots of money and time was invested because I figured all that research made me knowledgeable. But it's not enough without the hands-on. I should have known better, too. I'm a biologist, for Pete's sake. I know all the research is preliminary, but I somehow didn't apply that to myself.

Not trying to be discouraging; just realistic. This forum is so enabling and Rah! Rah! Rah! that it's easy to get in over our heads. I'm learning self-control here! Hard learning curve, too!

 

[busymadre]

Seems like most of you here on this site stay home and have a large scale "farm-like" homestead. Kinda feel out of place with my 6 chicks. I work full time (4 day s a week - 10 hours per day). Just doing this as a hobby and for the fresh eggs. Anyone else out there like me?
I have heard so many saying they need to get more chicks than they really want because of chicks dying. Thankfully, mine are doing well and seem healthy. They really love spinach leaves and clamor to the door of the pen when I come by hoping for a treat. I hold on tight while they all peck away at each leaf. Don't seem as thrilled about broccoli though.
We do have one smaller chick that I keep an eye on. Kinda the runt of the group. She's also the most friendly when it comes to sitting in my hand. They are about 2 weeks old now.

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

Good morning folks

I do not like this new format for BYC.
I'm finding it difficult to find anything and
seems no more color choice for font or the cute
little emoticons.......booo. This is giving me
a sour mood and that is not how I want to start
my day.......hope your day is a good one.

 

[BHep]

Good morning folks

I do not like this new format for BYC.
I'm finding it difficult to find anything and
seems no more color choice for font or the cute
little emoticons.......booo. This is giving me
a sour mood and that is not how I want to start
my day.......hope your day is a good one.

all the same for me here..maybe just working on the sight ..

 

[The Howards]

Seems like most of you here on this site stay home and have a large scale "farm-like" homestead. Kinda feel out of place with my 6 chicks. I work full time (4 day s a week - 10 hours per day). Just doing this as a hobby and for the fresh eggs. Anyone else out there like me?
I have heard so many saying they need to get more chicks than they really want because of chicks dying. Thankfully, mine are doing well and seem healthy. They really love spinach leaves and clamor to the door of the pen when I come by hoping for a treat. I hold on tight while they all peck away at each leaf. Don't seem as thrilled about broccoli though.
We do have one smaller chick that I keep an eye on. Kinda the runt of the group. She's also the most friendly when it comes to sitting in my hand. They are about 2 weeks old now.

We also have our flock as hobby/pets/eggs/entertainment. We currently have 6 ducks and 7 chickens, we have 4 more ducks and 11 more chicks coming within a few months. Birds are so addictive

. I would love to have a large scale farm but will have to wait a while for that, in the mean time we make the most out of what we have.

 

[TarheelBirdy]

Good morning folks

I do not like this new format for BYC.
I'm finding it difficult to find anything and
seems no more color choice for font or the cute
little emoticons.......booo. This is giving me
a sour mood and that is not how I want to start
my day.......hope your day is a good one.

Funny, I don't see any difference. See? ------>