NY chicken lover!!!!

[Hillaire]

that's the dream, there is nothing more satisfying than growing your own food either from animals or plants.... and it tastes WAY better

 

[AmsoilJim]

Its worse than any hobby ive ever had. We started with 8 and now have over 200 and that's just chickens. We are about to order 40 turkey and 100 more chicks.

I think I'll have to buy the lot next to me if I end up going nuts. Where do you get enough food to feed them all?

 

[rancher hicks]

I am low on hay - so I haven't been tossing that out to the chickens to play in. Last time I bought hay - they only had half bales, so I didn't get nearly enough. It's not visible in that photo, but I've got a kids playhouse I picked up off the side of the road - needed some repairs - but it makes an excellent dust bath house. Ive been adding peat moss there for dust baths. The run isn't covered, it's so big....but it extends into the woods so there are lots of trees covering it, lots of places to hide. There is also a small drainage stream running though the run. Originally the run was much smaller, then last year we went over the steam and into the woods with it to give them more space. They can only free range when I've got the dog secured, and he will dash out a door in the blink of an eye.

Ah, the splash Marans! Bleu and Frenchie. They are nice birds, one is low in the pecking order. She and and the black EE rarely have tail feathers.

It's always nice when you can add on to your run isn't it? I don't have that option.

I didn't think I'd get hay this year but someone came through and delivered some. I just get 10-15 bales in the fall so they have something to work on during the winter months. I'd prefer straw but it's too expensive for my budget.

 

[rancher hicks]

I think I'll have to buy the lot next to me if I end up going nuts. Where do you get enough food to feed them all?

BUY IT!!! You can never have too much land. Land is the only thing that lasts. You can always NOT use it if things go that way, but you can't USE it if you don't have it. I tell all the young folks, buy as much land and as far away from the city as you can afford. Wish I had done that years ago.

 

[rancher hicks]

that's the dream, there is nothing more satisfying than growing your own food either from animals or plants.... and it tastes WAY better

This is so true. Tomatoes should not taste like cardboard.

 

[AmberKnits]

looks great the fencing should be ok from most ground predators unless they dig under is it possible to throw some of that plastic netting over the top? Over time they will knock the weeds down as I'm sure they did last year.  Do the chickens go down the slide? that would be hilarious to catch on camera lol

It's probably possible to add netting over the top, but with the trees....and the size (I think it's over 50 ft wide) it would be a real hassle.

Hahaha I don't have a slide in the run, but I do have one! When things thaw I will toss it in there. Only 1 gen will use the swing.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I think I'll have to buy the lot next to me if I end up going nuts. Where do you get enough food to feed them all?

at a fed mill in Afton.

 

[AmberKnits]

It's always nice when you can add on to your run isn't it? I don't have that option. I didn't think I'd get hay this year but someone came through and delivered some. I just get 10-15 bales in the fall so they have something to work on during the winter months. I'd prefer straw but it's too expensive for my budget.

Your run looks very cozy!!! I like hay, but I have rabbits that also use it for bedding/eating. It is nice to add to the run. I didn't think it would be possible, with the steam and the trees and the hills, but I got some help over in the coop design forum. They had some ideas to make it work.

 

[AmberKnits]

BUY IT!!!  You can never have too much land. Land is the only thing that lasts.  You can always NOT use it if things go that way, but you can't USE it if you don't have it. I tell all the young folks, buy as much land and as far away from the city as you can afford.  Wish I had done that years ago.   

We've tried several times to buy the land around us - the guy doesn't want to sell.

Buy whatever land you can! They aren't making any more of it!!

 

[Lapeerian]

I have a good sized hatch due this week and had a buyer just back out please lmk if anyone is looking for some chicks these are all breeder/show quality potential chicks pm me for more info some of the eggs are from other BYCer's others from different breeders around the country. I also have a few older grow out chicks. Should have cream Legbars, Marans, orps, leghorns, SFH and possibly Russian Orloffs. As well as some pure Ameraucana. I'm located near Saratoga and offer local meet up. I should also have some for chickenstock that I could hold and bring then as well

Darn if you were closer... I'm in Cortland County, my hatch is also due this weekend but not sure how well it will end.