NY chicken lover!!!!

[Glasshen]

Cass, or Rancher (since you have all the county library books), are muscovys the only ones who eat flies, or do all ducks? My land literally hums in the spring for a few days with the cluster flies waking up. My husband might like ducks. And there are sometimes those biting flies....hmmm. Sales pitch coming on.

 

[ladylibra]

You are certainly not selfish for wanting to be a SAHM. I often find that SAHM's don't get the credit that they deserve. I get alot of flack for being a SAHM, and it amazes me that some people genuinly thing SAHM are dumb and incapable of working. Obviously, these are small minded people, but they are out. My life is BUSY...with children, and I like it that way. I am a good mom, heck I'm an OUTSTANDING mother, and I wouldn't change anything in my life. You have to do what is right for you and be sure to live in the moment, work will be there tomorrow...
My husband has a VERY demanding schedule and at this time, I do need to be there for my family. At some point,I will go back to work, but now is just not that time. Remember to take some time for yourself and don't feel guilty for it, you will be a better mom if you do get some you time in as well. I spent years NEVER giving myself a break when it came to my family. Getting some time in for myself took some getting used to, but I am a happier and more energetic mom when I take even an hour for myself. My favorite time of the day is my gym time and silkie chicken therapy. Don't feel bad for wanting to be home for your family!

If you come up with a workable budget, you can do it!

This particular thread has inspired me because so many of you have a very natural approach to your daily lives. Gardening, canning, repurposing, composting, etc. Our family has become far less wasteful and more aware of taking a natural approach to our lives. In fact, we now make our own laundry detergent and fabric softener. It's fun and cheap! I like saving my $$.

I'm stepping off of my soapbox now.

I agree, nothing selfish about that. Doing what is right for your family. After My 3rd babykins came we decided that I will stay home. I work the Homestead and enjoy raising my children, gardens,chickens,ducks,pigs,and rabbits. (we raise most of all our own meat) As for finances, we are pretty broke-but who isn't! We make it work and we are all happier for it. I had a similar situation with my job. The amount of stress it generated wasn't worth the income it provided. We've recently decided to Homeschool our children too, something that, when I was working never even crossed our minds. That ONE decision to quit my job has opened up so many other doors. best advice ever- DO what is Right for YOU and YOur Family! The support is out there for whatever your path is.

 

[ladylibra]

I haven't been on here is a while, Who has their bators stuffed right now? Our 4H club is setting 150+ donated eggs for our first fundraiser chick sale.

Many folks have been super generous in donating hatching eggs for the cause. As for my personal Bater space. I hope to have enough Lavender Orp eggs to set a couple dozen next Monday.

Sue, I am sending you many healing energies and hope that you have a speedy recovery!

 

[vmdanielsen]

I know this probably came off sounding very selfish on my part, but I have wanted to be a SAHM for a couple of years now. I have this dead end job that I've been working for 11 years now, I'm at the bottom of the totem pole in my company, and I did like it at one point. I do not make a lot of money, I do work part time AND from home AND a flexible schedule so YES I should be grateful to have this job. Just lately it's become more stressful and I do not enjoy it anymore. I am not working for benefits as my husband's job takes care of those. I am simply here to give me something to do during the day and make a little extra spending $ on top of the extra we now have. I told my husband I wanted to quit at the end of last year but we both discussed the state of the department as of late and with jobs getting cut left and right I'm staying this year to see what kind of package they will give me once our dept is chopped. But right now I am not getting paid enough to stress about this job the way they are causing me to stress.

Why is it being selfish? It would be selfish if only you benefited from it. I quit my full time job when I had my second child. I picked up cleaning a few houses for some income. Do what is right for you and your family.

 

[Kit-Kat]

Cass, or Rancher (since you have all the county library books), are muscovys the only ones who eat flies, or do all ducks? My land literally hums in the spring for a few days with the cluster flies waking up. My husband might like ducks. And there are sometimes those biting flies....hmmm. Sales pitch coming on.

I'm also curious about this! I've been thinking about adding ducks to my little menagerie lately.

 

[happyhensny]

For Columbian Bantam Cochins try Dick Horstman in Pennsyvania, and his prices seem reasonable. Here is the link: http://horstmanspoultry.com/bantamshome/columbiancochin.html

I've heard good things about his poultry.

Country Boy - I know Jamie pretty well and yes, his birds are pricey. Nice guy though and good judge. Horstman I have heard of, and nice things too.

I agree, nothing selfish about that. Doing what is right for your family. After My 3rd babykins came we decided that I will stay home. I work the Homestead and enjoy raising my children, gardens,chickens,ducks,pigs,and rabbits. (we raise most of all our own meat) As for finances, we are pretty broke-but who isn't! We make it work and we are all happier for it. I had a similar situation with my job. The amount of stress it generated wasn't worth the income it provided. We've recently decided to Homeschool our children too, something that, when I was working never even crossed our minds. That ONE decision to quit my job has opened up so many other doors. best advice ever- DO what is Right for YOU and YOur Family! The support is out there for whatever your path is.

How have you been? Last time I saw you, you were expecting #2? Glad to hear all is working out well.

Why is it being selfish? It would be selfish if only you benefited from it. I quit my full time job when I had my second child. I picked up cleaning a few houses for some income. Do what is right for you and your family.

I stayed home with my 3 kids till my youngest was 4. I then got a job driving school bus for our district BECAUSE they let me take my kids with me on my run then drop them at school when I was done. Our district is absolutely fantastic. Have my kids, get paid, benefits and I get to know the people in the school - inside edge... Before I went back to work I did just about any job to make ends meet. Worked in an office at night, Post Office at night, pharmacy in the local market, babysat, etc. Never would change a thing. Love my kids and no, I didn't get a new car every 3 years and yes, I did clip alot of coupons and use hand-me-down clothes but now my kids are 15, 13 & 10 (tomorrow is her b-day) and they know they are most important, not "things". I ask them everyday "Do you know the one thing?" Know what that 1 thing is? I love them. Do what you can and what you want to have for your family.

 

[Kit-Kat]

Just finished a new brooder a little while ago- it's got a big window in the front of it so I can take photos of the little peeps from an angle other than 'above'. It seemed about time I built a real brooder instead of using big tupperware bins or cardboard boxes assembled into some kind of makeshift chick castle. Thought I'd share a few pictures.

​

And I'm belatedly realizing I ended up taking more photos of the chicks (RIRs and Silkies) than the brooder itself... oops!

 

[Tough Old Bird]

You are certainly not selfish for wanting to be a SAHM. I often find that SAHM's don't get the credit that they deserve. I get alot of flack for being a SAHM, and it amazes me that some people genuinly thing SAHM are dumb and incapable of working. Obviously, these are small minded people, but they are out. My life is BUSY...with children, and I like it that way. I am a good mom, heck I'm an OUTSTANDING mother, and I wouldn't change anything in my life. You have to do what is right for you and be sure to live in the moment, work will be there tomorrow...
My husband has a VERY demanding schedule and at this time, I do need to be there for my family. At some point,I will go back to work, but now is just not that time. Remember to take some time for yourself and don't feel guilty for it, you will be a better mom if you do get some you time in as well. I spent years NEVER giving myself a break when it came to my family. Getting some time in for myself took some getting used to, but I am a happier and more energetic mom when I take even an hour for myself. My favorite time of the day is my gym time and silkie chicken therapy. Don't feel bad for wanting to be home for your family!

If you come up with a workable budget, you can do it!

This particular thread has inspired me because so many of you have a very natural approach to your daily lives. Gardening, canning, repurposing, composting, etc. Our family has become far less wasteful and more aware of taking a natural approach to our lives. In fact, we now make our own laundry detergent and fabric softener. It's fun and cheap! I like saving my $$.

I'm stepping off of my soapbox now.

I shall step up onto the very same soapbox and honk the horn for the "SAHM's Club". I, too, am blessed to be able to stay at home -- and like Adoravachick, consider myself a very good and devoted mother. Prior to having kids, I have worked and/or went to biz school since I was a youngster. My last job was as a clinic coordinator for a regional hospital. I know what it means to work in a stressful position, but the most demanding job I've ever had is being a 24/7 on call MOM. It's also the job I love more than anything. Although my boys are not small anymore, we have some challenges with anxiety issues which puts additional and unpredictable demands on me and my schedule...add a sweet, 84-year old mom into the mix for whom I am the caregiver, and once again, I count my blessings for the opportunity to be able to be available to them, here at home! Hubby and I are conservative-minded and perhaps some would say old-fashioned, but we have a very strong family bond, and this traditional lifestyle has worked and continues to work best for us and the interests of our kids. I know this is not a realistic option for everyone, but it suits our family to a "T".

TOB

 

[Tough Old Bird]

.....now my kids are 15, 13 & 10 (tomorrow is her b-day) and they know they are most important, not "things". I ask them everyday "Do you know the one thing?" Know what that 1 thing is? I love them. Do what you can and what you want to have for your family.

Happyhens... This is a lovely way to remind them of your LOVE -- I may "borrow" it !!



Kit-Kat....that is one awesome set-up. Looks like a fancy and special chick sauna! They're precious!


TOB

 

[rancher hicks]

Morning all! This is (according to my chickens) day 2 of incarcerataion. Between the snowfall and then all the rain yesterday all the runs are puddled and muddy. Really bad as the water had no place to go because of the snow. So they shall spend another day in lockdown until it freezes up again or drys out to an acceptable level. Guess I will be going to the grocery store to get them some greens to keep them busy.

Rancher---you are going to need a part time job just to support your habit!!! How goes your war with the winged predators? I heard the falcon this morning but didnt see it. I know its about that time when they show up again looking for easy pickings.

Marquisella--I hope you have a speedy recovery that is boring and uncomplicated.

Stony---amazing what tastes good when you dont know what it is huh? Mind over matter. I have always wanted to try groundhog as I have heard they are very tasty. Being picky vegetarians, I would imagine the meat is very tasty. My father once spent 3 years trying to get a groundhog out in the cornfield. That groundhog drove my father crazy because every time he got a bead on him, he would disspear. It was funny watching my dad hollering and running out to the field when he finally nailed him with his rifle. I think he was glad that he had finally won the war that had raged on for so long! lol It was a big one too!

Only a couple more days before I get to set up my new bators and fire them up!!! So excited!

Cass, or Rancher (since you have all the county library books), are muscovys the only ones who eat flies, or do all ducks? My land literally hums in the spring for a few days with the cluster flies waking up. My husband might like ducks. And there are sometimes those biting flies....hmmm. Sales pitch coming on.

Quote:
I haven't seen the hawk in days and have started to let the birds out again. I have been checking occasionally though. I will put up a scarecrow. I'm thinking of buying a George Bush Mask or some other political person. I know politicians sure scare me.

I haven't had a chance to do my research but I will. You know I use my birds to feed family and friends in this hard economic time. At my age there are a few seniors who could use the help.

I'm praying for this Soc. Sec. thing. It will hurt many if there are cuts. This is why I recommend paying off that mortgage asap. There will always be maintenance such as we have putting on a new garage roof this year. Last year it was the furnace. We did some windows the year before. Not to mention medical bills.

My whole point being having a meat duck could feed some folks.

I have my job interview today so I've been praying alot. It's at a nursing home/rehab center and I think I'd like it. I think if old age could talk it would say , "Ready or not here I come".