NY chicken lover!!!!

[aalissa]

There are some great books on homesteading you might want to check out. I've got a new one called, "Broken Antler farm" you might like. Check your local public library.

If you keep chickens for personal eggs or plan to sell some extras it can work. Maybe hang a sign you have extras or develop a following of customers.

I scored a small college sized fridge for mine. It's full now so I may need to make some calls. Start getting friends to save cartons.

I'm not sure if there is a way to get a tax deduction for egg donations to food pantries or not.

Get yourself a notebook and start a plan. It doesn't have to be hard and fast but an outline can help.

Thank you for the book recommendation, wrote it down and will check it out. Are there any other books you have found particularly helpful?

I have a few homesteading books and my notebook has been in my hands for awhile, as soon as we were told we could move off site and decided not to move back into my house. We have just saved up enough to put down a down payment on a place, without touching the emergency funds. I could probably live a little more ruggedly than my husband as he will still have to work outside of home and he is just that kind of guy.
Selling eggs may be an option as he will still be coming into the city everyday. The sign thing won't work because the cabins are far back in the woods. YAY!!!

I won't have any neighbors close by. Additionally, it just occurred to me while typing this I could go to the local farmers market here where we live. Part of the reason we are headed into the woods is that I am susceptible to catching illnesses because of a weakened immune system, brought on by food allergies and crap like pesticides, GMO's and herbicides.

I am doing much better now, but my diet is very very limited. However, it is very difficult to find fruits and veggies without this content especially in New York, in the winter. I am learning to can, freeze and take advantage of the summer fall harvest when plentiful however not living like that before I miscalculated the amount I needed to put up.

and I don't really have the room for it here in the apartment.

Initially, we need the garden, then the chickens & rabbits, then the goats and finally the Beefer and the Pigs. If I know what they are eating... I know what I am eating. Nothing like losing your health to chemicals.

 

[rancher hicks]

Thank you for the book recommendation, wrote it down and will check it out. Are there any other books you have found particularly helpful?

I have a few homesteading books and my notebook has been in my hands for awhile, as soon as we were told we could move off site and decided not to move back into my house. We have just saved up enough to put down a down payment on a place, without touching the emergency funds. I could probably live a little more ruggedly than my husband as he will still have to work outside of home and he is just that kind of guy.
Selling eggs may be an option as he will still be coming into the city everyday. The sign thing won't work because the cabins are far back in the woods. YAY!!!

I won't have any neighbors close by. Additionally, it just occurred to me while typing this I could go to the local farmers market here where we live. Part of the reason we are headed into the woods is that I am susceptible to catching illnesses because of a weakened immune system, brought on by food allergies and crap like pesticides, GMO's and herbicides.

I am doing much better now, but my diet is very very limited. However, it is very difficult to find fruits and veggies without this content especially in New York, in the winter. I am learning to can, freeze and take advantage of the summer fall harvest when plentiful however not living like that before I miscalculated the amount I needed to put up.

and I don't really have the room for it here in the apartment.

Initially, we need the garden, then the chickens & rabbits, then the goats and finally the Beefer and the Pigs. If I know what they are eating... I know what I am eating. Nothing like losing your health to chemicals.

Well now a half hoop coop will allow you to keep at least 7 chickens to start. 6 hens and 1 rooster. Check CL and you can most likely snag some for free or cheap.

My garden started off small with just a few raised beds and grew. I'm always modifying things. Materials for building raised beds can be had for free in many cases too. If your area is wooded blow downs make great rustic fences to keep the chickens out. Start looking for and writing down ideas now. If you have an idea of your own google it. Most likely someone has already had the same idea. Collect and store up lumber now. What you don't use for one thing can be used for another.

Stick free or cheap fruit plants in the ground and move them to a permanent location later. Raspberries, etc. etc.

 

[boskelli1571]

Thank you for the book recommendation, wrote it down and will check it out. Are there any other books you have found particularly helpful?

I have a few homesteading books and my notebook has been in my hands for awhile, as soon as we were told we could move off site and decided not to move back into my house. We have just saved up enough to put down a down payment on a place, without touching the emergency funds. I could probably live a little more ruggedly than my husband as he will still have to work outside of home and he is just that kind of guy.
Selling eggs may be an option as he will still be coming into the city everyday. The sign thing won't work because the cabins are far back in the woods. YAY!!!

I won't have any neighbors close by. Additionally, it just occurred to me while typing this I could go to the local farmers market here where we live. Part of the reason we are headed into the woods is that I am susceptible to catching illnesses because of a weakened immune system, brought on by food allergies and crap like pesticides, GMO's and herbicides.

I am doing much better now, but my diet is very very limited. However, it is very difficult to find fruits and veggies without this content especially in New York, in the winter. I am learning to can, freeze and take advantage of the summer fall harvest when plentiful however not living like that before I miscalculated the amount I needed to put up.

and I don't really have the room for it here in the apartment.

Initially, we need the garden, then the chickens & rabbits, then the goats and finally the Beefer and the Pigs. If I know what they are eating... I know what I am eating. Nothing like losing your health to chemicals.

The 'chicken bible' for me is Storeys guide to raisnig chickens by Gail Damerow - it's my go to book for all things chicken. It has a companion book on chicken health too. Hobby farms has a series of useful little books on various animals - chickens, sheep, goats etc. that you might enjoy. There are many sites on Homesteading - there is a thread here on BYC too. We garden naturally - no pesticides etc. the biggest challenge we have really is the deer. They enjoy our garden as much as we do!

 

[Gramma Chick]

My next question is how many chicken do you think would be reasonable for a newbie to start with. I was thinking a bakers dozen or so.

I would start with 6 ...8 we had too many eggs with just that amount .
You can always add more later ..when you get used to them
But Make your coop bigger than you need ...you will always want more ..
it is best to get a few new chickens each year ..then you will always have eggs

I have a dirt floor ...I gather free bedding ....dried grass , dry leaves ..havent ever used pine needles before , havent need to .

 

[aalissa]

Well now a half hoop coop will allow you to keep at least 7 chickens to start. 6 hens and 1 rooster. Check CL and you can most likely snag some for free or cheap.

My garden started off small with just a few raised beds and grew. I'm always modifying things. Materials for building raised beds can be had for free in many cases too. If your area is wooded blow downs make great rustic fences to keep the chickens out. Start looking for and writing down ideas now. If you have an idea of your own google it. Most likely someone has already had the same idea. Collect and store up lumber now. What you don't use for one thing can be used for another.

Stick free or cheap fruit plants in the ground and move them to a permanent location later. Raspberries, etc. etc.

I have decided to do the "lasagna garden" layers of straw, manure, and soil. That way we don't have to dig, disturbing the micro-flora of the soil. Besides, we live in the Mohawk valley and courtesy of the last ice age and ice burgs the soil here is full of rocks... everything from pebbles right up to boulders can be found just under the surface. I thought about raised beds and yes we will have some however, not until I know how much water we will have on hand and how quickly we can manage a rain catchment system. I am also able to do plumbing work so I will be able to install a diversion system under the sink and shower for gray water usage, that way the septic will be used pretty much solely for the toilet and less water waste. I already use "green" products either stuff I make myself, buy from local crafters or order on line from crafters.
I say we but not really... my husband loves me but this is my deal and he doesn't quite understand my need to go back to basics but he's not sick either. He should be but he's not. his diet was horrific prior to meeting me and he has lost over 100lbs and kept it off, since meeting me (in 10yrs ago). I should be healthy ... i always ate "healthy" but I ate mostly fruits and veggies... probably loaded with all the chemicals. meanwhile he was eating am/pm pizza and breakfast sandwiches. lol
So anyway I will be a very busy girl while ate home.
1/2 hoop Coop will probably be my first... and 7 chickens sound okay... when I get there f.i.n.a.l.l.y I'll know what I have to work with.
I am pretty good at container gardening as my house is within the city limits and I was getting proficient at container and vertical gardening. I have some bushes there against the neighbors garage. I am hoping that with whatever land we will obtain there will be some freebie wild berries there.
Thank you again.

 

[aalissa]

The 'chicken bible' for me is Storeys guide to raisnig chickens by Gail Damerow - it's my go to book for all things chicken. It has a companion book on chicken health too. Hobby farms has a series of useful little books on various animals - chickens, sheep, goats etc. that you might enjoy. There are many sites on Homesteading - there is a thread here on BYC too. We garden naturally - no pesticides etc. the biggest challenge we have really is the deer. They enjoy our garden as much as we do!

thank you for the recommendation I will add it to my list of "to buys". I have lots to learn about chicken diseases.
I belong to both sister site to BYC... BYH & SS. so I am hurriedly writing tons of notes and ideas.
Deer are a pain but at least they don't eat the chickens.

 

[Purpletie3]

Thank you for the book recommendation, wrote it down and will check it out. Are there any other books you have found particularly helpful?

I have a few homesteading books and my notebook has been in my hands for awhile, as soon as we were told we could move off site and decided not to move back into my house. We have just saved up enough to put down a down payment on a place, without touching the emergency funds. I could probably live a little more ruggedly than my husband as he will still have to work outside of home and he is just that kind of guy.
Selling eggs may be an option as he will still be coming into the city everyday. The sign thing won't work because the cabins are far back in the woods. YAY!!!

I won't have any neighbors close by. Additionally, it just occurred to me while typing this I could go to the local farmers market here where we live. Part of the reason we are headed into the woods is that I am susceptible to catching illnesses because of a weakened immune system, brought on by food allergies and crap like pesticides, GMO's and herbicides.

I am doing much better now, but my diet is very very limited. However, it is very difficult to find fruits and veggies without this content especially in New York, in the winter. I am learning to can, freeze and take advantage of the summer fall harvest when plentiful however not living like that before I miscalculated the amount I needed to put up.

and I don't really have the room for it here in the apartment.

Initially, we need the garden, then the chickens & rabbits, then the goats and finally the Beefer and the Pigs. If I know what they are eating... I know what I am eating. Nothing like losing your health to chemicals.

I know how you feel. I am a little ahead of you. I have the old farm and grow organically because I was sick too. I just started the chickens last year. I think you need to know where your food comes from and what's on it and in it. You are what you eat EATS!!! Best of luck to you in your quest for health!

 

[rancher hicks]

The 'chicken bible' for me is Storeys guide to raisnig chickens by Gail Damerow - it's my go to book for all things chicken. It has a companion book on chicken health too. Hobby farms has a series of useful little books on various animals - chickens, sheep, goats etc. that you might enjoy. There are many sites on Homesteading - there is a thread here on BYC too. We garden naturally - no pesticides etc. the biggest challenge we have really is the deer. They enjoy our garden as much as we do!

Why would you need another site other than BYC?

BYC has it all.

As for books I always recommend the public library which is where I got the book Cold Antler Farm. I take the all out. We all have our own style we like to read I think. Some writers just don't suit me. Though Gail is very good. I can get books from many of the surrounding libraries which is good as the Marcellus Library has many really good books.

I also recommend magazines too. Some articles are just timely.

 

[PhoredaBurds]

Thank you for the book recommendation, wrote it down and will check it out. Are there any other books you have found particularly helpful?

I have a few homesteading books and my notebook has been in my hands for awhile, as soon as we were told we could move off site and decided not to move back into my house. We have just saved up enough to put down a down payment on a place, without touching the emergency funds. I could probably live a little more ruggedly than my husband as he will still have to work outside of home and he is just that kind of guy. 
Selling eggs may be an option as he will still be coming into the city everyday. The sign thing won't work because the cabins are far back in the woods. YAY!!!e I won't have any neighbors close by. Additionally, it just occurred to me while typing this I could go to the local farmers market here where we live. Part of the reason we are headed into the woods is that I am susceptible to catching illnesses because of a weakened immune system, brought on by food allergies and crap like pesticides, GMO's and herbicides. I am doing much better now, but my diet is very very limited. However, it is very difficult to find fruits and veggies without this content especially in New York, in the winter. I am learning to can, freeze and take advantage of the summer fall harvest when plentiful however not living like that before I miscalculated the amount I needed to put up.   and I don't really have the room for it here in the apartment. 

Initially, we need the garden, then the chickens & rabbits, then the goats and finally the Beefer and the Pigs. If I know what they are eating... I know what I am eating. Nothing like losing your health to chemicals. 

It's great to see you r doing ur research & planning! It's so easy to lose will power at the sight & sound of those cute little fluffy butts.
One of my favorite chicken books is "Small Scale Poultry Flock" by Harvey Ussery. His approach is one of sustainability and utility of dual purpose birds. He highlights a few breeds he's worked with & ways that he has them helping in the garden. I found it very helpful on planning & updating my own setup. Enjoy the planning process & putting it into action! I find my best laid plans rarely go as I expect, especially when there's chickens involved.

 

[aalissa]

I know how you feel. I am a little ahead of you. I have the old farm and grow organically because I was sick too. I just started the chickens last year. I think you need to know where your food comes from and what's on it and in it. You are what you eat EATS!!! Best of luck to you in your quest for health!

It is nice to communicate with someone that understands where i am coming from with the health issue thing. I was fine and then it seemed suddenly I became ill. The most confusing part of it is that I ate "healthy" or at least I was told I was eating healthy. No boxed dinners, no instant anything fresh fruits and veggies all the time.The only cheat I had was every other weekend my kids and I would get either a pizza from a real pizza joint (you know spin the homemade crust in the air kind of place) not Pizza Hut or Little Caesar's. or we would go for real Chinese food.
I went to multiple doctors without a diagnosis for years but they tested me for everything... Finally they gave me a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, But I don't believe that is true. Over the course of 6 years my health has improved but certainly not from anything I obtained or was treated for by a doctor. Nearly every single symptom I had was related to the food I was eating, the laundry detergent, perfume, mostly my food. I was sleeping all the time 20+ hours a day and still exhausted, in constant muscular & joint pain, headaches, unknown fevers, rashes from my clothing... you name it.
I was desperate ...I started slowly... I bought a water filter and used that water for anything that was to go into my body... drinking cooking etc. then I cut out bovine milk products... I felt a little better. Then gluten... Gluten made a gigantic difference it was the fist time in 6 years I felt even remotely like myself. I have continued to move towards healthier options however, it difficult because there aren't a lot of organic farms around here that I have found. I did come across one most recently so I will be checking hers out.
If you decide you can share your story I would appreciate that. If you are uncomfortable sharing it here you can private message me.
Thank you for your support.