Greetings 
My name is Mel and our family currently lives in central Texas. We will be moving in the late summer to take possession of the old family farm in north-central Louisiana - I have joined this forum, after lurking extensively, to make connections with folks that manage their flock as working contributors to their homestead/ small farm (ie: meat and eggs) and breed to support that contribution.
I am specifically wishing to learn about spiral breeding with broody's (and accommodations that can be made for a small flock), creating a foraging environment (the pastures and wooded areas were used for cows 30+years ago and haven't been used since) and slaughtering and processing. I also have questions about how to initially contact a breeder, what questions to ask about their breeding practices, and how to convey my desire for a well built chicken that doesn't have to have perfect coloring.
At this time I plan to use 1 1/3 acre to house and day range less than 20 permanent chickens (with exceptions for growing out offspring and culling of hens/cocks) using rotational paddocks. I intend to focus on a single breed but understand I may need to consider a broody type to get things off the ground....it's my understanding that it could take some time (years) to get where I want to go but I'm here to explore and learn.
We have a productive veg garden that we eat from nearly year-round, are pretty handy with creative recycling and have working knowledge of some farm equipment but chickens is new and I'd appreciate help with the learning curve.
What I'm reading right now: Country Wisdom and Know How (from the editors of Storey Books); The Small-Scale Poultry Flock (Harvey Ussery).
Breeds I'm considering: Standard OEG (2-3 as a broody flock).
Dominique OR Buckeye OR Speckled Sussex (as my working flock).
Thanks,
M
My name is Mel and our family currently lives in central Texas. We will be moving in the late summer to take possession of the old family farm in north-central Louisiana - I have joined this forum, after lurking extensively, to make connections with folks that manage their flock as working contributors to their homestead/ small farm (ie: meat and eggs) and breed to support that contribution.
I am specifically wishing to learn about spiral breeding with broody's (and accommodations that can be made for a small flock), creating a foraging environment (the pastures and wooded areas were used for cows 30+years ago and haven't been used since) and slaughtering and processing. I also have questions about how to initially contact a breeder, what questions to ask about their breeding practices, and how to convey my desire for a well built chicken that doesn't have to have perfect coloring.
At this time I plan to use 1 1/3 acre to house and day range less than 20 permanent chickens (with exceptions for growing out offspring and culling of hens/cocks) using rotational paddocks. I intend to focus on a single breed but understand I may need to consider a broody type to get things off the ground....it's my understanding that it could take some time (years) to get where I want to go but I'm here to explore and learn.
We have a productive veg garden that we eat from nearly year-round, are pretty handy with creative recycling and have working knowledge of some farm equipment but chickens is new and I'd appreciate help with the learning curve.
What I'm reading right now: Country Wisdom and Know How (from the editors of Storey Books); The Small-Scale Poultry Flock (Harvey Ussery).
Breeds I'm considering: Standard OEG (2-3 as a broody flock).
Dominique OR Buckeye OR Speckled Sussex (as my working flock).
Thanks,
M
and Welcome To BYC! Great place to start is the Learning Center for lots of general information 
