Sdwd

[rancher hicks]

I may start with the lights after the first of January but would prefer to give them some rest. Though I do hope to start hatching mid January when the family leaves.

I'm not quite sure why some folks downsize for the winter. Unless of course their coops are filled to capacity. Though it seems to me the more birds the warmer things will be.

 

[cmom]

I have some friends that downsize in the fall to make room for more birds in the spring and that makes less to feed in the winter.

 

[rancher hicks]

I can understand the feed part, but not the downsize for new spring chickens. Lord have mercy! I hatch each spring and sell the oldies then. No sense raising them to POL and then unloading them in the fall.
I've got some just started not only weeks ago. Late broody hatches. I doubt I'll sell any this coming spring/summer. Hens that is.

 

[cmom]

I sell a lot of eating eggs and a few eggs for hatching chicks and hatched chicks mostly for 4H and FFA projects. All of the rest I raise to POL. I sell some of the older birds but also some pullets near POL. It seem everyone who wants some back yard chickens want POL birds. I love to watch them grow and go through all of their stages. I have usually 200 to 300 birds.

 

[rancher hicks]

I sell a lot of eating eggs and a few eggs for hatching chicks and hatched chicks mostly for 4H and FFA projects. All of the rest I raise to POL. I sell some of the older birds but also some pullets near POL. It seem everyone who wants some back yard chickens want POL birds. I love to watch them grow and go through all of their stages. I have usually 200 to 300 birds.

200! Lord have mercy I barely have enough energy for the 40 -50 I have. Of course it's freezing cold here and I do have to snow blow to get to the coops.

I sell my overflow eggs but could still sell more if I had them. I don't make any money mind you. prices here just aren't high enough.

I don't sell hatching eggs though. POL are popular due to not wanted roosters but not cost effective, IMO. Feed prices and labor just don't justify selling a pure POL for $10 - $15.

I've really go t to monitor feed more and plan a daily ration. Perhaps hang a plastic measuring cup in the run. (I don't keep food in the coops, as a rule).

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I'm lucky I don't have to snow blow to get to my coops. It can get pretty chilly here. The next couple of nights is forecasted to be in the 30's and windy. We are on a hill and really get the wind. It's been blowing here today 25 - 35 mph. I don't sell my pullet POL's for less than $20.00 each. My older girls who have been laying for a year or two I may sell for $10 - $15. I make enough money to pay for the feed, treats, hay and litter for the coops. Mine is a labor of love. I just love all of my birds. I keep their feed in 5 gallon buckets in the barn. My feeders hold 40 pounds. I have 2 feeders each in 3 coops and 1 feeder in the 4th coop. I go through about 200 to 300 pounds of feed a week depending on how many birds I have at the time.

 

[rancher hicks]

I'll be snowblowing again tomorrow. More snow on the way. Things could be worse.

Take care and stay warm,

rancher

 

[cmom]

I'll be snowblowing again tomorrow. More snow on the way. Things could be worse.

Take care and stay warm,

rancher

Are you an oldie but goodie like me? I'm in my mid 60's.

 

[rancher hicks]

I was up at 6:30 and made some coffee and headed out. Over a foot of snow. Had to clear the drive so DD could get out for work and didn't go get gas last night. I had to hurry to get out before the work day traffic. Then got stuck at the end of the gas station pulling in. Got pushed out and home ok.

Poor chickens got water late and I am hurting big time. My shoulder has been huritng for months. I just know a visit to the doc means xrays and really what can he do?

I have to go out and clear some more snow. Snowblowers don't get it all and there is clean up of the left behind stuff. I just did enough to be able to get my wagon through.

Still life is good.

I'm just old,

Rancher

 

[crazyhen]

I am one of those over 60's too. Like you said xrays but what could they do just take something for arther and go on. B e careful that stuff is slippery. At least you know that though. This summer I was not expecting that x#^%$#^$ moss when I fell and broke my wrist and arm. BE VERY CAREFULL.We don't heal very fast after 60 you know.

Have a a great sleep tonight. Gloria Jean