So I'm curious, are "chicken people" birds of a feather, or are we various? What are your passions o

[Cheyen]

I live in a very small neighborhood (only five or six houses) with about two acres of land surrounding my house. I have a flock of about thirty chickens, and four ducks. I'm still in high school, so no plans on having kids or getting married yet

. I convinced my mom to get chickens about two or three years ago. She hated birds back then, lol. Since then, she's grown to love the farm life, and has even started raising rabbits. I hope to get a real farm someday; one with goats and cows and sheep.

 

[MamaDoodle]

I live in the mountain area of Tennessee in a rural home with some acreage...except for my failure of a garden this year, I can vegetables and make jam. I can make tea for colds or just general teas from things here. We also use a well and hunt to save a bit more money. lnless I am going through the city half hour away, I ride my horses around here and try to stick to the farmers market or neighbor trade. I'd like to get some goats or sheep come spring and a cart for my best working horse as well. I'm learning to sew from my husband and in turn I'm teaching him at home aid for those times we just can't use a vet or doctor.

I love this life very much and hope to continue and expand it.

Otherwise, I also love to read and write, explore and swim, build my own projects and I hope to pass on some values to my daughter. But so far she just likes to chase the animals and listen to her dad pay guitar.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Right now my family and I live on a little over 3 acres in the country. We do a small garden and have lots of berry bushes and have some chickens and rabbits. We've been very small scale. But...

We just bought a 48 acre farm in Tn, which I'm SUPER excited about. Were planning a much larger garden, fruit and nut trees, more chickens, cows, maybe some goat and meat rabbits and I REALLY want to get started with bees in the spring. Can't wait!

In my spare time I like to draw and paint (though I dont seem to have much spare time these days), I can sew and crochet, but I don't like to. I like to build things but I'm afraid my carpentry skills leave a little something to be desired

 

[HRHDi]

I REALLY want to get started with bees in the spring. Can't wait!

I'd love to keep bees! I need to get more research on everything else and actually get to our land, but I'd love to have bees within 2 years.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I think, of all the things I want to do at our new place, I'm most excited about the bees (though my husband is terrified of bees, he's not excited AT ALL). But, I keep imagining fresh, raw honey and homemade beeswax candles, lip balms and soaps!
There's a wonderful bee thread (I think its in the other pets and livestock section) if you haven't found it already. Lots of very nice, helpful folks there

 

[BarefootMtnGal]

I moved up to rural VT from near Boston... escaped the noise and smog of suburban commuting. My family are all much older than I am. My Dad was from VT, back before the great depression. It's like coming home... up in the foothills of the Green Mtns.

I have been pouring over information about chickens, and now ducks, too. I'm glad I've not rushed into getting either... my numerous coop sketches have changed after checking out so many different designs...

One big issue we've had is the house we've moved into. Two weeks before we were set to buy it, we were told that the owner defaulted on his mortgage...it has gone into a long, slow foreclosure since June 2013... We were the only offer on the house after it's being for sale for a whole year...

We signed a lease with the owner, so we're legally residing here, with all bills and registrations having an address... but are reluctant to make big improvements or homesteading plans until we know we have the place...

I want to plant apple and pear trees... and grapes, too... four mature crabapple trees are already here.

So far, I've made pickles and jerky... my sister is an avid baker... breads, cookies, cakes...

 

[Chicken_Girl75495]

I am in awe of the earlier posters. Wow....

I always felt like I belonged in the country despite being raised as a military brat, mostly in metropolitan areas or overseas. I got my first chickens in 2009, right after my husband was diagnosed with metastatic cancer--not the best time to start a long term activity like chickens, but hey, timing has never been my long suit.

I now have 27, including four roosters (three of whom are rescues and one, Bruno, whose former owner made me promise not to eat him--no one goes to freezer camp here, so no problem!). We bought an insulated storage shed from Sam's that has french doors, a window and a roof vent, put a repurposed wooden stairs that exactly fit on one side for them to use to roost and put straw on the floor. They are kind of messy, but I read on a thread here that that's not a bad thing. Good, since I am not much of housekeeper!

A peahen showed up in the spring and kind of messed up the flock's production, but they still receive and enjoy all sorts of foods. I have been surprised that they can spot protein from quite a distance--I've given them the rare treat of left over beef (never chicken or eggs!).

I'm a nurse and a licensed marriage and family therapist, constantly in school (just finished my BSN and applying to grad school). At 60, my hope is to grow up to be a nurse practitioner. My husband is an engineer who shares my love of animals but doesn't get into the more problem-specific care such as managing chronic illness or specialized care.

I have three grown children--one I gave birth to, one adopted at age 3 days, and one, a former foster, adopted at age 27 years. I have 8 grandchildren though I only know two of them--everyone lives quite far away.

I used to be quite crafty until life and neck/back injuries got in the way, but I'm on a promising path toward a painfree life again, so should be able to stand at the stove, hover over the sewing machine and the like. I have all sorts of potential supplies built up (I hate getting rid of what might be useful), and my latest passion is to convert those plastic-y bags (such as Layena comes in) into reuseable shopping bags. Maybe they can be sold to raise a little money for the sanctuary, lol.

Just love this site--I need to visit more often! Hope everybody has a wonderful day!!

Christine

 

[neophyte17]

I live right smack in the city in Pompano Beach, FL. However, I managed to find a small section of a neighborhood that has just a handful pf houses with one or two acres. Rest of the houses in the neighborhood barely have a small yard. So I live on an acre and pretend I live in the country and ignore the noise of the city just outside my gates. I have two roosters and five dogs. Single no kids and no plans on having kids. I want to get four hens but I am waiting to see what the outcome is of the battle with me and the bank. since I lost one of my jobs I have been able not been able to afford the mortgage

 

[Roseandspice]

I live out in the country Lol Almost all my neighbors have chickens,guieneas,and ducks and geese Lol I have eight I had thirteen but Spice,blacky,bubba And Snow... who was my favorite :/