South Carolina

[WestKnollAmy]

Ah, everyone here in the upstate. Now is your chance to learn more about your back yard flocks. I was sent this info............

copy pasted from http://chickenchat2011.eventbrite.com/

ticket available in advance at the URL listed above.



edible UPCOUNTRY magazine and Furman University’s David E. Shi Center for Sustainability will hold a workshop on the fundamentals of backyard chicken keeping on Saturday, March 26 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the McEachern Lecture Hall on the Furman campus.

“The Great Backyard Chicken Chat!” advance tickets* can be purchased online for $15 (plus small transaction fee). Tickets at the door are $25 (cash/check only), space available.

The “Backyard Chicken Keeping 101” workshop promises to answer questions about types of breeds, coops, feed and more. An introductory workshop will be given by globally acclaimed poultry expert Jim Adkins of the International Centre for Poultry.

Following Adkins’ talk will be a panel discussion by Upstate chicken keepers who are successfully raising flocks large and small. The panel will be led by Rebecca McKinney, local Master Gardener, backyard bird lover and co-founder of Growing Up Green Organics, LLC, an urban farm, training center and edible landscaping company. Panelists include edible UPCOUNTRY contributors, Mary E. Miller and architect Jennifer Gosnell. Clemson Student Organic Farm Manager Shawn Jadrnicek will have a seat on the panel as well as Sylglenda Saziru of John Smith’s Hill Farm in Spartanburg and Chris Noel of Limestone Farms in Greer.

For additional information contact [email protected] or 864-395-9250.


(*A limited number of complementary tickets are available for Furman students, faculty and staff. Contact Katherine Kransteuber at the Furman Shi Center for Sustainability for details: [email protected])

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Not to be smug but this sounds less than basic. I think most folks that want to know about chickens prefer to come to an actual farm, see the chickens and breeds, ask questions from someone who actually works with chickens every day and learn which housing works best for them. I need to start charging, eh?

I would not charge to come to the farm and ask questions. I don't have to pay for fancy school rooms so I am always happy to show people around the farm and answer lots of questions. I answer a lot of emails every day just from people who live several states away and want to know about something in the chicken world. I am no expert but if I don't know it I try to find it out. That way we are both more educated.

However, I thought I would let you all know about this in case you were interested.

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

Sounds more introductory for newbies

Although the panel sounds like it will have at least a couple of experienced people - if they raise/breed chickens and if they do a Q & A session that would probably be best.

Following Adkins’ talk will be a panel discussion by Upstate chicken keepers who are successfully raising flocks large and small. The panel will be led by Rebecca McKinney, local Master Gardener, backyard bird lover and co-founder of Growing Up Green Organics, LLC, an urban farm, training center and edible landscaping company. Panelists include edible UPCOUNTRY contributors, Mary E. Miller and architect Jennifer Gosnell. Clemson Student Organic Farm Manager Shawn Jadrnicek will have a seat on the panel as well as Sylglenda Saziru of John Smith’s Hill Farm in Spartanburg and Chris Noel of Limestone Farms in Greer.

 

[itsjustjen]

Just adding myself in the SC thread.... Moncks Corner here with my very first flock but certainly not my last! Going to look into branching into a rare breed or two....just wanting to ge tmy feet wet with a standard breed like the Sussex and the Orpington before going head first into the waters!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have searched all over the upstate for others that were into chickens and never once came across these names.
But as I told another friend, I am sure I am not in their elitists club. I actually work my small farm and do not just have a few chickens in the backyard.
And I sure as the world would not go with what Clemson has to say. I took some courses there when I was going for my animal husbandry degree. They were so far out in left field that I could not continue. Well, I was about to quit because of that but DH did not want me driving there so much and would not let me stay in the house he had down there by myself.
But really, who goes to Clemson to become a chicken farmer?

Has anyone else heard of these folks or am I just in the poor part of chicken farming and am too out of touch?

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:

And welcome to our thread. I think we have a few folks down your way with chickens. Most of us yakkers are up here in the northern part of the state but we hear from others all around SC.

Tell us what you are expanding out into and what else you like besides those 2 breeds.

 

[phoneman]

Quote:

from sumter s.c.

 

[itsjustjen]

Quote:

And welcome to our thread. I think we have a few folks down your way with chickens. Most of us yakkers are up here in the northern part of the state but we hear from others all around SC.

Tell us what you are expanding out into and what else you like besides those 2 breeds.

Thank you for the welcome!

I have been eyeing the Buckeye, for one reason....my husband is from Ohio and is a huge fan of the OSU Buckeyes.... thought it would be sweet to have a buckeye bird if the breed traits and personality fit our flock and family. We are a growing farmette but don't want to get into too many birds until we are through with the Navy next october. Then we will be moving upstate or to NC hopefully and really able to expand. We want a flock of 10-15 chickens and 5 ducks. Smaller flock but one with variety. I will of course do tons of reseach into all the breeds to find just the right fit.

Also have looked at ~

Speckled Sussex
Ameraucana
Columbian Wyandotte

Found Meyers hatchery and it's been cool to see the variety.

 

[huckleberryfarm]

I'm originally from Michigan and really don't like the Buckeyes. I can assure you that's not something I'll be raising!! But welcome to the board! If you decide on Ameraucanas, let me know. I'm breeding them. And you cannot get those from a hatchery despite what they say!

Amy Nadine, I'd love to come to your farm one day. I'm flying by the seat of my pants and haven't ever really met anyone that knew more than me (and that's not much). Just a few people who came out to get chickens. I'd love to see your operation!

I hear chirping coming from inside the incubator! Maybe all is not lost!!! I just picked up 5 adorable silkies from the post office. They are 4-5 months old and should be able to breed in another few months. Very cute! I also got a pink egg today. Not just brownish pink. This is PINK! Wish I knew who laid it!

 

[Joycats]

Quote:
Never heard of 'em either Amy Nadine. And I agree with you, sounds very basic and I simply don't have time for classes anymore. Too much "hands on" education around here. I guess that class might be good for some people. I have a lot of customers who've NEVER had any experience on a farm or with chickens. I have a customer right now who just received their "special ordered" chicken coop and wants some chicks to put in there right away. But I'm trying to educate them on how to keep chicks alive, and it may be that I end up not selling them a thing ... at least not yet.... because I want my birds to stay healthy and happy when they leave my care. My husband was at TSC the other day and someone was wanting to buy chicks, but she was afraid to touch them in case they should bite.

Scary little chicks! Last night it was raining so hard I was trying to check on everybody and make sure they all got inside to a dry spot. Couldn't find one rooster, finally found him in the dog house with my dog!

So funny!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

You people always bring a smile to my face!

Susanne, you know more about the birds than you think you do! Oh sure, there may be odds and ends that you still can learn. We all can learn more but not everything works for everyone.
Example being that years ago when I really decided to get serious with chickens I went to a "professional" show person for some info. One thing he showed me was how to handle a big chicken. Oh, I learned all right! I learned that is why he has scars on his arms and he usually wears long sleeves! But he liked doing it this way so he does it. I like my skin so I do it differently.

You know you are welcome anytime, Susanne, but it doesn't look as nice as your place. I got more chickens though!

And Joy, you are so smart! I totally understand the "hands on experience"! I think you are awesome for working with nerw owners to help them keep that first flock. So many folks want chickens but never learn how to care for them. I am appalled at the folks that want meat and eggs from them but think throwing a bit of food and some water out to them is enough. Some of my birds are down right petted!

Just all us talking together has taught me a lot. I learn something from you all every day. Mostly patience....kidding!

Oh yeah, ItsjustJen....I have heard that Buckeyes can be a bit hateful. Susanne may be on to something there or I am backing up what she already knows or something but please do research the Buckeye very well and if you do decide it may be a breed for you then go with a breeder that breeds for temperament.
The other breeds are awesome. Speckled Sussex has been a breed I have been wanting over a year and now I finally have a grown hen and a few chicks (yes, from The Hay Rack!) (OH, I got a bit of gossip about there, don't let me forget to tell you all.) So far I adore the hen, who knows her name and has been super to watch. She is certainly a layer, too!
I haven't had the Columbian Wyandotte but have a few chicks on the way. I love all my other Wyandottes so this should satisfy my DH's need for the Columbian pattern and my need for a good egg layer.

And the Ameraucanas are totally cool. I love the eggs but think they are pretty birds, too. Mostly I have Easter Eggers and from a hatchery that is what you get (regardless of what they advertise). They may not lay as dark of color of eggs as true Ameraucanas since my true blues are laying such intense colored eggs right now. And I think my true blue girls are very sweet. My EE's are skittish but the blues came from a breeder and though they were skittish when the man grabbed them from the cage and handed them over, they are no longer like that. They jump into my arms at night to be carried in to bed and let me snuggle my face into their feathers and talk to them. I think my EE's would probably still be freaking out if I tried that! LOL

Oh yeah, about The Hay Rack...for those of you up here that go there.....most of the regular employees have quit. Don't know why, didn't ask (though you know I wanted to

). Anyhooo, they probably won't be getting any more chicks in this spring because the young lady that was doing it this year is the last one out the door. They have a few chicks still there but I am not sure what they are. The new cashiers were not really up on chickens or breeds and had no clue what to do about it.