Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[smkchick]

Al, what shop does your son work out of? I also work for MNRR as a power Director for the NH line in the control center in GCT.

Who wants to play "Six Degrees of Chicken Al" again?! Such a small world. Howlinggood (Donna) is the twin sister of a friend of mine from law school. I get such a kick out of stuff like that!

 

[smkchick]

And check out Donna's t-shrit site. LOVE THEM!!!! Just placed my first order.

 

[ChickenAl]

Who wants to play "Six Degrees of Chicken Al" again?! Such a small world. Howlinggood (Donna) is the twin sister of a friend of mine from law school. I get such a kick out of stuff like that!

It is amazing how we can always find a point of connection. I don't remember if I told you guys one weird story about my dad and my brother. My dad was in the Army/Air Force in WW2. My brother was in the Army in the Vietnam era. They both had best friends while in the service. Turned out the best friends were father and son. My dad had a reunion when both the sons were flying back to Germany. 30 years and see each other again. Pretty weird.

 

[queenchick16]

Good morning I have wanted to go to Costa Rica for many years now. My husband won't travel outside the US since 9-11. My friend I travel with has already been there and has other places she wants to go. I will get there one of these days.

I love the black and white photo of the chicken coop. My house was built in 1901 and had an out building on it THAT WAS A COOP. (hit the cap lock). My friend built my coop three years ago (he surprised me with a window box that I put flowers in all summer long. I'll have to find a photo. We put it on two dollies and wheeled it up Irish Lane. We got stuck on the tracks(fell off the Dollies) and it was too heavy to lift back on.He was freaking out worrying that a train was going to come. I had to run and get help from guys down the block. What a day that was. It should have been videoed. Once we got it in place we laughed are buts off.The things chicken people do.

Haven't talked to my friend yet to find out how the rooster is doing.

I use the 21% protein 'cause my girls roam around the back yard.Want to my sure they are getting enough .

 

[stoopid]

Such a small world. So cool to hear those stories.
Al, thanks for the link, will have hubby read it.
What sucks is we both took german in HS.
I can't for the life of me get the spanish down, even got one of those tapes for the car.

I am not too worried about flying anymore.
Death is gonna happen, it's just a matter of where and how.

Maybe we should plan a trip.
One half of each of us, I will stay home and feed birds, and Loyd will check it out, and later, vice versa.
Our Brother in law thinks the same, those two were going to plan a trip.

Everyone I talk to says it is great down there.

 

[queenchick16]

My life long friend I travel with says its one of the most beautiful places she has ever been.She has been all over the world(Africa, China, etc. ) I will get there. zip line through the rain forest ,check out the volcano,beaches etc.I go on the NYchicken thread also and they are talking about a gathering in the summer. Has anyone ever gone to one? Sounds like fun.

Such a small world. So cool to hear those stories.
Al, thanks for the link, will have hubby read it.
What sucks is we both took german in HS.
I can't for the life of me get the spanish down, even got one of those tapes for the car.

I am not too worried about flying anymore.
Death is gonna happen, it's just a matter of where and how.

Maybe we should plan a trip.
One half of each of us, I will stay home and feed birds, and Loyd will check it out, and later, vice versa.
Our Brother in law thinks the same, those two were going to plan a trip.

Everyone I talk to says it is great down there.

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:


I took Spanisin JHS and couldn't remember much. I did the car CD thing too and was able to speak enough together by. In the touristy areas enough people speak English. You would get to learn if you lived there and had to do it. You should go to see what it is like.

 

[Imprfctme]

Quote:
Ok, I was cleaning the tub & taking a shower, and I could not stop thinking about your business. I think you all could really make it work, especially considering the tourist season is starting up in two months. People from Manhattan will buy fresh eggs both for the taste and the "humane-ness".

In a previous life, I was a management consultant. Wait! Don't hate me. I stopped because I was bad at lying to people, but I am good at business plans. So this is my very rough draft, done in a bathrobe with a towel on my head.

First the $$:
1. what is your break-even number for your overhead expenses, meaning, what is the monthly nut you must meet to pay your bills, total?
2. what are the start-up costs? This is the new buildings, new chickens, etc.
3. what are the monthly costs? Feed, vet supplies, transportation

Next the law:
1. what are the laws in your town regarding how many birds you can have at one time?
2. what are the laws regarding your specific piece of property and whether or not you can run a business on it - obviously if you think the town will turn a blind eye that's another thing

Then the customers:
1. I vote for sell to restaurants, groceries, etc because these businesses will be more dependable through the winter months - but having said that you have to prepare them for the idea that there won't be as many eggs in the winter.
2. Sell direct to the tourists. Everyone wears a t-shirt designed by HowlingGood. Farmer's markets? A bicycle push-cart going up and down the streets on Fire Island? White van with logo? Or you could even do a food truck and try to get yourself some local publicity through News12. Sell omelets, coffee and bread by the beaches in the morning.

Then suppliers:
1. where are you getting the chickens? the feed? bedding? Which is more important, organic or cost?
2. can you sell back or trade chicken poo for materials like bedding, construction supplies, etc. to a garden center? Barter is good, no taxes,

Skill sets:
1. you need someone to do the accounting, the actual chicken-farming, the marketing, construction, driving, etc. If you need to, start taking classes at your local adult school or home depot now.

Last - GO FOR IT! Life is short. Do what you love and the money will follow. At least, that's what "they" say, right?

 

[Imprfctme]

Quote:
This totally reminds me of a (very) old joke:
"When I go, I want to go peacefully, in my sleep, like the way my grandfather died. Not screaming and crying, like his bus passengers."

 

[queenchick16]

One of the only reasons I go into the city is to go to the Green Market. There are vendors there that sell their eggs for 10.00 a dozen (more for marans and the blues. Many of these people move onto the Island for the summer. You should check out the farmers markets on long Island.I go to the one by Tanger outlets in Deer Park (no one sells eggs.) and Islip.Pay the monthly fee. Bring the eggs (even look into bringing some chicks for the kids to pet and take a photo with. Low Low over head