Spring 2017 first timers post!

[Treerooted]

@naturegeek168 Ontario (Canada) There's an egg board here so things are strict. If you want to sell anywhere other then on your property you have to get the eggs graded - but there are practical and financial barriers for a small farm to do so. It is what it is, so we'll make do!

My chicks are doing awesome! After a rough start all is well thank goodness. How's the weather been up there? Its getting nice finally down here in MA. You're lucky to live on a farm. I've been looking for more acreage for years. We have a little over an acre mostly cleared but there is also 9 acres of protected land right behind my house (wooded) but the neighborhood owns it jointly. I would love to find a smaller house on about 5 acres or more but I'm picky and so is my DH. I really wanted an antique house with a barn but so far none have worked out. Many antique houses around here are set right on the road and I just don't want that etc. So now we are talking about buying some land and building. My second child is off to college in the fall and I have one more in high school so its time to downsize on the house and upsize on the land

This neighborhood was great for my kids growing up but now we need more space for my animals. But with two kids in college and another that wants to go to medical school we have to keep our finances in mind. Would it be bad if I just told my kids they have to pay for their own college because I want more chickens?

Ya, we're warming up too! (slowly) We ended up with 60 acres (half wooded) and a huge century home, but we're just starting our family (youngest isn't 2 yet), so we've got lots of room to grow! And lots of room for chickens, though we've got the money problem too without me working right now. I'd like to see how well I could make homesteading work for us. You need some sort of 'chicken tax' on the money you lend out

So fellow newbies....my chicks will be ready next week...finally! So the new chick pictures won't have dried up completely yet

 

[jbrianchamberli]

I'm new but have been thinking about doing this for a few years now. Finally pulled the trigger and bought 5 chicks last week. The brooder has been in our kitchen and so far it hasn't been a problem. I started on the coop last night. I think I should be able to have it framed out by the end of the weekend. By next weekend I hope to get the sides of the house done and the window installed. Then the roof, the roofing, and then the hardware cloth. I'm leaving a week for each stage so I should be on target to get them outside when they're ready.

Been a lot of fun so far.

 

[Silence]

Well, the babies are 2 weeks old. Lotsa new feathers on their wings and tails, except Ethel which makes me fearful she is an Eddie. I'm tired of changing their water three times a day because they are so messy, even with it lifted up off the bottom of the brooder. I'm going to go look for those nipple feeder things tonight. I was wondering when we can give them treats, they seem bored, though they are enjoying roosting. Some even sleep on the roosting dowel now. I'm so proud.

 

[kimberlychicks]

i had 75 diffrent kinds chickens befor boy that was lot eggs no mre I got 7 chicks this time round and that good

 

[kimberlychicks]

i hear you there 7 all i want becuess i even had problem just give them away

 

[kimberlychicks]

mine are in shed and they done good so far there 4 weeks get big

 

[kimberlychicks]

there pretty what kinds do you have i have buff orpington black australorp

 

[Silence]

there pretty what kinds do you have i have buff orpington black australorp

Have 2 Austras, 2 RIR and 4 Ameraucana.

 

[VeggieGoneEggie]

Well, the babies are 2 weeks old. Lotsa new feathers on their wings and tails, except Ethel which makes me fearful she is an Eddie. I'm tired of changing their water three times a day because they are so messy, even with it lifted up off the bottom of the brooder. I'm going to go look for those nipple feeder things tonight. I was wondering when we can give them treats, they seem bored, though they are enjoying roosting. Some even sleep on the roosting dowel now. I'm so proud.

I feel you on the water thing. The only nipples I've found for sale at the stores around here say "for adult birds only" ... but does everyone feel like 1-2 week old chicks can use them?

Which one is Ethel/Eddie?

 

[kimberlychicks]

so are they lay eggs yet