- Apr 7, 2013
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Hello,
I am a suburban wife who will soon be an modern appalachian homesteader. The homestead is bought, and has a barn with chicken coop addition, all nestled in a mountain 'holler'. This year will be chickenless, as we setup the homestead and take care of essentials. I plan to order hatchery chicks in the spring of 2014. I've been reading about chickens for a few years, and I'm very excited, but I want to do this right and be a good steward.
Our long term goal is to have a dual purpose flock. (My husband and I did a chicken butchering once a few years ago to make sure we could handle it and enjoy the food. In fact it made us appreciate our food all the more). The short term goal is to have a small, roosterless laying flock for eggs that will transition into a full, dual purpose flock in the coming years. Eventually we also want to have a few ducks and geese as well.
Our area has lots of wildlife, including predators: hawks, owls, coyote, bobcat, fox, and even an occasional big cat (cougar or panther). I would like to free range my fowl, but locals tell me good luck keeping any chickens at all, let alone free rangers. The previous owner had three strand electric wire surrounding the barn, garden and orchard areas. I plan to repair this existing fence, and also to secure the coop area with some wire/fence dug in around the outer walls. We will also be having a new dog or two to our household. We will look for midsize, mix breed rescue dog(s) showing shepherd or border collie traits.
I considered starting with a mixed pullet flock, to try out a few breeds before committing to one type. Breeds I'm considering are: Buckeye, Wyandotte, Chantecler, Dominique, Faverolle, Easter Eggers and Welsummer. I would want to stay away from white color strains due to our abundant raptors. I'm also wondering if I would do better with one breed instead of mixing breeds.
Book learning is valuable, but real life experience may save lives. If you live in an environment like mine, I welcome your advise, comments and stories. Thank you!
I am a suburban wife who will soon be an modern appalachian homesteader. The homestead is bought, and has a barn with chicken coop addition, all nestled in a mountain 'holler'. This year will be chickenless, as we setup the homestead and take care of essentials. I plan to order hatchery chicks in the spring of 2014. I've been reading about chickens for a few years, and I'm very excited, but I want to do this right and be a good steward.
Our long term goal is to have a dual purpose flock. (My husband and I did a chicken butchering once a few years ago to make sure we could handle it and enjoy the food. In fact it made us appreciate our food all the more). The short term goal is to have a small, roosterless laying flock for eggs that will transition into a full, dual purpose flock in the coming years. Eventually we also want to have a few ducks and geese as well.
Our area has lots of wildlife, including predators: hawks, owls, coyote, bobcat, fox, and even an occasional big cat (cougar or panther). I would like to free range my fowl, but locals tell me good luck keeping any chickens at all, let alone free rangers. The previous owner had three strand electric wire surrounding the barn, garden and orchard areas. I plan to repair this existing fence, and also to secure the coop area with some wire/fence dug in around the outer walls. We will also be having a new dog or two to our household. We will look for midsize, mix breed rescue dog(s) showing shepherd or border collie traits.
I considered starting with a mixed pullet flock, to try out a few breeds before committing to one type. Breeds I'm considering are: Buckeye, Wyandotte, Chantecler, Dominique, Faverolle, Easter Eggers and Welsummer. I would want to stay away from white color strains due to our abundant raptors. I'm also wondering if I would do better with one breed instead of mixing breeds.
Book learning is valuable, but real life experience may save lives. If you live in an environment like mine, I welcome your advise, comments and stories. Thank you!
