The Front Porch Swing

[lovingmyhens]

Bee, we need pictures of the Roo!!!! I love cochins...

I just totaled up my egg numbers for January! I gathered 259 eggs out of at most 14 birds.... I added four hens toward the end of the month, so at the beginning there wasn't as many. I am loving those numbers, but I know that my Golden comets are going to end up burning out very quickly.... I never get less than 4 eggs out of the 6 of them, and most days I get 6. I have 5 more pullets to start laying and my total will be up to 19 layers and 2 roosters... If I end up with a broody anytime this year, I will probably let her hatch some chicks to replenish, but I don't think I am going to be ordering any to brood on my own... That's too much work, and my hands are already full!

I need that rocking chair in the corner! I'm trying to make some major decisions about trying to go back to school and finish my nursing degree and then going on to get my Masters in Nursing Midwifery. This is going to be a major undertaking, with 4 kids ages 7 and under, and I am still trying to work out the details and logistics of everything. I'm worried that I won't be able to manage everything, but I really want to try. I put college on hold to have my kids, and now I think I want to jump back in and get it done!

When I found myself divorced at 40, I had some college under my belt from back in the day. But I realized that if I was going to support my girls, 5th grade 4th grade and 2nd grade, I had to go and finish what I started. Only someone who has done it before can really appreciate how truly hard it is. It took me 2 1/2 years, but I finally did it. Graduated in Dec of 2002 and have been a teacher ever since. I would say GO FOR IT if you have a really good support system. If you don't, go for it anyway, but just don't go with rose colored glasses. It will be the hardest thing you have ever done. Don't have crazy expectations, like you are going to take 21 hours and work full time! Start slow and figure out how much you are able to do the first semester. Good Luck!!

 

[Beekissed]

Bee, we need pictures of the Roo!!!! I love cochins...

I just totaled up my egg numbers for January! I gathered 259 eggs out of at most 14 birds.... I added four hens toward the end of the month, so at the beginning there wasn't as many. I am loving those numbers, but I know that my Golden comets are going to end up burning out very quickly.... I never get less than 4 eggs out of the 6 of them, and most days I get 6. I have 5 more pullets to start laying and my total will be up to 19 layers and 2 roosters... If I end up with a broody anytime this year, I will probably let her hatch some chicks to replenish, but I don't think I am going to be ordering any to brood on my own... That's too much work, and my hands are already full!

I need that rocking chair in the corner! I'm trying to make some major decisions about trying to go back to school and finish my nursing degree and then going on to get my Masters in Nursing Midwifery. This is going to be a major undertaking, with 4 kids ages 7 and under, and I am still trying to work out the details and logistics of everything. I'm worried that I won't be able to manage everything, but I really want to try. I put college on hold to have my kids, and now I think I want to jump back in and get it done!

I think you can do it. You seem to have strong family support and you are a strong woman...and it's just a few years of study and clinicals~the race always looks longer when viewed from the starting gate. When my boys were still teens and grade school I went back to school for two years for massage therapy. Was working full time, raising those boys by myself and going to school in the evenings. It was pretty fulfilling and exciting, though I was often exhausted...but my kids supported me all the way. I think you'll find your kids will be participating in your schooling right along with you so you won't feel like you are taking time away from them.

How exciting to be a midwife!! If I had to do it all over again I would have liked to have my children in that manner. You'll have to let us cheer you on from the cheap seats as you take on this new adventure!

Here's Fat Cochin, aka Leg Warmers

I think I know just the place I'll see this posted with a link to an order form!

Just wait 'til I do this natural nesting incubation experiment....why, it will be like it popped into that brain all by it's lonesome!

Is the 8th an auspicious egg setting date for everywhere, or just your area?

Just something I saw on a website Bruce posted....the Farmer's Almanac recommended hatch dates for each month this year.

bee make them baskets. i will market them. i will even dress in a chicken suit and deliver them to the door. man we would get good money for that.

For that I'll have to charge more...a lot more.

Will you do the chicken dance and the Bawk song?

Bruce, before Bee can choose you, you have to post a picture of yourself in the chicken suit.

We wouldn't want to scare the potential customers away.

Lisa

Here's the uniform...we're pretty low budget. These are the other guys trying out for the position.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

That bird is a character actor.

I'm on pins and needles regarding the natural incubation invention!

 

[Triple Willow]

hahaha!

 

[Triple Willow]

@Bee... remember how those Cabbage Patch Kids had adoption papers that went along with them? Your chicks will definitely need that. LOL

 

[Beekissed]

That bird is a character actor.

I'm on pins and needles regarding the natural incubation invention!

We got a camcorder today!

Going to be able to video this whole thing and start making vids for YouTube about chickens. Better than a book, huh?

Yes, you will all get to see my big, fat, hillbilly life on YT.... Going to talk about DL, free range, nests, roosts, rooster training, FF, coops....well...you get the picture.

 

[Triple Willow]

When I found myself divorced at 40, I had some college under my belt from back in the day. But I realized that if I was going to support my girls, 5th grade 4th grade and 2nd grade, I had to go and finish what I started. Only someone who has done it before can really appreciate how truly hard it is. It took me 2 1/2 years, but I finally did it. Graduated in Dec of 2002 and have been a teacher ever since. I would say GO FOR IT if you have a really good support system. If you don't, go for it anyway, but just don't go with rose colored glasses. It will be the hardest thing you have ever done. Don't have crazy expectations, like you are going to take 21 hours and work full time! Start slow and figure out how much you are able to do the first semester. Good Luck!! 

Good job!!!

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

We got a camcorder today! Going to be able to video this whole thing and start making vids for YouTube about chickens. Better than a book, huh? Yes, you will all get to see my big, fat, hillbilly life on YT.... Going to talk about DL, free range, nests, roosts, rooster training, FF, coops....well...you get the picture.

Yay!!!!!

 

[Beekissed]

@Bee... remember how those Cabbage Patch Kids had adoption papers that went along with them? Your chicks will definitely need that. LOL

We had just been talking about that today!

My youngest son and I were going on about how I could advertise them for adoption as foster chicks from a group home with a $10 adoption fee, a story about their life in the orphanage, pictures of their hatching and siblings, pics of their deadbeat dad and neglectful mom, and how much they really need a home. Will include basic instructions on how to make FF with a little baggy of starter FF, a little baggy of shavings for bedding, instructions on chick care and a hatch certificate with their little claw prints in ink on the certificate. Will include a feather from their mom as a security feather so the chick will feel less lonely and also recommend they buy at least two chicks so they can keep one another warm and for companionship.

 

[Triple Willow]

We got a camcorder today! Going to be able to video this whole thing and start making vids for YouTube about chickens. Better than a book, huh? Yes, you will all get to see my big, fat, hillbilly life on YT.... Going to talk about DL, free range, nests, roosts, rooster training, FF, coops....well...you get the picture.

Sounds great! Don't forget canning, how to make bread, etc.