The Old Folks Home

[Amberjem]

as to Brahmas

We have had them in the past, because they do have a good reputation for cold weather.

My kids did like the hens, sweet things that would let the boys cuddle them etc.

However, I just got the heebie jeebies whenever I looked at them, ALL those feathers, ALL that body mass, and not that many eggs, AND the eggs they laid were medium.

Every time I looked at them, I could see my money washing down the drain.


That is one reason I have moved over to the 'egg layer' type of chickens. I like knowing that my money is being used for eggs, not extra fluff.

And yes, my skinny little guys do look at bit colder, but they deal with it.

oh man but they have such tasty looking cute rumps.....

I had planned on trying to get some wormwood to grow in the freerange area in a wire enclosure so anything that grows out the birds could forage and it could help with worming pest issues I have a few plants I had plans for

 

[hennible]

I guess there wasn't much to my brahma when she moulted... I thought wow what a big bird, then I saw her in moult and was quite surprised how small she really was.

 

[hennible]

Free is good. It's just how one incorporates it into their management.

I don't know if this would work for your situation but if it were me, I would gratefully accept the hay, use it to feed my larger animals or sell it and use the proceeds to buy some shavings.

It's a great idea but not practical in my situation... If issue continue I will switch my bedding type.

 

[Goose Girl]

I see you lurking there! 

Okay, lets start a discussion.  I have 45 or so chickens and three guineas.  I want everything else I see, goats, geese, llamas, donkeys.  I am conflicted between my love of my animals and the concessions my family has to make for me to have them.  There is the time I must devote to them, the money I spend that could be put elsewhere and the emotional attachment I develope.  Is there anyone else who worries that they are not being fair to the rest of the clan?

 

[Goose Girl]

Wow! You sound just like me. My family thinks I'm nuts for doing what I do. Taking care of alot of critters but I would not have it any other way. My "kids" make me happy and after all it is MY money I spend on their wellbeing so my familybreally can't say anything. Right?

 

[drumstick diva]

Nah, I'm an empty nester and my family is quite happy if I don't bother them for anything. I am the one that everyone calls when they need to vent. Nobody wants to return the favor.

 

[hennible]

Sure, my love of animals stresses my hubby out... And $235 I just spent on an incubator could have went many places... My husband keeps me in check though or I'd be overrun with creatures (he loves animals to). I'm definitely enjoying having my children grow up with our own meat and eggs it's exciting to see how much my two-year-old has learned about where food really comes from. Losses are always really difficult, no animal is replaceable but there are always more that need our attention when we lose one... I couldn't imagine my life without animals even when they stress me out, even when they cost a lot of money, there's no other way I would want to live. I think we all just need to find a balance, how many animals do we really have time to take good care of and still be able to devote time to our families... I get what you're saying.
It's good to have you in the thread goose girl.

 

[JW12]

Welcome goose girl! My family and I are in this craziness together. We talked about chickens for a few years before we got them (the ducks were a surprise we just saw and fell in love with lol). All our animals are taken care of as a family. It's a way we found to spend a lot of time together and just have fun. So it has brought us closer and we spend more time together because of them. The girls have their own breeds chickens and duck that they picked out. That keeps them interested. The boy (18) just likes being outside and his buddy's come and help him with some of the chores so they can take eggs home. So our house it is a "we" thing that we do.

 

[JW12]

That's the biggest post I have ever made! Good lord I'm tired now!!

 

[ronott1]

That's the biggest post I have ever made! Good lord I'm tired now!!

Good Job!

It was not that long, unless you are on a phone?