Hello Everyone! My first post to BYC was in the New Member Introduction thread and I mentioned that I had some goals with my chickens and wanted to share my journey. I am moving the thread here since that one is not correct place for my continued journey.
Recap: I ordered my first flock from Murray McMurray, 15 Buff Orpingtons 9 cockerel and 6 pullets (I'll explain the numbers later). I spent weeks researching breeds and landed on Buff Orpingtons. Here are my reasons why: Cold tolerance, disposition, good brooding, dual purpose, good at free range and they can tolerate smaller amounts of space if necessary. As a child I helped manage the chickens that my mother and grandparents had, though my tasks were exclusive to feeding, watering, and playing with them. This will be my first flock that I will share the responsibilities with my lovely wife and when the time comes relinquish some chores to my children. We got our chicks in the mail all 15 were ready for the brooder and food. Murray McMurray includes an extra exotic chick with the purchase. Look it over we went to the internet to determine what breed it was. Because of its feathered legs/feet and colors the search was narrowed down to either a Buff Brahma (my pick and confident about it) or a Cochin which others have suggested based on the pictures I’ve showed them. So far, all the B.O. are lively they eat/drink and scratch quite a bit, but the Brahma has been lethargic. The second day every time we went in to check on them it was standing eyes closed under the heat lamp. I showed it the water and food by putting it’s beak in it and a few times it would eat or drink when I did it, most times it wouldn’t. We gave it a yoke and scrambled eggs and it wasn’t interested, though none of the chicks were actually. After a couple of days observing it, I noticed that it eat and drink on it’s own just less than the others. It seems like it just enjoys hanging out and getting snuggles from the other chicks or us I’ll do my best to provide for this little one so it will survive if it is having issues, though I’m not oblivious to losing a chick or two. This first brooder I put together was a large box that my miter saw came in, quickly I realized this wouldn’t last long and went to make a larger one. I also had a difficult time keeping the area at a consistent temperature between 90-95. Either it would go way high or way low. After purchasing a 175W red bulb instead of a 250W, making a larger area and getting a Thermo-Brooder, the area stayed consistent and the chicks seemed to go where they wanted some under the lamp or Thermo-Brooder some around the food or water and others sleeping on top of a clump of sod a member here suggested giving them as a fun treat and boy it was fun to watch them.
Goals: My initial goal is to become self-sustaining, first with eggs, then with meat. The only problem is I cannot raise enough chickens in my current location to provide adequate meat for my family for the entire year. With this realization I am adjusting this goal to reduce the need for us to purchase chicken from the store. I would like to reduce the burden that has been created by not providing for yourself. The commercialization of livestock has created at times unpleasant and often horrendous conditions. I am not blind to the reasons why, why it continues, and is necessary. Though I understand that if I reduce the need and if more people do the same, farmers can change their practices hopefully for the better. Also, an added benefit to raising my own chickens is that I will know exactly what is going into them, obviously when they are free ranging that will not be the case. Though I will know that things I disagree with will not be given to my chickens, which means same for my family.
BIG GOALS: Starting with my flock I want to create a breed that is perfect for my family and eventually other families. The area I live in is cold during the winters and once summer finally starts it gets really hot. Since I live in the city and I enjoy keeping a good relationship with my neighbors, I also want a breed that tends to be quieter. Luckily, I live in a city that has no regulations on chickens except that I need a structure for them i.e. a chicken coop. I want to be an advocate locally for chickens, so that We can retain our right to the pursuit of happiness (providing food for our family). Since many cities are adopting ordinance that limit the amount and or outright bans chickens or roosters. I want to show and prove that raising chickens even on a small scale is possible and less disruptive then, let’s say that neighbor dog that is barking in a 100-degree kennel. I also want to teach our youth and anyone for that matter where your meat comes from and why it’s important to understand proper husbandry techniques. Since I’m a novice at this I still have a lot of learning to do before this happens. Eventually, I want to get a large piece of land and create a homestead, but until then I'll be doing some Urban Homesteading!
The Journey: I’ll continue to post updates on this thread in the form of pictures and comments, I’ll also be asking questions here or in other locations so that I can learn and offer a higher level of husbandry. Feel free to leave a comment I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Michael Celaya
Recap: I ordered my first flock from Murray McMurray, 15 Buff Orpingtons 9 cockerel and 6 pullets (I'll explain the numbers later). I spent weeks researching breeds and landed on Buff Orpingtons. Here are my reasons why: Cold tolerance, disposition, good brooding, dual purpose, good at free range and they can tolerate smaller amounts of space if necessary. As a child I helped manage the chickens that my mother and grandparents had, though my tasks were exclusive to feeding, watering, and playing with them. This will be my first flock that I will share the responsibilities with my lovely wife and when the time comes relinquish some chores to my children. We got our chicks in the mail all 15 were ready for the brooder and food. Murray McMurray includes an extra exotic chick with the purchase. Look it over we went to the internet to determine what breed it was. Because of its feathered legs/feet and colors the search was narrowed down to either a Buff Brahma (my pick and confident about it) or a Cochin which others have suggested based on the pictures I’ve showed them. So far, all the B.O. are lively they eat/drink and scratch quite a bit, but the Brahma has been lethargic. The second day every time we went in to check on them it was standing eyes closed under the heat lamp. I showed it the water and food by putting it’s beak in it and a few times it would eat or drink when I did it, most times it wouldn’t. We gave it a yoke and scrambled eggs and it wasn’t interested, though none of the chicks were actually. After a couple of days observing it, I noticed that it eat and drink on it’s own just less than the others. It seems like it just enjoys hanging out and getting snuggles from the other chicks or us I’ll do my best to provide for this little one so it will survive if it is having issues, though I’m not oblivious to losing a chick or two. This first brooder I put together was a large box that my miter saw came in, quickly I realized this wouldn’t last long and went to make a larger one. I also had a difficult time keeping the area at a consistent temperature between 90-95. Either it would go way high or way low. After purchasing a 175W red bulb instead of a 250W, making a larger area and getting a Thermo-Brooder, the area stayed consistent and the chicks seemed to go where they wanted some under the lamp or Thermo-Brooder some around the food or water and others sleeping on top of a clump of sod a member here suggested giving them as a fun treat and boy it was fun to watch them.
Goals: My initial goal is to become self-sustaining, first with eggs, then with meat. The only problem is I cannot raise enough chickens in my current location to provide adequate meat for my family for the entire year. With this realization I am adjusting this goal to reduce the need for us to purchase chicken from the store. I would like to reduce the burden that has been created by not providing for yourself. The commercialization of livestock has created at times unpleasant and often horrendous conditions. I am not blind to the reasons why, why it continues, and is necessary. Though I understand that if I reduce the need and if more people do the same, farmers can change their practices hopefully for the better. Also, an added benefit to raising my own chickens is that I will know exactly what is going into them, obviously when they are free ranging that will not be the case. Though I will know that things I disagree with will not be given to my chickens, which means same for my family.
BIG GOALS: Starting with my flock I want to create a breed that is perfect for my family and eventually other families. The area I live in is cold during the winters and once summer finally starts it gets really hot. Since I live in the city and I enjoy keeping a good relationship with my neighbors, I also want a breed that tends to be quieter. Luckily, I live in a city that has no regulations on chickens except that I need a structure for them i.e. a chicken coop. I want to be an advocate locally for chickens, so that We can retain our right to the pursuit of happiness (providing food for our family). Since many cities are adopting ordinance that limit the amount and or outright bans chickens or roosters. I want to show and prove that raising chickens even on a small scale is possible and less disruptive then, let’s say that neighbor dog that is barking in a 100-degree kennel. I also want to teach our youth and anyone for that matter where your meat comes from and why it’s important to understand proper husbandry techniques. Since I’m a novice at this I still have a lot of learning to do before this happens. Eventually, I want to get a large piece of land and create a homestead, but until then I'll be doing some Urban Homesteading!
The Journey: I’ll continue to post updates on this thread in the form of pictures and comments, I’ll also be asking questions here or in other locations so that I can learn and offer a higher level of husbandry. Feel free to leave a comment I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Michael Celaya
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