What do you wish you had known before you got your chickens

[write2caroline]

I wish I was not a sucker to chicken math. I did research and started with 3 hen which I totally loved and got curious about other breeds which led to 5 more then 8 more then the special on the brown variety pack...... I learned later that my favorites were buff orps and austrolopes. I wish I had the patience to wait until I could get them at the same time. I made all kinds of mistakes.
I learned a lot! I am still learning.
Caroline

 

[hosspak]

I'm posting this here and now so I don't become the "I wish I knew then, what I didn't know now" guy, after the fact.... I read a lot of posts regarding culling due to ; disease, food, unwanted traits, and many more reasons. Do people cull unwanted hatched roos?

 

[Wednesday]

I'm posting this here and now so I don't become the "I wish I knew then, what I didn't know now" guy, after the fact.... I read a lot of posts regarding culling due to ; disease, food, unwanted traits, and many more reasons. Do people cull unwanted hatched roos?

I think it depends on person. Cull doesn't have to mean kill. It can also mean to get rid of. I have 34 straight run chickens in brooders now. I am only keeping 15 hens. I will offer to sell the roosters to people who want them first and I will butcher the rest if I am brave enough when the time comes to eat animals I have raised. My breeder sells the roosters on craigslist as soon as she sexs them. I don't want roosters even though I can have them due to the crowing.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

I'm posting this here and now so I don't become the "I wish I knew then, what I didn't know now" guy, after the fact.... I read a lot of posts regarding culling due to ; disease, food, unwanted traits, and many more reasons. Do people cull unwanted hatched roos?

A lot of people plan on eating their roosters. Just don't name them or make pets of them. Also good idea to not let your family name or play with them until you know which ones you are keeping. IMHO.

 

[newbie32]

OMG! That video is hilarious and I sound just like that!

I was just talking about sneaking some goats in at my house so I could make cheese and soap!

I guess we are all in good company and at least I'm not alone!

Soap? How do you make soap out of goat milk?



Wait maybe I don't want to know- I am also considering sneaking a goat in the backyard and my landlord would throw a fit because my town wont allow them and when I asked to get the chickens he specifically said no goats! I think he knew they are a gateway animal!!!

 

[PrimroseMom1]

Soap? How do you make soap out of goat milk?



Wait maybe I don't want to know- I am also considering sneaking a goat in the backyard and my landlord would throw a fit because my town wont allow them and when I asked to get the chickens he specifically said no goats! I think he knew they are a gateway animal!!!

You do know that a goat only produces milk if it has just. had a baby, right. Just like a human. So if you want goat milk, you have to breed your goat. Soap is made from the milk.

 

[hosspak]

A lot of people plan on eating their roosters. Just don't name them or make pets of them. Also good idea to not let your family name or play with them until you know which ones you are keeping. IMHO.

Yeah, amen to that. Grandkids are definitely pains in the butt when it comes to attachments.... They see Buffy, while I see BBQ.

 

[CluckCluck18]

Wednesday, I'm so glad to hear that you have started a new flock! Good luck to you!

 

[Wednesday]

Wednesday, I'm so glad to hear that you have started a new flock! Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for the nice post. I'm hoping that the third times the charm. All the chicks have lived to see their second week. I'm sure there are many adventures to come. Thanks again!

 

[newbie32]

You do know that a goat only produces milk if it has just. had a baby, right. Just like a human. So if you want goat milk, you have to breed your goat. Soap is made from the milk.

Yeah I know, but I also know that they will produce for up to 2 years without the baby goat as long as they are milked 2 times a day. So I don't need the baby-I would sell it. Unfortunately I was specifically told NO. Hmmm soap, milk, cheese, meat-goats are tempting. Can I make butter with goats milk too?