Cockadoodledooooo

[scfr]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

If you can't handle the butchering, take them to your local buther. We can take in 12, he will butcher all adn we get to keep 6 at no charge, and he takes 6 for the fees.

That's really good to know - thanks! [Apologies to the vegetarians on the board.]

[nanamom]

I was just talking to my DH about the possibility of raising hens for eggs. We are vegetarians so the meat is out. We need to look into the regs here. I'm not sure it would be worth the trouble except for the educational part for DS2. I can't keep them in cages, would have to give them free reign of their part of the yard OK< maybe that's just a really big cage but at least they could run a bit when the dog barks!

[mom-from-missouri]

Originally Posted by Duchesse

Wow, you're a real farmer.


Do you raise goats
Can you tell me, what do you mean when you say "I have not wintered my chickens?"

I'd like a goat, I think it would help me with the lawn, by cutting down on the mowing. But the climb everything and eat everything..

We don't keep the chickens or pigs over the winter months. They get sold/butchered. That builds up our meat supply and saves us from feeding them in the cold, or loosing some due to ice and snow and cold weather.

[Duchesse]

Hey Mom, can you tell me where to get feeding for the chicks at a good price? The prices are . I'm only considering this for fun and some chicken for personal use but I don't want to go broke.

[mom-from-missouri]

I free range mostly, and add kitchen and garden scraps. Best place to buy feed is at a farm feed supply--about $5 for a 50 lb bag. DONT get it at a pet place, you will pay $7 for a 5 lb bag there!
Your feed and water will last longer if you put them in hanging containers, hung just about 5 inches above ground-or more, depending on your chickens heigth. (Idea is to keep them from...walking in and pooping...in their food )

[Fern]

i think raising chickens is an excellent way to obtain organic cheap sources of protein. Altho i don't ea eggs, my sister raises chickens and ducks. She's got 3 acres in suburbia. She also has bees.