So I've developed an allergy to every animal except-chickens and cattle.
For my power, I have used horses. Quiet frankly after a lifetime of working with them-I'm looking for something calmer, slower, and steadier that can be my all-in-one animal.
The problem is I don't have room for 2 oxen...
I'm new to mushrooms. Mine are kept indoors (portobello) and its my first kit. My question is, if I allow some of the mushrooms in the bed to over mature and spore, can I use that layer of soil in fresh kits/beds and avoid re-ordering? This would drive the cost way down for me and allow me to...
I haven't been active for a while-long story. But right before I had to shut my internet off for repairs to the home a very strange thing happened to one of the flocks on a separate property.
The Property:
10 acres-8 cleared -2 wooded. There is about 1/8 of a mile away a very large spring...
Two choices of Easter Egger chicks! Same breeding for each:
Dams of the chicks are 1 of 4 lines. 3 of the 4 are (bb, oo). The Last line is (Bb, Oo). Sire is (OO) for blue eggs. Parent stock is rigorously maintained and no chicken that is: Aggressive, ever been sick, showed deformity, suffered...
These EE's are treated just like breeding lines for show birds. All of the parents have always been free from illness. Any bird that gets sick for any reason is removed from parent breeding stock pens.
Sire is a Greenfire Farm Crested Cream Legbar Rooster for all of these eggs.
Dams vary...
Here is a list of Pros and Cons that perhaps you can add too or rearrange according to your needs.
Pros:
Provide Eggs/Meat usually at or slightly above store cost
Control over your food source and quality
Entertainment
Good pets
Can get AG tax break in some areas
Feed can be supplemented to...
I wouldn't feed only scraps as well.
You can ration out feed for the layers by calculating about 1.5oz per lbs. of mature chicken if they are free ranging. Put no more than that in a feeder per day and see if they eat it all or not if you're running tight on feed. If they eat every drop...
Feed stores receive most of their chicks from hatcheries anyway. They are just handling the losses and getting the refunds in lieu of you. They may get more discounted prices since they order in such bulk, however they may mark up the price of the chick where neither option is cheaper. If...
Mix of eggs from 3 different strains. Majority of them are bantam bred but a few LF eggs. 12 Eggs + any extras. All strains are free of any health problems and have never had a medical or parasite concern. No egg drop, infection, etc. The eggs you receive may be any color, but what hatches from...
Hello All!
I just picked up 24 bulbs of asparagus. 8 are purple and the rest are NJ hybrid. We are avid asparagus eaters.
I was looking for some tips on planting them. I plan on having them in row planters that are moveable. The bulbs seem dry. It says they are "2 year old" roots on the...
Congradualtions on buying the house and coming to BYC!
So sorry about your loss though .
Chickens can die from multiple things that can really sneak up on us. Certain breeds are also more prone to more subtle illness.
As others have said check for:
-Lice, mites, ticks. This can cause...
Welcome to BYC!
I'd also suggest researching feeds and which feeds you think would be good for you and your situation. Also, if you can, pick up a copy of "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens". Its a great book that will give you a great introduction to most things chicken.
I'd also recommend...