Any one raising poultry?

[Omegaman]

I am working on converting an old tool shed-12X12 into a chicken coop. ( not today -10 outside without windchill ) I want to be ready for chicks this spring. I think I will stick to older hardy dual purpose birds like rhode island reds , new hampshire reds and speckled sussex. That way I will have roasters and egg layers. I think with the size of my coop I can only raise 40 birds. I figure I will barter extra eggs and the roasters well I will butcher those myself and fill my freezer. I hope to only have to purchase chicks this once and from now on my flock would be self sustaining. If people want I can post picture of the project. Plus any suggestions people may have on breeds or any thing to do with raising birds would be great.

[TheLastMountainMan]

Theres a guy over on TOM who has or is raiseing chickens, www.TheOmegaMan.org He goes by Thorian.

[Brosia]

I'm hoping to have a small coop this spring... just have to wait to get the fencing up around my yard, 'cause keeping chickens in my village is frowned upon. With a 6 foot stockade fence, I figure what they don't know won't hurt them. My only problem (besides the dog and cats) would be having a rooster, as they are noisy.


Here's a good site:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/

[voodoo]

Currently, don't have a flock. Over the years I have had them on several occasions. I have always kept Bantam breeds. Smaller, but most lay well and are good eating birds. They also sit well on eggs, so you are almost constantly having chicks. Once I finally settle down, (been moving every couple years), I plan on getting a permanent flock.

[David M.]

I've had chickens for years. There's a breed called Black Australorps, they lay just about year round. Most hens stop laying when the days start getting shorter, daylight that is. You can trick them a little by putting a light in your henhouse. We got eggs today and it never got above 25 degrees. The more they lay, the quicker they run out of eggs. Prolific layers will get "shot out" in about 18 months. Then you put them in the pot! Get you a catalog from Murry McMurry hatchery, or go to the website. It goes into great detail for each breed.

[flight or fight]

Don't forget to buy a few bags of oyster shells. My dad used to feed them to our chickens to keep them from eating their own eggs.

[Zombie Axe]

Was gonna do this over Christmas... but I had some other projects that took over... will have them by the end of May...

[Rustyshakelford]

See if this helps anyone. I do not like the feathered rats, but to each their own.

http://odessa.craigslist.org/grd/993325318.html

[kenno]

Rusty they aint rats they's dinosaurs!
Ever hear of a 'chicken tractor', unfortunately it does not plow fields, if it did I'd be in the money.
A Chicken Tractor is a portable covered framework about 16-24" high and up to 12 feet wide, they are used to free-range chickens in pastures. The chickens eat insects, airiate the soil and fertilize all at the same time. It is a bit labor intensive, moving the tractor and chasing loose chickens but in an off-grid society it replaces insecticides, and imported fertilizer as well as producing protien.

[Rustyshakelford]

Rusty they aint rats they's dinosaurs!
Ever hear of a 'chicken tractor', unfortunately it does not plow fields, if it did I'd be in the money.
A Chicken Tractor is a portable covered framework about 16-24" high and up to 12 feet wide, they are used to free-range chickens in pastures. The chickens eat insects, airiate the soil and fertilize all at the same time. It is a bit labor intensive, moving the tractor and chasing loose chickens but in an off-grid society it replaces insecticides, and imported fertilizer as well as producing protien.

Rabbits. Much better!! More versatile!

[kenno]

If rabbits laid easter eggs year round I'd agree with you, but I need my morning blood cloting agent as much as I need my coffee!
PS rabbits make great draft animals!

[Rustyshakelford]

If rabbits laid easter eggs year round I'd agree with you, but I need my morning blood cloting agent as much as I need my coffee!
PS rabbits make great draft animals!

Darn it. I was trying to bait you with the "Easter Bunny" thing. You suck!! I actually really like Rabbit, but am not much on chicken. I do like eggs though. One of the guys I work with raises chickens, so I get 30 eggs for $5.00. Real thick shells and yellow yolks. Makes real good holandaise.

[OneBadPig]

Our place already had a coop with a small fenced yard so i got a six of those Easter chicks. Only 1 was a hen and the dogs got her and 3 roosters before i figured out how often the wings need trimming. At friends and neighbors houses their dogs would chase and scatter the chickens but do no real harm.
I plan on getting some laying hens in the spring for eggs, but wont be able to set the birds on "bug patrol" unless i keep the dogs penned up.

[Brosia]

was hoping to get a set-up like this going come springtime:

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/silveira44a.html

I was thinking of rabbits too, but I know the kids will think of them as pets, not food. And I don't know if I like rabbit meat, I know I do like eggs.

[flight or fight]

Very nice efficent set up. If things get tight i might try that in one corner of the garden.