This thread has me really intrested now. We moved into the country this last year and I have been thinking about this lately. Like reading what everybody has to say about it.
I have researched this to death and one thing I can gather is it is very little work (once established) and huge gains (eggs, meat, and so much fun to watch) .... so unless you are lazy like Aaron ... you will probably love it! I will add a dozen meat chickens next year with a tractor like Bruce .... love that idea ...
I think buying a dozen LOCAL eggs might be the answer for me. That's all I really care about is getting LOCAL eggs. I can see having pride in raising chickens but I might just go this route. Besides, its no fun now that the wife gave the okay. I was kinda hoping she wouldn't.
My chickens aren't afraid of much other than hawks and strange dogs. If you buy local eggs.... get ones from pastured or free range hens. And not 'vegetarian fed' ones either. (unless they mean they're grinding up vegetarians to feed to the chickens.) Chickens that eat some greens, eat critters that don't eat them first, a bit of exercise and sunshine provide superior eggs. Much better tasting and more omega3s too. Really. The store that sells my chickens eggs gets 5.79 doz for jumbos and 5.49 for Xl. They sell out quickly.
Thanks for the advice. You are full of good info unlike a certain preachin' chicken farmer I know. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
PT chickens are a blast to have. I used to sit and watch them for hours in the afternoon just relaxing. They call it chicken TV. They can and will entertain you for hours. I had white leg horns, rhode island reds, black sex links, brahamas, turkeys, and guineas. I liked my turkeys the best. There is nothing better than having fresh eggs everyday. My family members would save me their egg cartons and I'd give them eggs as the chickens laid more eggs than I could ever eat. I let mine free range way to much with out supervision and lost quite a few to a bobcat. I'm in the process of making a new coop so that they can have protection and be outside more. The chicken tractor is a great idea and I want to make one. I had a couple roosters and they were the first to get eaten. All but one. My turkeys kept him from being to rough with the ladies as the Tom would get after him if a hen ever started squawking. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Its amazing how fast they grow.
Tony also check out BYC.com or google back yard chicken forum. BYC has tons of great info, from feed, to eggs, incubating, doctoring, coop builing plans, and lots of great people
We had chickens growing up. I was not a fan. The roosters crow too early, they crap everywhere, they stink, and someone has to clean the coop. Unfortunately, that person was me...and I absolutely hated it. Especially in the summer. Those damn things would follow me everywhere, too. Even when I would go hunting...yeah I used to hunt. People watch chickens? Thats a thing? Damn, you guys must be bored. But I'll gladly take neck hackles from those willing to share.
Colby .. I am a member of BYC.com :D I will be updating this post with pics ... now that the weather broke, I can get busy on the barn alterations for the coop ...
Good deal PT glad to hear it. You will have fun with them as they are constant entertainment. Vito out of the three channels I grew up with I'd take watching chickens over any show on the tube. (Well Walker Texas Ranger may trump some chicken watching.)
Vito what exactly of the hackles do you need? PM me your address and next time I butcher I may send ya some
