Our First Post, Pre-Chickens

So, I was asked by a friend to blog about raising chickens, so I am.

Before you ready this, know that I have NEVER owned a chicken before. I have eaten both chickens and eggs :). My great-grandparents raised chickens, as well as other livestock, and I remember chasing and being chased by chickens. I remember cute little chicks, being hovered over by the hen, while we did our best to distract her, so we could grab and play with the chicks. That is the extent of my expertise.

This blog may end up being a "how not to do it" blog, in the end. We will learn and grow together, hopefully without "blood on our hands" (except for the "time to eat them" part).

 I have read some books, done some reasearch, and am about to partake on a road that hopefully, will lead to healthy and happily raised chickens that will lead to a future of happy and more healthy human consumers.

Just to let everyone know, the husband is not on board with the entire process. He has been "outvoted" and will help out, but he is not enthusiastic about any part of the process. I am hoping to change his mind, and turn him into a happy chicken owner, during this process.

So, with that, here we go...

We live on a 20+ acre (up till now) horse farm. Because of my illness (cancer) we had to give up the horse training/riding instruction part of our farm. So, here we are with 20 acres of weeds.

We talked with our neighbor and have offered 15 acres of "free hay" if they want it, in return for 100 square bales (which will feed my personal horses for a year). Last year they were able to harvest over 300 square and dozens of round bales. If this continues this year, then we will "get our pasture mowed" for free.

I am growing my own vegetable garden this year. I've started carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, green/red/yellow bell peppers, and some others. I'm also going to plant a bunch of corn and green beans. We have SEVERAL "wild" blackberries on our property, enough that I was able to EASILY pick and can over 20 jars worth of jam and syrup.

Now with the chickens, we will be growing/raising our own eggs and meat (hopefully, if I can butcher them) as well.

 Back to the chickens. We have a 3 sided shed that we had been using for wood shavings storage. Now that we are out of the horse business, it stands empty, so I am converting it into a coop.

Here is a before picture:

The "junk" laying around it, is all stuff I'm saving to use in the completion of this shed. I have now completed running chicken wire along the entire inside bottom. This will keep chickens from digging out, and varmints from digging in. I used old horseshoes to help "nail down" the wire into the ground.

I completed the wire today.

The next step in the coop is for dear hubby, and his friend to put on a roof (made of of old tin).

I have also ordered my chicks. Here is that I ordered from Cackle Hatchery: 5 Rhode Island Red pullets (hens), 5 White Leghorns, and 5 Sexlinks (this is a crossbreed), and one Brown Leghorn cockerel (rooster). I also want to add to my chickens one (or two) white Silkies. I can't add them right now, because there is a minimum 15 order, and I really don't need 15 in addition to what I will already have. So I'm researching to see where I can just get the one or two. I want to have them, because they will be my brooding hens.

Why/what do I need a brooding hen for? I want my chickens to be egg layers, not mothers. However, I also want to have babies to keep my numbers up. Having one (or two) designated moms will allow my other hens to do their jobs (laying eggs) while freeing them up to keep laying. If they start mothering, then they will not only quit laying, but will get in bad habits of fighting other hens and pecking the hands grabbing eggs. IF I want chicks, then I can simply move the silkies to a quieter location, and place the eggs with her to mother/raise.

My new chicks will arrive on April 24th. Until then, I'm focusing on getting the coop completed.

They won't be able to go into the coop for a while, until then, they will be in an old water trough, in the barn, with a heat lamp/food/water.

Will update later...