For the love of chickens

[DharmaGirl]

I have 5 brahmas and now 10 black copper marans and I live where it rains 6 to 8 months of the year, lol. I put down straw twice during the rainy season. They love it! The eat the seeds and the dogs roll in it. I'm growing oats in my raised bed grass feeders. That way they have lots to eat. I really wish I only had some neighbors. I gave my friends across the street eggs yesterday. I still have too many, but soon the broody season will start and I don't want to oversell. I love to give stuff to people. It makes me happy to see them happy. A new customer stood me up at the grocery so I had a dozen eggs with me. There was a young man in the car next to me counting out his change and looking for more. I told him what happened and asked if he wanted the eggs. He was so happy! I was glad to be able to cause him happiness.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Well....I like to take picture of chickens and other feathery friends. But mostly, I love chicken-fried chicken-my most favorite food since I was really little....since I can ever remember. So I'm a chicken lover! Does this kind of chicken loving count??

 

[DharmaGirl]

Well....I like to take picture of chickens and other feathery friends. But mostly, I love chicken-fried chicken-my most favorite food since I was really little....since I can ever remember. So I'm a chicken lover! Does this kind of chicken loving count??

Lol, that counts too! I have 8 roosters for you!

 

[DharmaGirl]

I traded a chicken to my farmer friend who I had given 4 chickens to prior. Suitcase, who's mom was Traveller since she would get out a lot, started taking after her mom. We did the switch this morning, and Alfalfa is happy there, since she is with her other friends, and Suitcase remains crazy. Some things never change, lol.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Looking forward to new chicks at the end of the week! Easter Eggers, 1 lavender Orpington, buff Orpingtons, buff Brahmas, and birchen Orpingtons. Can you tell I miss the Orpingtons I gave my mom? I don't know where I'm going to get fertilized eggs when my hens go broody. I don't think my cocks will be old enough by then. Actually it will be close. Good, then I don't have to buy eggs.

 

[DharmaGirl]

There is a lot of peeping coming from my incubator. I love hearing those peeps inside the eggs!

 

[blackemerald1]

I was glad to be able to cause him happiness.

^I love how you spread the joy @DharmaGirl !! :hug:

There has been a panic buy of chickens here.
I'm not sure I'm pleased to see it, because I'm fairly sure most of the buyers are not really ready to care for their chicks long term. I think we're going to have a lot of escapee chickens when this is over. lol

 

[Mee]

^I love how you spread the joy @DharmaGirl !! :hug:

There has been a panic buy of chickens here.
I'm not sure I'm pleased to see it, because I'm fairly sure most of the buyers are not really ready to care for their chicks long term. I think we're going to have a lot of escapee chickens when this is over. lol

^I love how you spread the joy @DharmaGirl !! :hug:

There has been a panic buy of chickens here.
I'm not sure I'm pleased to see it, because I'm fairly sure most of the buyers are not really ready to care for their chicks long term. I think we're going to have a lot of escapee chickens when this is over. lol

and chicken welfare problems - things like red mite , and from some
Unfortunate birds ( only had in two rescued cages hens my self) people not knowing how to trim beaks. Loads of people feeding them inappropriately- Interestingly a problem with bird flu here was that small flocks ( sub fifty) don’t have to register as livestock. I was still registered during the bird flu outbreak but it was frustrating to hear much the same kind of ignoring of much less publicised rules - not getting to all people who had back yard birds. we really don’t learn well :(

 

[TruthSeeker]

Lol, that counts too! I have 8 roosters for you!

I don't pluck chickens....maybe if I was starving I'd hack at it.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Nine new chicks and 2 more almost hatched! Yay!

maybe if I was starving I'd hack at it.

That's the way I feel. I usually give away roosters, but this time I'm not. I'm keeping one and selling the rest.

 

[DharmaGirl]

There has been a panic buy of chickens here.

Same here in my neck of the woods. The feed store will give me older chicks they can't get rid of, but this year they're selling out the day they get them. I foresee a lot of free chickens when this is over. It's sad, and I know people don't know a lot of things about chickens. Like you have to check if they have food and water, are safe, and haven't got themselves in a mess.

and chicken welfare problems - things like red mite

You are so right! I just had a previous chicken customer call me to ask for a rooster! She knows what she's doing though so I'll give her one. Sadly, both our states are closed, and I don't ship birds. The neighbors are going to be mad with the crowing.

 

[Mee]

I don't pluck chickens....maybe if I was starving I'd hack at it.

I pluck . I use the whole bird apart from the head. It’s been a few years though . I really don’t want to breed again because I’m not sure I still have the stomach for it. :(. I was the ‘slaughterman’ at our house - the only person with the skill and grit.