tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post1048142052479077282..comments2023-09-29T18:37:14.377+10:00Comments on Eight Acres: Getting started with Chickens - a series of interviewsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-85485649751749898452013-07-31T20:38:20.064+10:002013-07-31T20:38:20.064+10:00I love keeping chickens. They are definitely one ...I love keeping chickens. They are definitely one of my favourite animal on the farm! Unfortunately our pigs ate most of our free ranging chicken flock ( until we realised what was getting all the hens) so now I'm down to two (from thirty). As soon as those pesky pigs get butchered ( which better be soon~ we are waiting anxiously for the butcher to call) I am intending to restock our hen house. This is the first winter in years I've had to buy eggs :(Renatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546331512433403550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-20900132363391098492013-07-27T19:44:38.815+10:002013-07-27T19:44:38.815+10:00Hello, someone told me if you hatch chickens in Ju...Hello, someone told me if you hatch chickens in July August you will have eggs right through winter due to the new chickens coming into lay. I did this last year and am inundated with eggs at the moment (15 is about normal). I've also got 4 hens sitting on eggs now and 2 ready to go.<br />MichelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-52424668202565620002013-06-08T06:00:33.356+10:002013-06-08T06:00:33.356+10:00I'll enjoy these posts. I love my chookies! An...I'll enjoy these posts. I love my chookies! And ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl....... If it wasn't for Hubby keeping an eye on me we'd be over run!!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10975556587020883049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-52261114591742731042013-06-06T16:29:26.150+10:002013-06-06T16:29:26.150+10:00I second the recommendation to avoid buying show s...I second the recommendation to avoid buying show stock. We purchased a show rooster and the breeder didn't say she only used him for AI (Artificial Insemination). So when we put him in with our girls, he didn't know how to mount them. He would peck at their heads aggressively, then do his "little dance" while standing next to them.<br /><br />He was beating up the hens pretty bad but when he turned on us, that's when he met his end. Poor thing spent his entire life in a show cage, so had no appreciation of hierarchy. He utterly confused our hens when he was meant to be leading the flock. Show stock are a whole other ball game, and breeders won't admit limitations of their breeding stock. Because for them it's not a limitation at all. Their set-up is geared to winning ribbons at shows, not giving chickens the opportunity to be a regular chicken. We only learned about the AI via an affiliate to the breeder. To get the full plumage that won shows, the chickens couldn't breed naturally - all those feathers got in the way. It was AI or no next generation of show toppers. Whole other ball game...<br /><br />When I read your recommendation, I was waiting to hear the same tale of woe - but you were lucky to get a rooster which knew how to mount a hen at least. Just not the same egg laying vigour, which is something you don't want to waste money on. People don't appreciate how expensive it can be to feed chickens over 12 months or more. A bag of chicken feed doesn't cost very much, but over time, does.<br /><br />I still think chickens make way better entertainment in the backyard than any other animal known to man though. They're worth trying out. A family of 3 which eats eggs regularly, only needs about 4 hens. When you're talking suburbia, that's not a bad size flock to keep without disturbing the neighbours or stinking up the yard too much.<br /><br />We live on acreage, and even we cut back our flock numbers. We can sell eggs but often it's not enough to make up for the time, cost and effort to keep them. It was a lot easier to keep a smaller flock even when you've got the land and Council bylaws on your side. Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-29293688498638124892013-06-06T04:14:28.919+10:002013-06-06T04:14:28.919+10:00awesome postawesome postLINDA'Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18322944728491268995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-23965485153922601442013-06-05T12:18:03.878+10:002013-06-05T12:18:03.878+10:00That would be laying. That would be laying. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-588240816437815732013-06-05T12:17:21.021+10:002013-06-05T12:17:21.021+10:00No, but a question. Im ready but on the other sid...No, but a question. Im ready but on the other side of the fence is a dog that barks constantly. I cant talk to the owner as I am as petrified of him as his wife and children seem to be - big bully with a filthy mouth. Will this affect the girls from lazy. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com