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Post by osprey on Mar 13, 2009 9:43:47 GMT -5
Anbody fool with chickens? I haven't had any since I was a kid, but working on a small coop and run now, plan on ordering some chicks soon. Want to have a small flock for fresh brown eggs. ;D Looking at an old heritage breed, Dominiques, a black and white barred bird. Supposed to be good free range chickens, might let them out to bug around the yard when they get used to the place. Bet I'll need to keep the .22 handy for foxes and coons now!
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Post by busco on Mar 13, 2009 15:51:19 GMT -5
Ive had some the last couple years until last winter.. gonna get some more. What you doing for a coop? I need to build a new one looking for ideas
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Post by davep on Mar 13, 2009 18:23:42 GMT -5
Right now, we've got RI reds, but have had Buff Orpingtons, Leghorns,Sussex, Barred rocks, etc over the years,
I like RI Reds the best, but grew up with "Dominikers" as the old folks called them.
Probably just barred rocks, but old habits die hard.
Used to start 25 or 50 Cornish X Rocks every year and grow them out, but chicken is cheap.
Got tired of pickin', so started skinning.
Now we just breast them out, then pop leg /thigh thru.
Takes about 2 minutes a bird, tops.
Killed off about 25 generic chickens (all SORTS of breeds: they were FREE, leftover from a school's incubation project)) awhile back, and now back to the reds.
Got some hogs just about ready for the freezer as well. ;D
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Post by osprey on Mar 14, 2009 10:43:41 GMT -5
Busco, I'm building a 4x8' raised coop on treated 4x4" pilings, got to get it off the gound in case of tides. Putting an 8x16' fenced run with it, but once the birds get used to things I'm going to try letting them out to free range, hope I can keep the preds off them. DaveP, I coulda guessed you had a thing for hogs!  |
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Post by THE DEER HUNTER on Mar 14, 2009 10:49:23 GMT -5
Probably a good idea - I'm sure the chickens wouldn't like being stuck in a cage with a rising tide!!
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Post by davep on Mar 14, 2009 11:24:01 GMT -5
DaveP, I coulda guessed you had a thing for hogs! Do I ever! Sausage,chops,hams,bacon,ribs,pork loin - all that from one magical animal! Plus they're tilling up and fertilizing my garden WHILE turning themselves into untold meals. And I guess having a thing for hogs is better than having a thing for FOXES! ;D And at least I'm eating the hogs! (Fox sausage???  On second thought, what ever y'all do in Cambridge ought to STAY in Cambridge!) Now back to my favorite critter;BEAVER! Well, I like catching them: the carrying,skinning, and fleshing ALMOST takes all the fun out of it. And they don't eat too bad either!  Oh, yeah, back to the original post. Might want to think about some bantams. A lot of times they seem to do better as far as fending for themselves. And the eggs ain't THAT much smaller. Also, little banty roosters are entertaining! |
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Post by THE DEER HUNTER on Mar 14, 2009 11:29:23 GMT -5
;D
EXCELLENT POST!! I especially got a kick out of the fox and beaver discussion. ;D
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Post by osprey on Mar 16, 2009 8:23:54 GMT -5
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Post by BIG FOX on Mar 16, 2009 9:47:21 GMT -5
well at least i am always fresh in everyone s mind i guess..
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Post by davep on Mar 16, 2009 11:09:48 GMT -5
Don't forget: You have to register your flock in MD
Big brother is watching.....
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Post by osprey on Mar 16, 2009 13:50:48 GMT -5
No chickens here. No guns either...
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On second thought, what ever y'all do in Cambridge ought to STAY in Cambridge!) 
