Yesterday I ran some errands and stopped by our local Orshclen’s (farm supply store) and immediately upon walking in the door, I hear the peeping. Yep, the first round of baby chicks have arrived! Every spring, they get in baby chickens and bunnies (I think even some ducks!). My children love this time of year as they can go in and pet/hold these tiny creatures. I live in a rural farming community, so most folks would think of these critters as livestock. This would be our foray into quasi-homesteading.
We have been talking about getting started in chicken farming since last year. Supposedly chickens are easy to raise and care for. Since I’ve never had live chickens, it’s a bit intimidating and overwhelming to me when you consider we need a coop, heat lamps, what do they eat?, etc… Thankfully yesterday another couple walked up to look at the chicks and they already had chickens – so being my ‘shy’ self (NOT!) I asked them some questions and they were very helpful and kind. (thanks stranger couple for your helpful advice!)
Click to Order: $11
I came home and mentioned to Mark about the chickens and to begin chicken farming. He still seemed to like the idea of us getting chickens – so stay tuned as we work out what type of coop we will have (more for nightime safety), how to best go about allowing them to be free range chickens, yet still keep them safe from predators, and which breed(s) to get – and how many! Who knew chicken raising had so much to think about and consider. The children are certainly excited.
Internet & A/C update and Farming
Internet: Well, I did call on Monday and the repairman came and fixed my internet problem. It was, in part, due to the heat and how they had it all hooked up. Whatever – it’s now working.
A/C: we’re on the schedule, and it will be about four weeks until they can come. Thankfully, the past couple of days, we’ve had a break in the extreme heat. As of this moment, my weatherbug tells me it’s only 66 degrees outside. Not bad at all for end of July in Missouri. It’s humid – but cooler and it’s been find inside the house. I think we’re eeking out a bit of cool yet from the a/c system, but it wasn’t functioning well enough to overcome that extreme heat earlier this week; but seems to do fine when it’s cooler outside and it doesn’t have to work so hard.
Farming: yes, Mark and I plan to officially start a mini-farm; right here where we live.
We have 3 acres, with two of those being wooded. So we plan to start with a large garden and also chickens (for eggs and meat) and then possibly next year, add goats; most likely Nigerian Dwarfs (for milking). We have to get garden boxes built and some fencing up to keep out deer, etc…, get a chicken coop, and then put in fencing and build a barn/shelter built before we can get goats. The garden and chickens will be the easiest (and least expensive) for us to get going. The goats will require more work before they arrive, even though goats themselves aren’t really expensive to obtain.
Why farming? (I’m sure you were asking.
) Unless you live in a cave, I’m sure you realize how bad the economy is; and even though Mark still has a job, that may or may not be the case in the future. So we’ve decided that regardless of his job situation, being able to provide some of our own food would help our budget and regardless of what the economy does, or what his job situation, we wouldn’t starve. Because of the layout of our land, we are limited as to the type of farming we could do. We have an area that would be good for a decent sized garden, and we can do goats and chickens very well here. We could also do rabbits in hutches, I suppose too; but for now – chickens, goats and a veggie garden is what we’re planning. We also want to put in grapes and some fruits trees too possibly. We shall see.
I can hardly wait to get all this going: I’m looking forward to fresh goat’s milk for my soapmaking!!! And just imagine the endless homeschooling lessons to be had with a farm!