TOO Homesteading

[jagermeister]

Nice! Sounds like you had everything planned out well. How long between butchering this bunch and starting the next batch?

Well, I guess that’s going to depend on how quickly we eat these. I’m guessing we’ll eat one every 2-3 weeks… maybe more. But regardless, I won’t do another batch at least until the spring or early summer. I will likely build a chicken tractor to put out back in the yard, instead of keeping them in the barn. So I’ll want some warmer weather for that approach.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I was wondering about the bags. Gonna do that next year for sure.

 

[jagermeister]

I was wondering about the bags. Gonna do that next year for sure.

They are relatively cheap and come in a pack of 50. Well worth it IMO. Even though I haven’t done it any other way, compared to packaging other wild game and fowl, you can beat the speed and quality of these bags.

 

[Hedgelj]

Saw an 18 pack of Kroger brand eggs for $5.09 this week....I'm buying more layers this spring and my daughter wants to do meat burds and meat rabbits for the county fair.

 

[giles]

Yup. Time to get with neighbors and spread the wealth. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Spread it out between your circle.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I intend to revamp my laying situation over the summer to allow for more birds comfortably. Paid $6 for whole milk yesterday. #FJB

 

[bowhunter1023]

Was time to rebuild the flock. We have 4 barred rocks, 2 French coppers and 1 golden lace right now, but they're almost 2 years old. Once the new birds start laying, the old birds will get made into soup. I really enjoy raising chicks and love having layers on the farm. I highly recommend Cackle Hatchery out of Missouri if you're looking to order chicks.

 

[giles]

I think she put in an order this week too. Starting to not be stupit at these prices.

 

["J"]

Heard something the other day that I never realized before. Average food consumption for each chicken too lay a dozen eggs is 4lbs.
@bowhunter1023 Jesse have you seen or verify this?

 

[bowhunter1023]

I think she put in an order this week too. Starting to not be stupit at these prices.

My chickens are eating hay and table scraps. A bag of feed lasted 6 weeks. My eggs are cheap now and I can barter with them.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Heard something the other day that I never realized before. Average food consumption for each chicken too lay a dozen eggs is 4lbs.
@bowhunter1023 Jesse have you seen or verify this?

Never heard it, but that's not too hard to believe. They'll eat nonstop of they have access to food and if the pickings get slim, they'll slow down.

 

["J"]

Never heard it, but that's not too hard to believe. They'll eat nonstop of they have access to food and if the pickings get slim, they'll slow down.

We’re seeing $3.50-$4 down here from local growers.

 

[giles]

My chickens are eating hay and table scraps. A bag of feed lasted 6 weeks. My eggs are cheap now and I can barter with them.

That is sorts how we were feeding them. Then we went with the barter, now everyone is wanting to save money and buying farm eggs. Messing with the program we had. So back to the crazy chicken lady

 

[5Cent]

I took the easy route and jumped on this deal to start our flock. Went with 6 of the Plymouth Barred Rocks and 4 Rhode Island Reds. They are just south of Mansfield.

 

[Hedgelj]

 

[Hedgelj]

I took the easy route and jumped on this deal to start our flock. Went with 6 of the Plymouth Barred Rocks and 4 Rhode Island Reds. They are just south of Mansfield.
View attachment 170931

Just south of mansfield? tell me more when you'll be in my backyard?

I got started pullets last year and am adding more in a few weeks (they've been on order for a bit).

Mine free range, don't eat much vegetable scraps and we go through 50lbs of feed in about 5-6 weeks. So about 2lb per week per bird.

 

[Sgt Fury]

 

[bowhunter1023]

Thought I'd add this here since it has more applications than just jerky, but that's primarily what we'll do with it unless my prepping gets out of control (again). I can now do 4xs as much in one run and do it in half the time as the old dehydrator and gun. Much easier to clean both as well, so this was money/gift cards well spent! Looks like it'll take about 1# per tray with 10 trays, so we'll do a full load next time.

I also bought released bags and silica packs. We like ours a little on the chewy side of done, which means a bit more moisture content. I had about a 1/2# left in my last batch and I noticed it was molding after about 7 days. Figured this should help prolong things in the event we don't eat it all the same day it's opened. Vac it, freeze it, move on!

 

[the Lackster]

Added these beautiful ladies to our herd this week. Mom is a Holstein x jersey x brown Swiss and her heifer calf was sired by a Brahman bull. The smaller one I picked up from a local dairy, she is a jerseyxholstein. Mom picked her up as soon as I brought her in. I set her down and she plugged right in to mom. My little girl is learning the process and she is in love. Looking to add atleast one more milker just for production and let this one do her thing with calves. Also my wife has dang near perfected the homeade bread stuff. Had some deer burgers on it last night and the cinnamon loaves she made were amazing!

 

[5Cent]

Heck ya!