ThisOldFarm's Profile

We live on a 50-acre farm and are currently raising 150 chickens. There are 100 being raised for meat, and 50 laying hens; a mixture of Araucana (blue/green eggs), Rhode Island Reds and Black Sex Link (brown eggs) and Leghorns (white). Fully organic and free-range. :)

We do have plenty of predators (coyote, fox, raccoon) but over the past two years have lost 3 chickens to stray dogs.

As rosejj pointed out, if the coop isn't cleaned out weekly, or at the very least some fresh hay isn't laid down, in the summer the smell can be overwhelming. But so can a cat's litterbox -- and people keep them in their homes.

All in all, it is such a joy to keep chickens. The eggs are better than any I have ever had and the hens are as sweet as can be.

Surprises? A few:

1. Fresh eggs are not very good for baking. They need to be at least a week old it seems to make a good cake, etc.

2. If raising day-old chicks, you will lose about 2-3% of the flock. Even if you are following directions to a "T", some of them just don't seem to have the strength.

3. Start telling people you are raising fresh eggs and you have just made new friends -- hungry ones!

Baking Soda
Vinegar
Hydrogen Peroxide
Salt
Lemons
Dr. Bronner's soap

They work wonderfully and I *know* that they are green.

I just can't say I trust the brand names to be . Especially Clorox.

Make no-sew market bags from old t-shirts! Great alternative to plastic at the grocery store or farmers market.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6yDxK68OZc

As a compromise, paint the upper cabinets a warm cream (similar to the tile backsplash), add stainless appliances to match your vent/hood and add a new sink faucet and door hardware.

Oh, the light fixture and the ivy have to go.