In the Coup: My Poultry Keeping Overview

Our family made the decision was made to raise our backyard flock several years ago. Having both grown up with family farms, poultry came to our homestead right after the garden was set in place. Planning our flock, we had to know the purpose for the birds we would be raising and the costs involved. Every year we stop and take into consideration our previous experiences, the success and failure, and the cost and outcome. Understanding the past shapes how we choose the flock we maintain, as well as the plan for their care.

 Concerning Breed

   Egg production is always our primary purpose; meat is secondary. Knowing this, helps narrow down the many breeds available. Predators, output and experience keep our focus on 'heavy breeds' or 'dual purpose' breeds; Orphingtons and Austalorps, are my all time favorite breeds; dual purpose birds mean the hens are a laying flock while surplus roosters can fill the freezer.
   Since our children were members of 4H, the poultry project led us to raising seasonal meat flocks. Now that the children have grown, our freezer will be filled with seasonal flocks of Cornish cross instead.
   Our desire is to raise breeds that are close to natural lines or heritage lines, however, that can be a challenge and a bigger expense. When that is not reasonable due to expense or availability, we strive to stay as close as we can. Currently, we raise Buff Orphingtons, Black Australorps, Maurons, and Auracanas in our layer flock; Cornish cross are the meat flock breed.

Concerning Housing

   Our homestead came with a large shop building that has become our barn and workshop. Simple modifications turned a metal awning into stalls with an enclosed coop on the side. Here, our layer flock resides near the stalls where our herd sleep offering protection from elements and predators, while giving us easy access to feed bins housed between the stalls and the main building wall. Our hens run free during the day leading us to 'cage' our garden beds preventing destruction.
   The meat flock is housed on the opposite side of our shop/barn; kennels under an awning provide their pen and brooder space. Feed is housed near these kennels, as is open pasture. When meat flocks are not housed here, these kennels are kept clean but closed off.
   While our structures are permanent, we do have two large kennel housings that can be easily moved to maintain a quarantine set, new birds, or as transitional pens when babies are added to an existing group. Sometimes these kennels are set in garden areas that need worked by the birds when full access would be a bad idea (such as, the corn was done, but the neighboring green beans were not..pen is set over corn beds for hens to work).

Concerning Feed

   Research and experience; keys to my feed decisions. I read everything I can find on feed products and work my goals from there. My layer flock is fed a pellet/scratch/seed mixture..a supplement to their long days grazing and scratching the earth. Layers receive purchased feeds with seed and greens added in; they are not much on grazing, so grazing is often brought to them.
   All our feeds are purchased at a co-op in a neighboring county; buying in bulk helps with cost and quality. We plan monthly trips for all our homestead feed needs (our garden seeds are purchased in bulk here as well).

Concerning Health

   Herein lies a touchy subject; to medicate or not to medicate. My conviction has always been 'less is best'. Having experienced flock loss due to Merk's disease and coccidosis, I do vaccinate and treat for these two ailments. Other situations are handled as they arise. Our flock and coop are treated with diotenatious earth (DE) for parasites/mites and regular feedings of garlic/cayenne/flax along with leafy greens keeps them in good health; raw apple cider vinegar is rotated into water fountains for health and nutrients. I always try natural treatments before going to the modern pharma medications.



   Poultry flocks require time, effort, and determination and experience helps immensely. Along the way there has been success and failure; life and death; trial and triumph- homestead life is not always as romantic as we like to think. There are failures and losses to contend with. This year's floods have proven quite a challenge during chick and meat brood season!


    No matter the inconvenience or the set backs..I wouldn't trade my little peeps for anything..they are Miss K's favorite farm animal as she has just started her own pen of cucu maurons!

 

Preparing for the Storm

As a homestead farm, we live our lives tied to the weather. Any hint of inclement change tends to stir a fever in our souls to gather and prepare. Me, I am driven to prepare for the worst and hope for the best- with my animals and my crops it rings even more true. 

Living in a state where all four seasons can happen in any given day has taught me to be ready for anything. Today's humid heat can give way to tonight's hard freeze- keeping things healthy can be tricky. We have does ready to kid, baby chicks to keep warm and dry, as well as three gardens, the donkey, buck, barn cats and a dog. In an inclement situation we assess what the greatest need is and work from there. 

Adult birds should be fine in their coop as long as food and water will be available to them. If the day is a dark one, supplemental light will help. Baby chicks that are not fully feathered have to be kept dry. Since they are unable to maintain their heat, lamps, bedding, and shelter are vital. My preparedness tip- be ready with an indoor warming box, towels, and a low heat hair dryer in case of emergency. 

Goats are fairly hearty and adapt well- our bucks and mature does have shelter, feed, water and raised areas for resting off the ground (old pallets work well for this). Does that have been bred need a bit more mothering; they have a heat lamp available and are checked regularly if their kidding is near. Many a birthing season has been kick-started by a good storm! My preparedness tip- have the birthing kit ready, towels, warming box, and a fresh stall that is reserved only for the new mama and baby. 

The rest are content with simple shelters to get away from the rain. Doc often refuses shelter no matter what- I guess it's a donkey thing. Ben will shelter with the barn cats in the hay and feed area. As for the gardens, raised beds have helped quite a bit with flooding issues. I do keep frost cloth on hand as well as some simple hoop frames to drape it over. 

Last but not least, have a way to stay warm and dry yourself. I keep candles, lanterns and firewood along with plenty of blankets and towels. If the risk could mean long term outages I wash up clothes, dishes, and try to cook a few meals that will last and eat well cold if we need them. 

Here on my homestead, we have learned to be prepared for any animal to end up in the house, or under a lamp, or wrapped in a blanket- or even tucked in your overall pockets. 

For more information about storm preparedness, consider reading:

TexasHelp

Livestock Preparedness & Recovery

TX Extension Disaster Education Network

And...share your storm prep info!

Miss K's New Loves

They arrived on the homestead farm Saturday morning; creatures great and small welcomed them with nuzzles and noises. No welcome was so wondrous as the one that came Sunday afternoon as our littlest farm girl found a whole new set of loves. 

Little Miss K has been combing the pages of our favorite poultry catalog for weeks. Each time revealed the struggle within her to choose only a few (a feeling I know well). She practiced her poultry care techniques with little fluffy toy chicks in order to be fully prepared when the real ones arrived. This weekend as a set of chicks found their way to our brooder, Miss K joined the ranks of crazy chicken ladies everywhere! 

Genuine enthusiasm and joy beamed from her dimpled face as she made her way to the brooder. Soft whispers of love and adoration were given as she crouched down and carefully let them settle at her presence. Hand feeding, gentle cuddles, and just plain sitting and observing their antics was the only thing on her agenda that day. Quite an attention span for an almost two year old!

I grew up with baby chicks. My children grew up with baby chicks. Now our little Miss K will grow up learning the many wonders and amazing life lessons chicks can give. Welcome to the family, Miss K's new loves. The 'wittle beebee shickiez' have arrived!

New Arrivals!

     Today marks week one for our newest arrivals. Red Ranger chicks arrived just in time for my spring break-away! These sweet little peepers have been my all-day focus and regular source of entertainment.
      Upon arrival, our littles are introduced to the water fountain and given a little time to explore the brooder before feed is given. Due to crazy weather flux, we have them inside our shop building instead of the actual brood house (the brood house has several trees surrounding it and some have dropped large branches lately) Routine checks for water, warmth and food are round the clock activity.
       In year past, we raised the Cornish cross rocks required by our 4H/Fair program. This year we opted out of the fair system, choosing to raise a more traditional and less modified meat flock. While they are completely contained right now, the goal is to introduce soil/green to them as soon as they move to their brood house and raise them free range once they have feathers and are a suitable size.   Along with a more free range/open system, we are focusing more intently on natural practices as well keeping our eye on their forage, feed, and supplementing as naturally as possible.
       Now, off to check them one more time- it's a bit chilly tonight!

Herbs and Our Homestead Poultry

   No words can describe the feeling of picking up a box full of fluffy little chicks. Those puff balls with beady little eyes steal my heart year after year! The reality is, those little bundles of cuteness grow up to be hens and roosters with unique personalities all their own. In order to best love and care for our poultry flock, we adhere to natural practices as much as possible. Just as we nourish our own bodies as naturally as possible, we hold that same notion to our homestead flock.
    The study of herbalism has not only improved my family's health, but given us a fresh look at our animal's health as well. Keeping healthy practice is really quite simple: fresh air and sunshine, clean bedding and bowls, and keeping their nutrients/diet intake as natural as possible- and herbs fall right in line with this practice. Here on our homestead we have some longstanding favorite herbal poultry practices:   

Herbs for nutrition:
Raw Garlic—Have this available year long for your chickens.  You can also mash it in their drinking water for not only the nutritional benefits, but also the anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties to prevent and curtail infections.  Have raw garlic available for newly hatched chicks, so they will learn to eat it at an early age.
Nettle—Nettle is rich in calcium, protein, manganese, phosphorus and potassium.  A wonderful all around herb.
Alfalfa—Medicago sativa—Rich in protein, amino acids, minerals and chlorophyll.  Make a tea from dried alfalfa to keep hens healthy for breeding and producing eggs.
Lamb’s Quarters—Chenopodium album—Rich in protein, calcium, vitamins A and C, B-complex and iron.  An all around herb for the digestive system.
Dandelion—Taraxacum officinale—Rich in protein, vitamins A,C,K,D, B-complex, iron, manganese, phosphorus and trace minerals.  Dandelion is a complete food for building the immune system.  Give dandelions freely to your young chicks and hens.  You can even make a tea and offer that free choice as well.
Organic apple cider vinegar—Mix with their water for a superb digestive tonic.
Herbs for the nest: 
Birds in the wild use medicinal herbs to line their nests.  The aromatic volatile oils have anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties.  You can imitate this natural process by applying a few handfuls of the fresh herbs to the nest before a hen goes broody.  Adding the herbs periodically during the spring and summer can help keep parasites at bay.
Peppermint, spearmint, catnip, oregano, wild bergamot, lavender, rosemary, sage, basil, thyme and fennel are aromatic herbs that freshen the nesting box.
Want your hen to be relaxed and calm?  Lavender and peppermint will relieve her stress while brooding.
   

    Most of the herbs used for our poultry are grown right here on our property, dried seasonally, and used year round. Hens love fresh or dried bundles of herbs hanging in their home to nibble and freshen the air. Herbs are also a great supplement to their feed rations and fresh greens keeping our flock well fed and real healthy.

Processing Poultry Tips

   Processing time came and went here on the little farm. Spring butchering filled our freezer with healthy food plentiful enough to feed our family and share with others. Over the many years we have honed a setup and work through plan that has served us well making large batch processing efficient and timely. For example, I 'fast' my flock the night before butchering to prevent busted crops and messy processing. Here are some processing tips we keep handy.

 

   1. Stations everyone! Whether I process alone, or have helping hands with me, stations are the best way to get the deeds done quickly and cleanly. 'Killing Cone' is station one: knives, cones, and lined buckets are ready, waiting, and stay at this station until clean up. 'Break Down' is station two:  cutting boards, knives, bowls of salted ice water, large lined trash cans are on hand for the main processing station. 'Cool Down' is station three: positioned near the sink are sealing bags, markers, and towels to rinse, dry, bag and label. There are also several large ice chests filled with ice for quickly cooling processed birds once they are washed. The final stop is the freezer..but only once the birds are cooled down.

   2. Loose the skin. One of the nastiest parts of butchering poultry is plucking; dipped in boiling water and stripped of every feather these birds leave a fragrant memory you never forget! I skip this all together skinning my birds before processing.

 

    3. Get to Pieces. Smaller broilers are selected to be processed whole for roasting and making broths, but the majority of my birds are harvested as 'breast and leg'. Leg and thigh are removed as one piece, breast and tenderloin are removed in one piece. This makes storage space stretch farther and helps the meat cool faster further preventing spoilage or loss.

    4. Party! Have a processing party. Grill some meat, bake some treats and invite green horns to come learn the fine art of processing. The more the merrier. Family, friends, local college kids can often be bribed with food..or the promise we often make..you clean it you keep it.

    5. Relax. Plan ahead, play some music, and make the event work for you. My farm boy and I can process 50 birds in a few hours. We set the date, setup the stations, set the radio and get it done in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. It helps when the weather is nice (like today..it was awesome!).

    If you have never had the privilege of processing your own poultry or if you are considering it, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and give it a go. Start small, maybe a few birds, and work to a goal that meets your family's needs. Sitting at the table tonight, we shared in good food and the satisfaction of hard work and the provision it brings, the security of a well stocked freezer, and the joy of fellowship shared over the task.

   Are you a home processing family? Share your experiences and tips with us..we love to hear from you!
  

Care for the Cull

   As fair time draws near, poultry project pens go through the cull. Several emails have crossed my inbox asking for information regarding the cull pen. Fair standards and country recommendations are all geared toward the care of show pens, leaving students to wonder where to go from here.

    Some families send or sell their cull birds, not wanting to further invest in their care and maintenance. On my homestead every animal counts; these birds are destined to grace my table, so they still hold a high priority in my pen. Whether broilers or turkeys, my cull pens are given shelter from the elements in the form of a covered coop. The only difference in their pen is the lack of lamps. Cull pen birds are exposed to natural light cycles and are allowed to roam an enclosed pasture during the afternoon. Their feed remains the same, but with exposure to the out doors, they will eat a bit less.

    Cull birds are processed as they reach desirable size..often right before or right after the fair. There in, coops and supplies are cleaned and stored for next season.
    When it comes to care of your cull pen, it really comes down to personal conviction. For me, the cull is extremely important since they supply a majority of the meat my family will eat through the year. As you separate your birds, consider the cost, time, and space you have available to work with and build your program from there. If raising the cull pen for meat isn't on your agenda there are always people willing to take them off you hands.
     If you raise broilers/turkeys for your local county fair what do you do with the cull pen? Share your experiences with us.

    

A Little Poultry Q&A

   No matter where you go, once people realize you have poultry questions come to mind they just have to have answered. Today, let's stroll over to the pen with a glass of mint iced tea for a little chat over the chicks. From flock care, to pasture practices and even how on earth to take care of the unpleasantness..here are a few I get most often.

1. How do you deal with slime in the water fountain?
    Slime happens.. a lot. Three simple things: vinegar, a toilet brush, and location. Daily we take a splash of vinegar and swish it around the fountain with a toilet brush. Once the fountain is refilled we aim to keep it away from the brooder lights in order to slow the growth as much as possible.

2. What is cage free, range, and pasture?
     Okay, cage free is a bird not living in cramped cage conditions. This does not actually define how the bird lived and ate. Range means free range; the birds were given space to walk around possibly with sunshine and maybe grass. Often range birds diets are primarily grains but supplemental greens may be added. Pasture raised birds have housing, but are out in the sunshine nibbling on their findings in the green pasture. Grains are minimal in their diet.

3. What about the smell?
     It's no secret; chicken poop smells. Keep them clean with a hearty layer of bedding (we use pine shavings or shredded pine straw)..deep and stirred daily. The other question that goes with this is what to do with the poop. Easy answer: compost.

4. How can you kill them?
     Frame of mind. Once you have an understanding of the purpose of the animal and the peace of mind they were raised well the task is much easier. I believe in a healthy live and a clean death. The other question that goes with this..what to do with the 'leftovers'. If you pluck, compost the feathers..other parts are burned. We don't bury unless a hearty dose of lime is added and I'd rather not..so burn it is.

5. How do you store 100 chickens once their processed?
    I don't. Some of my birds go to family and friends. The other reality is I don't process them all as whole chickens. Part of my flock is put up as 'legs-n-thighs'; makes the processing faster and takes up less space.

6. Do you mix your flocks?
    No. Turkeys are raised and processed before my broilers come in and the laying hens are shut off the broiler pasture until the broilers are gone. Every pasture gets a rest and reseed before the next flock gains access.

    Hopefully this helps some of you still considering or working through the beginnings of meat bird raising. If you have questions or would like to share your experiences, please feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email at simplyscaife@yahoo.com. Time for me to go talk to the chicks!

Managing Meat Birds: Day 21

   This week our poultry meat pen hits the 21 day mark and the awkward phase. Fluffy little babies have morphed into half naked waddlers. As their fluffy down fades, their growth rate kicks into full gear causing them to easily overheat. In the crazy Texas temperatures, this can be a problem. Thus, the brooder frame is removed to allow the growing birds plenty of open space. Raising the side covers of the brood house creates airflow and circulation, especially during the peak heat of the day. As the month continues circulation fans will help cool them even further.

 

   Another 21 day task is culling. Birds that are plump and hearty are kept in small pen groups for the county show..they get priority at feed, water, and care. Due to schedule conflicts, none of our poultry are going to show this year, so our pens are simply divided for comfort and space. With their metabolism spurring a high growth rate, wet feed supplements their standard pellets. My wet feed consists of mixed grains (millet, oat, sunflower, flax and barley) lightly coated with fat (tallow from goat processing with a little goat buttermilk). This is given in small quantities once a day and gradually increased over the next few weeks.

   The pleasure of afternoon sun bathing is greatly enjoyed by the little ones as is their regular rolls in the dust bowl. A small pan of DE in the corner of their pen offers a great dewormer and bug control factor. To the disdain of some fellow poultry meat growers, my little flock gets daily walks in the pasture while their water, feed, and bedding are given a good cleaning.
   Though some losses have occurred, our drop rate is much lower than some years have seen and our system has become familiar and flowing. The stress and work of these weeks will be greatly rewarded as the freezer fills and the aroma of roasted chicken fills the farm kitchen. Nothing tastes better than food you grow yourself!

              

Brooder Maintenance Day 6

Welcome little ones!

    Our broiler chicks arrived last week during one tremendous storm. Their quizzical glances and dainty peeps have kept me balanced this past weekend as I faced the daunting task of seeing my oldest get married. Today found us at day six of their journey on the homestead..let's take a peep at what they have been up to since their arrival.

Old sheets were placed over the shavings right after this picture.

     Upon arrival their little beaks were dipped in the water fountain before we released them into the brooder to explore and warm up. Once everyone became acquainted with the fountain and its location a light scattering of starter crumble was placed in disposable pie tins for them to eat. Satisfied with their warmth and behaviors, we checked on them regularly to refresh their nourishment and upkeep their mess making.
      *Note..many recommendations are made to give chicks electrolytes upon their arrival. I do not. If the chicks are 'pasty butt' or just puny, I add a spoonful of apple cider vinegar to their water fountain for a day to perk them up.

Setting up for wing band maintenance.

      As we head to the end of their first week, the little ones are thriving and growing well. Daily cleaning has become quite a task causing us to realize it's time to remove the cloth bedding cover. Feeders and water fountains are removed and the heat lamp is raised up giving me plenty of room to work unhindered. To streamline my tasks, I spread and turn wing bands as well as clip their nails the same day the cloth is removed. In order to bring chaos to calm, I pull the bedding cloth up dividing the brooder in half and secure it with clamps.

Help! I am all alone.

     One by one the chicks are picked up, band turned and spread, to nails checks and clipped if need be, then placed on the clean shavings. This way I know which ones are finished and which ones need my attention. This is also a great time to check for pasty butt or other ailments and treat them.

One on one work.

     The point of wing band maintenance is to spread any crimped bands allowing for wing growth. Personally, I also prefer to turn the bands making it easy to read the numbers. This chick's band is pointing toward his breast, numbers facing me... as he grows the numbers can be seen without stretching out his wings.

      Maintenance and grooming all complete the little peeps are exploring their new arrangement. Fluffy, large flake pine shavings have replaced their smooth sheets and fountain feeders now replace the pie tins. Some fresh water and a warm light..they are good to go. On the topic of shavings, let me say I do not use cedar shavings for two reasons: 1. One of us is allergic to cedar. 2. Some studies indicate respiratory issues with chicks raised on cedar. Another personal preference is the size: I use large flake because they seem less likely to eat them and choke.
      There we are..refreshed and prettied up. My treks to the brooder are fewer, but still very frequent. With only their down fluff to cover them, staying warm is still a necessity. If I were to be honest I would have to say, necessity or not, I would hike out their to see my teeny tiny babies anyway. Have a beautiful and blessed day, and remember whatever it is you are growing enjoy it, love it, and thank God for the privilege of doing it!

Turkey Time...New Arrivals!

 

   It's true. Despite several of us being down with a bug last week, turkeys arrived anyway giving up a much needed push to get back on our feet. Crazy how a box full of gawky little peepers can completely brighten my day.

  Turkeys are not timid by any means, however, these are not violent. They do peck at your boots and the buttons on my jacket...I find them to be rather curious when something different is near their pen. We stir the bedding when we enter the pens - aerating the shavings and encouraging movement of the birds (idle birds are not healthy, growing birds).

   Round the clock stir and checks are on the chore list. Food and water are gone through rather quickly and must be filled often- if they run out they tend to gorge themselves and develop droopy crop conditions which can be fatal - never a good thing.
   Every noise is curious to them. I get a kick our of making a coo or cluck sound at them; the whole flock stops, becomes rather attentive with outstretched necks, and fluffs out their feathers (not in strut, just fluffing out). They will start to coo back and attempt to warble those funny first warble noises.
   I must say, they are a lot of work, but no more than any baby on the farm, and they are fun. Personally, I enjoy their antics and noises, their curious nature and silly, gawky faces. Though we take shifts with the birds upkeep, Farm boy loves them the most. His commitment to their well being is a sign of a good man!

Fun Finds: The Coop

   This week the poultry pen has been front and center in our lives; new hatch-lings tend to do that to you. With my peeps growing and mess making every day, it seemed only fitting to focus our Friday Fun Finds on the coop.

 

I personally do not have need for winterizing the coop; south Texas winters are seriously mild. For all those living above us, Fresh Eggs Daily offers this excellent post chock full of information for winterizing your flock's favorite places...they also share the link to their very own feed mix.

 

For us frugal minded flock keepers, The Modern Homestead offers their plans for a pasture shelter made from items that might already be on you property. Here is a link to the plans, material list, and thoughts to consider before building.

 

As a home schooling homesteader, I loved teaching my children every aspect of flock care. Urban Farm Online offers this helpful poster as a tool for teaching poultry anatomy. I love the gingham background and the beautiful colors used.

 

Raising babies is a large part of coop life, and how to give them pasture time has always been a quandary for me. Over at Pam's Backyard Chickens I found this cute little peep playpen..just right for a little sunshine and greens, don't you think?

 

Morning walks to the brooder can end in devastation when a little one has fallen into the water and drown.  This week a Pinterest  board showed placing marbles in the water to help those little peeps stay safe. Such a simple solution..who would have thought?

   This week has been a wonderful blessing spending a few minutes here and there checking on the noisy little bundles of energy. Before long they will no longer need the constant attention and care; that doesn't mean I won't be out there anyway. Speaking of which..time for a walk out there right now. Have a blessed weekend.

A Closer Look at Our Poultry Plan

  We made the decision was made to raise our backyard flock several years ago. Having both grown up with family farms, poultry came to our homestead right after the garden was set in place. Planning our flock, we had to know the purpose for the birds we would be raising. Over the years a few considerations have crossed our experience. These considerations have shaped the flocks we now maintain today and plan to continue with in years to come.

 Concerning Breed

   Egg production was our primary purpose; meat was secondary. Knowing this, led us to realize many breeds are considered 'heavy breeds' or 'dual purpose' breeds; Orphingtons and Austalorps, for example. Raising dual purpose birds meant the hens grew to be a laying flock while roosters would fill the freezer.
   Since our children were members of 4H, the poultry project led us to raising seasonal meat flocks. This filled the freezer without taking up a large amount of space and without causing us to purchase layers as often.
   Our desire is to raise breeds that are natural lines or heritage lines. When that is not reasonable due to expense or availability, we strive to stay as close to that as possible. Currently, we raise Buff Orphingtons, Black Australorps, and Auracanas in our layer flock; Cornish cross are the meat flock breed.

Concerning Housing

   Our homestead came with a large shop building that has become our barn and workshop. Simple modifications turned a metal awning into stalls with an enclosed coop on the side. Here, our layer flock resides near the stalls where our herd sleep. This offers protection from elements and predators, while giving us easy access to food that is housed between the stalls and the main building wall. Our hens run free during the day with restricted access to garden areas; they can only enter there when the crops are done.
   The meat flock is housed on the opposite side of our shop/barn; kennels under an awning provide their pen and brooder space. Feed is housed near these kennels, as is open pasture. When meat flocks are not housed here, these kennels are kept clean for use during kidding season.
   While our structures are permanent, we do have two large kennel housings that can be easily moved to maintain a quarantine set, new birds, or as transitional pens when babies are added to an existing group. Sometimes these kennels are set in garden areas that need worked by the birds when full access would be a bad idea (such as, the corn was done, but the neighboring green beans were not..pen is set over corn beds for hens to work).

Concerning Feed

   Research and word of mouth; keys to feed decisions. I read everything I can find on feed products and work my goals from there. My layer flock is fed a pellet/scratch/seed mixture..a supplement to their long days grazing and scratching the earth. Layers receive purchased feeds with seed and greens added in; they are not much on grazing, so grazing is brought to them.
   All our feeds are purchased at a co-op in a neighboring county; buying in bulk helps with cost and quality. We plan monthly trips for all our homestead feed needs (our garden seeds are purchased in bulk here as well).

Concerning Health

   Herein lies a touchy subject; to medicate or not to medicate..a sticky situation. My conviction has always been 'less is best'. Having experienced flock loss due to Merk's disease and coccidosis, I do vaccinate and treat for these two ailments. Other situations are handled as they arise. Our flock and coop are treated with diotenatious earth (DE) for parasites/mites and regular feedings of garlic/cayenne/flax along with leafy greens keeps them in good health. I always try natural treatments before going to the vet recommended medications.

   Poultry flocks require time, effort, and determination and experience helps immensely. Along the way there has been success and failure; life and death; trial and triumph- homestead life is not always as romantic as we like to think. No matter the inconvenience or the set backs..I wouldn't trade my little peeps for anything..they are excellent medicine!

 

New Arrivals and Simple Poultry Care

   Recent predator activity caused a need to replenish the layer flock, after all, seven hens do not lay very many eggs. New arrivals are now housed snugly in the brooder with plenty of bedding, food and fresh water...but that didn't come without plenty of before-hand preparation. 

   When new chicks come to our farm, I like to be well prepared. The brooder is swept clean and all feed/water implements are given a hearty scrubbing. Ideally the brooder is ready a few days before they arrive. Due to erratic weather fluctuations and the low egg count, we decided to order our chicks instead of home incubating them.
   Our brooder is a five foot stock tank linked with plastic sheeting covered with pine shavings. For the first few days I lay an old sheet or piece of fabric over the shavings to prevent the chicks from eating the shavings and choking on it. Two standard heat lamps are suspended over the tank by a one by six keeping the temperature a comfortable ninety-five degrees. One-gallon fountain water tanks are filled with fresh water and small trays hold starter crumble purchased from our local feed co-op.
   Since problems can arise (a week chick, illness, a sluggish late hatch baby) an isolation brooder is kept nearby. A large plastic storage tub is set up with a heat lamp clipped to the side, a small quart-size water fountain and small feed pan; ready and waiting just in case.
   Upon arrival we take each chick individually and dip their beak in the water; insuring each one drink on their own. Generally they find the feed rather quickly, however, if they do not, we dip their beak into the feed as well. We stay nearby a bit to ensure each one seems active and healthy, removing any that appear sluggish or unable to eat and drink. Weaker ones are set in the isolation brooder for special care.
   Those first few days we monitor our chicks very closely since it is challenging to keep the temperature comfortable. Lamps are raised or lowered according to need; cloth coverings are added to the brooder top if we have a cold snap. Empty or not, water fountains are cleaned and refreshed four times a day and feed is available at all times.Yes, babies that come here are well tended and quite spoiled.

   Two to three days in we remove the fabric cover from the shavings and start using fountain-style feeders instead of the open trays; keeping the feed more available and less messy. At this point we base the temperature more on chick behavior rather than thermometer readings. If the chicks are scattered away from the light and laying flat they are too warm; if huddled and under the lights they are too cold. Simply adjusting the height of the lights (or removing/adding one) the problem is solved. Comfortable chicks are active and noisy.
   The chicks stay comfortably in the brooder until they feather out and seem crowded. When this time comes they are not yet ready for the big coop or the great out doors, instead, they make their way to the transition pen. Covered and safe, the transition pen is larger, fully enclosed with exposure to daylight, and pasture ground. In the transition pen, the chicks get a glimpse of the other farm animals; a chance to safely get use to each other.
   Our little peeps are only a few days old and already a source of great laughter and joy...my regular trips to the pen are a precious highlight to my day. I love their intricate colorings and the way they stare at me with such and inquisitive manner..they are already learning my little clicking noises mean 'treats'.
   By the way, I believe it is time to head out there right now..surely one of them needs a little snuggle, don't you think?

Setting Up to Fill the Freezer

   At least twice a year we set up the tables, coolers, and tubs for a day of 'filling the freezer'..also known as butchering day. With several years of butchering experience behind us, we have a layout plan that works pretty smoothly for us.
   First of all, it takes prepping. Our freezers are cleaned out and thinned down to make room for the fresh meat. Since freezers function best when full, we freeze jugs, bottles and bags of ice to maintain the freezer temp and get ice on hand for the processing line up.

   The night before, tables are set up and covered with paper. Trash bins are double lined and tucked under those tables while the butcher aprons are pulled from the drawers. Knives are sharpened and set to go while each table gets are tub of water for 'quick rinse' needs (hands, knives, etc.). Killing cones are hung on the back of our farm trailer with double lined tubs beneath and the fire pit is piled with dry wood - ready to start as soon as butchering begins.

   That morning a tub is filled with salted water (taste of the ocean salty) and ice. Meat will immediately go into this ice water bath to cool the temp and draw out the blood. This tub will be refreshed every few birds (or if doing large meat such as deer or goat, it is cleaned after every quarter). 

   A table near the ice tub holds bags and pens for labeling before meat is moved to the ice chest.

   Bags of ice go into chests near the package table. The rinsed and packaged meat will be chilled here before it goes into the freezer. This prevents the freezer temp from plummeting and the meat not cooling quickly.

   Once meat is well chilled, the bags are layered in the freezer: layer of ice, layer of meat, layer of ice, etc. In the end, the freezer holds the harvest of hard work and the promise of great meals to come. With a stations all set and a family member at each station, filling the freezer flows like a well oiled machine.

   When your homestead fills the freezer, what method or set up do you use?