chickens again?

I took an unexpected break when our internet usage went over our allowance.  oops . . .

Chickens were on my mind back in November.  It is now mid/late-December and my mind has turned to other thoughts.  But I really want to get my farm thoughts all down in one easy to find clump here on the blog.

So chickens . . .

We’ve had chickens almost constantly here on our little place.  We had to give ours away after the tornado because we didn’t have any place safe for them to stay.  We felt the construction process (on the house) might prove dangerous for them.  We were right.  Things flew all over the place, and I still find nails and screws on the ground.

By this Spring we believe we might be ready to try again.  However, as horrible as it sounds, I do not actually like chicks.  They need their bottoms wiped, they need warmth and attention constantly.  I work now, just part-time, but it does totally rearrange my days.  I no longer have hours and hours to devote to chick care.  And let’s be honest, chicks stink!

So I’m wondering if getting chicks again is right for us.

If we did get them here’s what we’re thinking:

• We need 2-3 doz eggs a week.
• That means we need 6 hens.
• Which means we need 28 bales of straw, plus sunflowers / quinoa / fava beans to feed the chickens.
• We need to build either a chicken tractor or a new chicken coop.

If we do get chickens we’re looking at the following breeds.  I’d really like to get a heritage breed, because then they can also be an “income crop.”

• cochins
• buff orpingtons
• light brahmas
• dark cornish
• buff rocks
• Blue laced silver wynadotte **
• Silver Gray Dorkings **
• ** our top 2 contenders if we do get this chickens**

We’re tabling the conversation for now.  We’ll see how things look in the Spring.  It may become a simple matter of having enough money or not having enough money.

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