I am putting up a privacy fence in the back yard and have decided to get a couple of chickens. The city said that it would be okay. Any advice for a first time chicken farmer? This project will happen this spring by the way.

Lisa can probably give better advice than me. You need to keep the chicks warm under a heatlamp in a box of some sort until they are big enough to go to an outside coop. They do need access to protection from the elements when outside. Keep the water fresh everyday and keep the food clean too. There's different breeds, some are better for raising for meat, others are just nice to look at(I like the buff colored roosters the best). Be sure that no other animals can get in the yard to eat the birds or their food. I have a possum to catch right now because of the food issue.

If you're looking for pets, I'd recommend(SP) white or Mallard ducks.

Pets only according to the city anyway. Okay, so different breeds are better? I'll check into that. With ducks though wouldn't I need to keep the wings trimmed?

If pets, then go for looks. Lisa can name the breeds when she sees this. Yes you need to trim the wing feathers, it's easy to do. Our ducks are still here yet and they could fly away if they wanted. There's only 3 now. One must have gotten caught by something. We like to get bulk day old bread to feed them. Just make sure you don't mind them crapping on your porch while they are waiting for you to treat them. That's a petpeeve(pun intended )of ours. If you get ducks, if you keep handling them as they grow they will be used to that and won't mind hanging with you as adults.

Now we get to buy jim some overalls hehehehe LOL

Jims new store farm and barn

I don't know about that one. But TSC works for me.

Don't forget the straw hat and the length of straw to chew on.

Sorry I thought it was chickens you were raising not sheep.

I've been a baaaaaaa'd boy!

This is something you need to keep private between you and your sheep,its none of my business.

Is this what your looking for?

all this chicken talk has to have the Farmology Director involved.

Chickens and Roosters are the best, should be respected and cared for with patience and understanding

Hail all fowl

There's a farm down the road that has goats for sale if your interested. With goat milk you could make your own cheese.

I have thought about that also.

Jim stay a city boy.

A city boy that milks goats and makes cheese.

I think its more like make goat sounds & Cut the Cheese

why would he want to milk a goat?

Because they are easier to milk than chickens and cows are way too much work.

And you can feed a goat almost anything!!

Here's a nice one.

Careful with this one!

I would not turn my back on him!

Wouldn't want to milk him either

I would pay to see you milk him!!!

think about that one.

It would be something you don't see everyday!!

Sorry I don't milk anything anymore. Besides I'm busy adding to my banana seed collection.

So hows Farmer Jim doing?

Farmer Jim is doing fine thank you.

Tip any cows lately?

Nope. (I feel like being very vague today)

You are being cheap

This is not a post: No just vague.

That is a post darn you.

but it doesn't count. (neither does this one)

they all count

I know and you have a lot of catching up to do now! *he*he*

Jim, did Harold tell you that I raised goats as a kid also. Have some throphies from the county fair. They are alot of fun to raise. Funny to watch.

They were tasty too!

Mmmmmmmmmmm..........Summer sausage..........

Harold did you eat the tripe along with those sausage?

tripe yuck

I never had any. Is it that bad?

People eat it all the time . They use it in soup. Personally I don't like it. But then I don't like poop on a stick so what do I know. On the other hand I like goat on a stick.

I think I will stick with beef and pork!

I do not like corn dogs on a stick.

Don't think I've had tripe. I do like corn dogs with ketchup.

corn dogs and mustard

Don't worry Amy sometimes Harolds a heathen.

Hot dogs- celery salt, onion, cucumber,mustard onion relish. There is only one way to eat a hot dog. The chicago way

Ok now I'm hungry

You want a apple?

Oh I love apples with carmel dip. Got any carmel dip?

mmmmmm....... carmel dip.

Oh its good on things besides apples too.

Like bananas

Uh yeah 2dogs! That is exactly what she meant.

What? Its good on bananas.

I know. So does she.

Yep thats exactly what I meant

I wish I were a banana.

I don't know. I don't like carmel.

I do. Good stuff!

And sprinkles

My wife is diabetic so we don't keep much sweet in the house.

I don't like raw tomatoes but I am a ketchup freak. Go figure.

I like both. I do not like fried green tomatoes.

I helped my cousins on their potato digger and we used to eat potatos raw after wiping off the dirt. Couldn't get any fresher than that.

And not to bad for a light snack.

Hey, Jim! My local TSC has chicks in the store right now. I bet yours does too.

Your telling Jim to buy his chicks now????

Birds, chickens, ducks, fowl. Those kind of chicks.

Either kind I have to pay for now.....