A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being interviewed again by Farmer Liz over at Eight Acres.
This time the interview was about how I got started with my backyard flock and any advice I had for the good readers of her blog.
Here is a little extract of the interview;
How many chickens (and other fowl) do you keep, what breed and what do you use them for (meat, eggs, slug control etc)?
I currently have 10 hens and no roosters. I have six ISA Browns, two Leghorns, and two Pekin Bantams. The large hens are for egg production and the bantams are for pest control. They all grow old gracefully, and I do not cull them as they get old as a reward for all of the service they provide me.
I bought my first hens from a lady named Sue who lives in New Gisborne, which is about 40 minutes north of Melton. She lives on a bush block and breeds hens for sale. They are well looked after, and she sells the pullets at point of lay. As the older hens pass away, I replace them with pullets. We still have one hen from our original flock that is 5 years old. Bunty is at the top of the pecking order, and probably will be until the day she dies.
I have problems with scaly mites as well, just in the past year. I’ve been thinning petroleum jelly with olive oil and adding a bit of tea tree oil, but I can’t say that works any better than plain oil. I’ve scrubbed the roosts too.
Hi Lane,
I also try and deter the mites in the roost with a whitewash of garden lime. It seems to help slow them down.
Gav x
Oh Gav, im picking up a small coop and 2 bantams from a gentleman in Melton on Saturday. I thought to start small to see how my two men and our beloved dog adapt before going all the way. Im so excited. I may have to rescue Jessie’s little Honey from her beasts of roosters who wont leave her alone but Allegra is besotted. I will be reading all i can between now and then.
What time are you in town? Do you want to visit?
Gav x
Im picking them up a 9am. So i guess ill be free after 10am.
Oh My, i just found the most incredible informative resource of keeping chickens – funnily enough its called The Way of the Chicken – A guide to Keeping Backyard Chicken. Its fantastic and an enjoyable read. I believe the author lives not too far from my place. If i can get my Electrician husband to get into solar energy we could have the whole ebook collection.
😉
Gavin, I would love to keep chickens, but alas my hub won’t even consider it. Still a wonderful blog thanks for sharing.
Thanks Dawn, thanks for reading even if you can’t get some yourself.
Gav x
Older chickens are still worthwhile if you have the knack for keeping them. I inherited my grandfathers chickens. I lost 2 in a heatwave as 12 year old’s. The remaining 7 laid 10-20 eggs a week till they died of old age as 17 & 18 year old’s.
I agree anon. Mine live well into their old age, but unfortunately ISA Brown hens drop in the blink of an eye. My oldest ISA is 5 years old, and she is still going strong.
Gav
Love the posts! I kept chickens all the years we were on the farm and when we first moved to town. Raised Turkeys and ducks, tried geese and guineas. When we bought this place in town 13 years ago we were already moved in when I found out there was an ordinance against keeping farm animals. So no chickens =(
For the last three years I’ve been trying to talk my husband back to the country, at least to the edge of town. I still miss my chickens!!
That is a shame Patty. Our council allows us to have 12 hens, but no roosters. With that said I know a few neighbours who have the odd cockrell.
Gav x