…but we are talking about them.
After all the talk of fly control lately and some of you suggesting we should have chickens, we’re considering it. Mind you, just considering it.
Some of the things we’ve talked about:
With some changes and updates, our old shed might make a fine chicken coop.
If we do get chickens, they’ll be named after our favorite female characters in Deadwood. And, if we do get chickens, it won’t be until next year.
Of course, we asked the boys what they thought about having chickens. While Bernard was noncommittal, Ellsworth thought it was a good idea.
And while Fergus thought it might be cool,
Nigel thought the idea rocked. He even asked to borrow the book so he could do some more research on the topic.
What do you think?
August 4, 2010 at 4:10 am
Chickens are neat to have around, require little care and the eggs are SO much better then store bought, + if all the guys agree, what are you waiting for? LOL
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August 4, 2010 at 5:39 am
I say, yes, by all means, get some chickens. And some guinea hens. And some peacocks, maybe. (I guess you know, I’m not taking care of any of these – but it sure is fun to watch from here!) We all appreciate the hard work it takes to make it look as easy as MBF does.
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August 4, 2010 at 6:22 am
Oh yes! I agree with Lynette and Pat! We do not have room for animals on our small plot of land. Would love to see the future Alma, Joanie, Trixie and Jane come to live with you!
XO,
Valerie
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August 4, 2010 at 6:40 am
I do like the idea of providing our own food and even though I don’t have chickens, I do go to my local farmer’s mkt and buy fresh eggs. Pat’s right – they’re just better tasting. I usually get brown double yolk eggs and they are always so good. Do you guys garden as well?
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August 4, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Nancy,
Other than tomatoes, no real gardening yet. 🙂
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August 4, 2010 at 6:44 am
I highly recommend it! Chickens complete a farm and our donkeys think they are rather fun to chase once in a while:-)
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August 4, 2010 at 6:48 am
Yes you do need some chickens. Then a HenPal Chicken Nest Box!! lol..
Seriously though, guineas are much better insect controllers around here. You have to have a few guineas, also.
Have a great day.
Pam
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August 4, 2010 at 6:53 am
I think it’s a great idea! But you’d have an R-rated barnyard if Trixie and Jane don’t watch their language.
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August 4, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Carson,
😀
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August 4, 2010 at 6:59 am
I think Ellsworth, Fergus and Nigel are right on the money! Ellsworth will come around once he finds out how fun chickens can be. That old shed of yours would make a fabulous chicken coop!
You have already picked out names, so it’s official. Chickens at Morning Bray, chickens at Morning Bray!!! Yippee!
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August 4, 2010 at 7:07 am
A definite yes! You can do their toe nails, too!:)
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August 4, 2010 at 7:14 am
I concur. Chickens are an outstanding idea. Your shed looks perfect and secure from predators at night.
PS…Speaking of flies…. How is Ellsworth doing? Did having his teeth worked on, help him?
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August 4, 2010 at 7:50 am
CeeCee,
Thank you so much for asking about Ellsworth! Since a couple of days after the vet visited and pulled those baby teeth, he’s no longer doing the mouth thing. At all. 😀
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August 4, 2010 at 7:21 am
Listen to Nigel..he KNOWS chickens are a great idea! What kind are you thinking of getting? My favorites are the Rhode Island Reds.
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August 4, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Rosanne,
No clue what kind yet. Don has had chickens before, and I believe his favorites are the Rhode Island Reds as well. 🙂
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August 4, 2010 at 7:44 am
Hands down, that is the CUTEST photo of Nigel ever taken. The look in his eyes is priceless.
Well worth getting (and taking care of) chickens.
Watch out for your coyote friend, though…
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August 4, 2010 at 7:58 am
Yes. A big resounding yes to getting chickens. They are truly amazing. Personalities plus. Fresh eggs. Insect population way, way down. Easy to care for.
It wasn’t until last year I got my first chickens. Now I wonder why I waited so darned long.
Chickens. Yes. Yes. Yes.
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August 4, 2010 at 8:21 am
Chickens are great. We had them for a few years and we had more eggs than we knew what to do with. We finally gave them away because we just had too many living things to take care of on the farm and not enough time.
But….. I don’t think they did anything for the fly population except maybe add more fly habitat! We have had wonderful success with the fly predators. They make a huge difference. To be really effective you have to start early and make sure you have the appropriate number of predators for the number of livestock.
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August 4, 2010 at 8:50 am
If I had a favorite, it would be Nigel. He’s the cleverest of them all.
I’m a big fan of chickens. I wish I had your shed for a coop! But I have read that Guinea fowl are even better at pest control. The only drawback is they apparently have a rather loud, unpleasant call. Don’t know how it compares to a donkey’s bray!
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August 4, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Flartus,
Guineas ain’t got nothin’ on donkey brays. 😉 We have guineas next door and love them dearly.
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August 4, 2010 at 8:55 am
Definitely a “Yes” on the chicken debate. I would have them in an instant, if not for all my pesky neighbours. I’m not even going to mention roosters. Oops… I guess I just did. *grin*
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August 4, 2010 at 9:00 am
My chicken gets to board at the neighbors with their chickens. They have a very spiffy custom made coop. I have no room for a coop so that is why Harper Lee stays at the neighbors and I pay her boarding fee. They always have fresh food and water and the coop/run are kept very clean. My vote? Get chickens but keep them safely penned so no coyotes etc. have access.
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August 4, 2010 at 7:08 pm
georgie,
Harper Lee? LOVE it!
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August 4, 2010 at 9:47 am
I think Nigel should read the entire book from cover to cover and tell us all about it… a book report would be very nice!
Di
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August 4, 2010 at 11:33 am
Glad to hear that Ellsworth is OK again.
Nigel will eat from your hand, but won’t take that next step ? He’s so close !
I don’t know any thing about chickens !
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August 4, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Chickens are the best!
We used to have them and I miss them so much! Love fresh eggs, yum!
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August 4, 2010 at 1:44 pm
well, I think having a chicken named after me is a splendid idea. And Linda, what do you mean I have to watch my language?? heehee
don’t know much about chickens but what I do know is that I love reading about them on everyone’s blogs 🙂
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August 4, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Anything that eats bugs has my vote!
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August 4, 2010 at 7:07 pm
well since i’ve given up on getting you back to MD or VA…then get the damn chickens. lol just took care of a friend’s chickens and i just have to say that the eggs are WAAAAAAAAAAAY better than store bought. so fresh and delish. so i vote to get the damn chickens. 🙂
miss you.
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August 4, 2010 at 7:09 pm
miss you too. tons.
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August 4, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I will gratefully spin back to you what I thank you for advising me: Go where your heart is! (As well as your breakfast!)
PS: Love seeing a Dummies book as burro chow.
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August 5, 2010 at 6:38 am
I think the responsibility of taking care of chickens could be just the thing for increasing Nigel’s self confidence.
😉
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August 5, 2010 at 3:28 pm
By all means — yes to the fowl! We love our chickens. We started out with 2 buff orps when we still lived in the city and just went from there when we moved to the country. We now have about 3 dozen more or less. They really do require the least amount of maintenance of all our farm critters and will eat a ton of bugs. However, they do require protection from predators — including snakes, some species of which will eat the eggs and little chicks. We’ve had several snakes — rat snakes, invade the coop. If you can keep them safe, you’ll really enjoy them. Many of them have great personalities (well, for a chicken).
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