tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post6401184278499893918..comments2024-03-23T02:51:24.594-07:00Comments on A Life Unprocessed: Hens And The Garden: A TragedyMellowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-36345246919098117712017-11-29T02:49:40.483-08:002017-11-29T02:49:40.483-08:00Whenever I want to drop a temporary fence off of o... Whenever I want to drop a temporary fence off of one of my permanent electric fences, I usually make a simple gate loop by wrapping some wire on either side of an insulator on one of these t-posts. <a href="https://fencecompaniesinmyarea.wordpress.com/pexels-photo-130053/" rel="nofollow">electric gates</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12819340383697554523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-29284146510090225262014-02-27T19:25:29.106-08:002014-02-27T19:25:29.106-08:00Yes you have to put up with a lot of sh*t in the c...Yes you have to put up with a lot of sh*t in the cities. The cities are full of rabbits. (vermin) Maybe you should consider moving.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-59778877434817351782014-02-03T16:27:00.438-08:002014-02-03T16:27:00.438-08:00"Chickens, not eating slugs." HA HA! Tha..."Chickens, not eating slugs." HA HA! Thanks for writing this post. I'm in obsessive research mode right now and deciding between chickens and rabbits. I've been leaning towards rabbits for all of the reasons you mentioned so it was helpful to read your experience. I'm in a different climate than you are (southern California so hot and dusty all the time) and I know three families who keep chickens...yet they have no eggs. I mean, they have eggs, but never many at one time and certainly not enough to sell or share. I'm interested in backyard sustainability as you are and your point about being unable to have roosters in an urban/suburban space and thus having to replenish the chickens is an excellent point. I've been mostly researching the cost effectiveness between the two, comparing the work involved, but I hand't thought about the actual sustainability between the two. Thanks for that! Amberhttp://www.amberdusick.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-14948095258616004752013-10-28T17:24:39.040-07:002013-10-28T17:24:39.040-07:00Good luck with the rabbits. We can't keep chic...Good luck with the rabbits. We can't keep chickens in our town, but it is always interesting to read about different people's experiences with them. Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Greens!Becky Elmucciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10115211713006910388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-14664519708521914852013-07-23T14:06:20.109-07:002013-07-23T14:06:20.109-07:00Good luck with your rabbits! Glad you linked part ...Good luck with your rabbits! Glad you linked part two of your chicken story to the Home Acre Hop. Do come back again this week!<br />Nancy http://homefront.prudentliving.comNancy Whttp://homefront.prudentliving.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-89518054797265636462013-07-10T21:16:57.235-07:002013-07-10T21:16:57.235-07:00I want a small homestead, but this makes me recons...I want a small homestead, but this makes me reconsider my plan. haha <br />Good luck!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10675547470299483779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-23693911029764824102013-06-22T05:29:07.920-07:002013-06-22T05:29:07.920-07:00Great post. I admire your honesty and decision to ...Great post. I admire your honesty and decision to do what was best for all involved. Backyard chickens can be tricky, will be descructive etc. and I think many aren't up for that - or realize that before diving in. Your article might make others stop and think a bit more first. I enjoyed your economics post as well.<br /><br />I would love for you to come share both at our weekly blog hop:<br />http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/06/from-farm-blog-hop-38.html<br /><br />Lisa<br />Fresh Eggs DailyLisa | Fresh Eggs Daily®https://www.blogger.com/profile/16766604467302444189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-54854238732533977492013-06-17T06:43:14.523-07:002013-06-17T06:43:14.523-07:00You are totally right- if we don't have room f...You are totally right- if we don't have room for chickens, we don't have room for ducks. And a much bigger yard (with garden fencing!) would make all the difference.Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-15882526989975336782013-06-15T12:26:50.023-07:002013-06-15T12:26:50.023-07:00I'm so glad a friend recommended your Blog, it...I'm so glad a friend recommended your Blog, it's right up my alley! It's too bad about your chickens. I think your major issue is really how small of an area you have. we have kept banties full time in a large garden with no problems we have also had full size chickens with access to the garden on acreage that didn't cause damage as long as we kept them out during spring when everything was tender. Distance between their home-roost and the garden is also important, if it's far away they will have foraged the whole distance there and not be as hungry or stay as long. Ducks would probably be just as bad or worse. they poop twice as much as chickens and the consistency is like tar, try stepping in that for a change! I'd wait on the ducks if I were you. Plus, rabbits are a great adventure instead!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11124186690127088722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-59830154176598400032013-05-31T06:48:17.957-07:002013-05-31T06:48:17.957-07:00Thank you so much for the feature!Thank you so much for the feature!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-24687772864115908042013-05-28T16:23:37.395-07:002013-05-28T16:23:37.395-07:00Great info and sounds like you made the right deci...Great info and sounds like you made the right decision for your garden and your conditions. I don't blame them for not eating slugs ;) Thanks for sharing this on Waste Not Want Not, I'm featuring it this week. Danielle @ Poor and Gluten Freehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09836360004405159423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-57245275832650514322013-05-16T00:15:43.656-07:002013-05-16T00:15:43.656-07:00Yes, fortunately we've never had WILD rabbits!...Yes, fortunately we've never had WILD rabbits!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-28111273568315275732013-03-12T21:29:09.325-07:002013-03-12T21:29:09.325-07:00Oh, that sounds cute! What do you cover your beds ...Oh, that sounds cute! What do you cover your beds with? Wire fencing?Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-68401137624201866332013-03-12T20:05:40.062-07:002013-03-12T20:05:40.062-07:00I have a covered bed (though I am not thrilled wit...I have a covered bed (though I am not thrilled with my covering, it does work), and another bed under construction. I am trying a different cover this time. My poor little pomegranate bush (15" tall) is protected by a 12" cheap wire fence that the hens can't figure out LOL. <br /><br />But yes--these hens have killed bermuda grass! I though nothing could. They leave my oregano, lavender, and rosemary alone though. Here I was hoping for some oregano-flavored eggs!<br /><br />They also jump and grab the lowest-hanging figs on our tree. Which is a fair trade, given how many fig beetles they eat! We have one hen in particular who chases them around the yard til they go over the fence or she catches them. It's hysterical. And a little amazing to see her gulp them down, they're so big.Dreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059983303403184992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-53364696083057739732013-03-11T22:12:48.818-07:002013-03-11T22:12:48.818-07:00I've heard good things about ducks too! It sou...I've heard good things about ducks too! It sounds like they are less destructive in the garden. But chickens might still work for you, if you have a garden that can be fenced off, or if you use something like a chicken tractor to keep them contained as they scratch and peck.Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-27086774290770118112013-03-11T19:30:26.722-07:002013-03-11T19:30:26.722-07:00Oh my - I'm glad I read this! Here we've b...Oh my - I'm glad I read this! Here we've been transforming a shed into a coop to get our little flock of hens, and now this - ha! I really have heard good things about ducks...maybe I should be looking more into it. :)Jami @ An Oregon Cottagehttp://www.anoregoncottage.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-49397097312571879932013-03-07T07:12:55.125-08:002013-03-07T07:12:55.125-08:00Thanks Becky, I'll check it out!Thanks Becky, I'll check it out!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-45888739279356820332013-03-07T02:56:41.403-08:002013-03-07T02:56:41.403-08:00Sounds like it was the best decision for you guys ...Sounds like it was the best decision for you guys and your garden. I would love to have chickens, but we would be in the same boat with them destroying our garden. I'd love to have you link up with my Tuesday Greens linky on www.craftygardenmama.com. Have a great week!Becky Elmucciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10115211713006910388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-39583958949912685992013-03-06T14:09:48.513-08:002013-03-06T14:09:48.513-08:00There are definitely ways of having a garden &...There are definitely ways of having a garden & chickens coexist, but it involves lots of fencing so you can control the chicken's access. Some people do keep their old hens long past egg-laying age- they would still be sweet garden companions, make fertilizer, and compost your kitchen scraps. They can live ten years, but you won't get too many eggs once they're older than four. Keeping animals often involves making some tough decisions!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-11748337938736168372013-03-06T10:05:48.400-08:002013-03-06T10:05:48.400-08:00I am glad I read this because I have been thinking...I am glad I read this because I have been thinking of doing exactly that. Having a few (2 or 3) chickens to run around the garden. Maybe have a few eggs as well. Now I realize I need to rethink that situation. I dont think I want to know what happened to your hens and I dont want to have to make that decision either. I love the bunnies......so cute. Again, could not raise them for food. <br />JaniceJanice Kay Schaubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01218296462551967972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-60052889982282442132013-02-27T22:20:13.729-08:002013-02-27T22:20:13.729-08:00Thanks for sharing that article! I can't belie...Thanks for sharing that article! I can't believe how many people are abandoning chickens- that really surprises me. We have been given many roosters by people who raised them unintentionally, and while we would love to keep these beautiful birds, in our neighborhood they are destined for the soup pot. I can't even imagine roosters at an animal shelter, poor things!<br />As far as trends go, keeping chickens seems like a pretty good intentioned and healthy one, and hopefully for a lot of people it will work out! We've really enjoyed our hens over the years, for the most part, but they do create problems, and just were no longer working for us.Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-62436624090468355292013-02-27T21:05:59.297-08:002013-02-27T21:05:59.297-08:00Thank you for bringing to light the less fanciful ...Thank you for bringing to light the less fanciful side of owning backyard chickens. While it is wonderful that more and more individuals and families such as yourselves are taking the responsibility and care to engage in sustainable farming, gardening, and general living practices, it is unfortunate in the case of backyard chickens that the exciting fantasy often precedes a harsh reality. Most people don't realize that hens cease to lay after a few years, and don't want to butcher their old pet hens. Chicken populations in animal shelters are growing all over the country as a result, and this isn't the only ramification that this trend is eliciting. This article in the New York Times outlines some of the subsequent issues of novice backyard chicken farming:<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/dining/23sfdine.html?_r=0<br /><br />Thanks again for posting your experiences with your backyard chickens. I hope it will help people find the foresight to decide whether it is practical for them, so that they can avoid a potentially unpleasant experience, and ultimately, having to surrender their innocent animals.Kelly415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-81899958210728216162013-02-24T04:13:06.900-08:002013-02-24T04:13:06.900-08:00Oh that's nice that you managed to create a re...Oh that's nice that you managed to create a really dry area for them! For some reason our run just never stayed dry enough, there were enough little leaks between the sections of roofing, and maybe it soaked moisture up from the ground.Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-86921203141774860262013-02-23T23:47:39.674-08:002013-02-23T23:47:39.674-08:00I have hens and limited garden area due to not bei...I have hens and limited garden area due to not being able to do the work. My hens love to find a flower or vegetable garden to dig up and kick the bulbs and potatoes all over! I inadvertantly put the hens' 10'x10' dog pen on a slope. Once the hens killed the grass, they had to stand in mud. I have a tarp over the secure-from-predator top. So, the water runs in. <br /><br />I put bricks around the outside of the pen on the top/high side where the water flows from. As the water flowed on the really gentle slope, dirt and other stuff washed over the bricks, forming a barrier to the water getting into the pen. I use pine straw and leaves from my yard for a foot deep litter that keeps their feet dry. There is always a dry place in the pen where they can have a dust bath. <br /><br />Hens hate the weeds I want them to destroy...sigh. They will jump into the buckets where I have plants! Practical Parsimonyhttp://www.practical-parsimony.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-24953053579986789042013-02-23T11:17:58.655-08:002013-02-23T11:17:58.655-08:00Fortunately we don't have to deal with wild ra...Fortunately we don't have to deal with wild rabbits in the garden! Ours stay contained, just eating the weeds and clippings and making compost for the garden.Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.com