Talk to me about chickens. I was trying to convince my dad to buy some chicks and raise them for meat, but apparently, all of the processing places within a 50 mile radius have closed.

I know there are a couple of places not far from me that would process chickens. Here's the thing, I live on a large lot in a subdivision. We have a fenced-in yard. My neighbor got two chicks from a county fair a couple of summers ago and kept them until they had feathers, but she called the township, and they said that you have to have 5 acres to keep livestock. So...could I do it anyway? How long does it take? How much space would a dozen or 2 dozen chickens take? If I kept them in a tractor...hmmm.

Other thoughts, our property is in a bit of a dip, downhill from nearly all of our immediate neighbors, many of whom use lots of chemicals on their lawns. This also concerns me with regard to planting gardens, but so far, I just pretend it has no impact on what we're doing in our chemical-free (with the weeds to prove it) lawn.

You mean just for meat? They take 8-10 weeks to grow to butchering size. You would probably want to tractor them and move the chicken tractor around frequently if it was small. The pesticides would concern me; can you have someone do a soil test? And if you get found out, you might have to find a new home for the birds asap, which would not be easy.

You sound like me Jody. We live downhill from everyone and half the neighborhood uses the evil Chemlawn. I am sure they think we are lowering their property values. :rolleyes:

I should think it would only be an issue if your neighbors complained about you. You could feel them out. You could get fined for doing it, I imagine, if someone complained, or just told to rehome them.

Oh and space...figure 4 sq ft per bird. So for 12 meat birds, 48 sf, or a 4x12 ft tractor, should be fine. :) If you want them to pasture you might have to move it frequently - weekly? daily? I'm not sure, I've never done anything but full free range (I'll be doing movable coops w/fencing this year).

I think you could probably get fined for having the birds in your yard and it could be a fine per bird so with that possibility and with the thought of the pesticides I probably wouldn't do it.

Have you bought any birds from Susan Ader? We have bought from her twice now. Her prices are reasonable for free range birds and it is nice to not have the mess or liability since we live in town.

I'm not familiar with Susan Ader. The farm where I get milk is offering free-range birds for about $15-18 a chicken, and I just can't do that...

the person behind the large bulk oil purchases that are done through many of the local co-ops each year. I can't remember exactly but I think the birds were either 1.79 or 1.89 a lb (seems like they were under $10 per bird). They are free range but I am not sure what variety they are.

I can let you know when I here from her if you want. She usually gives 2-3 pick up dates for birds and also does Turkey's in the fall. If I remember right she requires $5 down on each bird. We have gotten birds from her twice with no issues.

Is it LUbber's farms that you are going to for milk?

Yes, Lubber's. I was occasionally buying eggs there, but my co-op just started getting eggs from another farmer, and I can get them for $2 a dozen (yay!).

I would love to order chickens from her. I also need more oil...Have you heard anything about an oil order? Maybe I totally missed it...When I switched computers I managed to fall off my co-op email list.

I kind-of wish I had gone with Steve and Sons in Coopersville. What I read of their info, your base amount is 2 gallons, and you might get as much as 5 when the cows are really producing. I assumed it worked the same way when I signed up, and didn't think it through when I was told, there might be a note on the board that I could take another quart (!) when there was a lot of milk.

I think Lubber's is closer, though, and it gives me an excuse to head down to that end of town and hit the homeschool building. And, 2 gallons a week is working OK for us.

I emailed her last week and she said the oil order would be coming soon. She is super busy with her large family and farm so she is a bit behind right now. I will let you know when I hear about chickens and oil.

but I know someone who has an indoor pet chicken and apparently is isn't that unusual!

Indoors, the small bantam breeds are better. Most indoor pet chicken owners have either Silkies or Cochins, they have the mildest personalities.

Hilarious. We don't want one for a pet.