tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post3713030406008428354..comments2024-03-23T13:16:37.006-07:00Comments on Hawaiian libertarian: When the Chickens Come Home to RoostKeoni Galthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00842553742723239151noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-83121631243506819692011-08-22T14:02:04.730-07:002011-08-22T14:02:04.730-07:00Well Anon, I've only got 11 hens...not a lot. ...Well Anon, I've only got 11 hens...not a lot. Letting them roam the yard half the day minimizes the amount of manure that builds up, and that EM-1 stuff I referenced really eliminates the odor so incessant cleaning is not really necessary.<br /><br />And I guess I do have a little difference with regards to the weather here in Hawaii.<br /><br />I don't put hay, I use pine needles for their egg box.Keoni Galtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-56515430343274596322011-08-22T11:32:29.561-07:002011-08-22T11:32:29.561-07:00What kind of coop setup do you have that only requ...What kind of coop setup do you have that only requires bi-annual cleaning? No hay in the boxes? Growing up, my most-hated chore was cleaning out the chicken boxes every two weeks, and putting a fresh nest of hay in each box. Between that and the poop, and the viciousness of the Leghorns we had in the flock, I'm not currently a fan of the idea. But if there is way to avoid this particular chore, then maybe...<br />(I also later found out I'm allergic to hay, so basically, just wondering if it's possible to have chickens and zero hay around?)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-56615404999967322742011-08-18T20:43:47.893-07:002011-08-18T20:43:47.893-07:00I noticed, a few years back, when I visited Northe...I noticed, a few years back, when I visited Northern Ireland, that all the eggs had orange yolks; I wondered why... Now I know.<br /><br />Thanks KG!Will S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02714519301979594160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-60692038034049538042011-08-16T11:01:44.789-07:002011-08-16T11:01:44.789-07:00when i move to texas, i'm going to have to ema...when i move to texas, i'm going to have to email you so i can get the know how on housing my own chickens. i'd apprecitate the help brother. <br /><br />stay up.dannyfrom504http://dannyfrom504.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-1046649296870025032011-08-15T17:52:07.563-07:002011-08-15T17:52:07.563-07:00WP - hens can cackle pretty loudly....but nothing ...WP - hens can cackle pretty loudly....but nothing like roosters and their all hours crowing.<br /><br />The hens are pretty quiet after sundown.<br /><br />And no, they never run away..and well, here in HI, we don't have foxes or other such animals that are natural predators, so I don't know much about that.<br /><br />I suppose dogs pose a threat...even non-hunting dogs.Keoni Galtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-55707260714975725152011-08-15T17:28:30.205-07:002011-08-15T17:28:30.205-07:00Also, did you ever have one run/fly away and not r...Also, did you ever have one run/fly away and not return? Or in other words, how loyal are they?WPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-8954412346519308972011-08-15T17:24:45.789-07:002011-08-15T17:24:45.789-07:00Keoni,
How's the noise of the chickens? Also,...Keoni,<br /><br />How's the noise of the chickens? Also, have you ever had to worry about any type of predator coming onto your yard (cat, dog, feral animals)?WPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-76954846919108474052011-08-14T13:10:13.712-07:002011-08-14T13:10:13.712-07:00Thanks for this post! There is a mini-farm in our...Thanks for this post! There is a mini-farm in our future (~2 years away yet, sadly) and I am so looking forward to raising chickens. That yolk comparison picture says it all! Speaking of preparing for my future, how about a paleo baby update? I like to read as much positive stuff as I can, in preparation for having a child myself one day - at about the same time the chickens come along!Lauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-58537504157600022752011-08-14T07:35:56.165-07:002011-08-14T07:35:56.165-07:00Yeah, the best egg layers make lousy meat birds. S...Yeah, the best egg layers make lousy meat birds. Some of ours are downright scrawny, yet they lay a nice big egg every day. We raise <a href="http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/jumbo_cornish_x_rocks.html" rel="nofollow">jumbo Cornish Rocks</a> for meat. Within just a couple months or so, they will grow big enough to put your standard grocery store chicken to shame. Butchering them them takes about 5 minutes apiece if you get a little practice (plenty of videos on Youtube). The only downside is these chickens <b>eat</b> like there's no tomorrow. Probably triple the food of your egg layers.rycamorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00304227546071250006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-51458541593047719142011-08-13T13:46:26.044-07:002011-08-13T13:46:26.044-07:00"While grains make humans sick, chickens seem..."While grains make humans sick, chickens seem to be designed/evolved to eat grains as a regular part of their diet.<br /><br />That makes sense; humans are mammals -- while chickens, being 'birds', are the modern-day descendants of the dinosaurs; therefore they have a much longer (and reptilian) evolutionary ancestry.Ping Jockeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-85541763376219856672011-08-13T11:46:53.056-07:002011-08-13T11:46:53.056-07:00Anon - know, I don't eat them. As I've onl...Anon - know, I don't eat them. As I've only been raising them for 2 1/2 years, I've yet to have chickens who's egg production stops. I suppose that's the point when most chicken farmers make stew...egg laying breeds purportedly have much tougher meat.<br /><br />Kinda hard though, cause my wife loves them like pets. She talks to them and pet them all the time. Telling her we're gonna kill and stew 'em probably won't go over too well with her...lol.<br /><br />Cottage Child - If your goal is a dozen a day, you'll need at least 12 hens.<br /><br />You just need to make sure you have enough space in the coop/enclosure for the number of chickens you want. If you put too many chickens in too small a space, they'll kill each other.Keoni Galtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-34300765386625396442011-08-13T10:07:12.812-07:002011-08-13T10:07:12.812-07:00Thank you for the tips. I plan to start this next ...Thank you for the tips. I plan to start this next year, God willing.AJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-36554174028039717912011-08-13T09:54:03.513-07:002011-08-13T09:54:03.513-07:00Do you keep a rooster?
Also, quantity - you said ...Do you keep a rooster?<br /><br />Also, quantity - you said you had eleven hens, but I can't remember how many folks are in your family. How many hens would you say would be necessary to routinely produce a dozen a day, with loss, breakage, etc?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-75440419215209771412011-08-13T07:04:38.811-07:002011-08-13T07:04:38.811-07:00I've been a free-range advocate and practition...I've been a free-range advocate and practitioner for decades, and outside of this group of self-segregated lesbian Buff Orpingtons we had that a mountain lion killed here last Saturday night, chickens will indeed come home to roost.<br /><br />Let that manure sit for a year and then work it into the garden. It's to "hot" the first year and the high levels of nitrogen will roast your veggies if you don't wait. One other thing - as free-rangers you really don't need to add oyster shell because they will pick up small pebbles by themselves which aid in both digestion and adding strength to the shell. Beyond that, enjoy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-75754884561842355602011-08-13T04:39:35.156-07:002011-08-13T04:39:35.156-07:00Awesome article there, KG. Don't have the room...Awesome article there, KG. Don't have the room myself and it's against the code where I live. So, have to pay the premium for pastured eggs from the same farm I get my raw milk. That yolk comparison picture says it all. Some claim that an allergy can develop if you eat eggs everyday. I've been having eggs for breakfast for years with no problem.Carnivorenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4256367009985298221.post-66367125561710315952011-08-13T03:54:51.589-07:002011-08-13T03:54:51.589-07:00You eat the chickens themselves, or just the eggs?...You eat the chickens themselves, or just the eggs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com