the business of chickens

So as many of you are painfully aware.. I am waiting for my point of lays to start producing eggs and to officially become 'hens'.
I have been researching many different ways to keep my chickens healthy and happy.
One thing that has stood out is that prevention is better than a cure.
I want to care for my chickens in the best way possible but I also want to keep my home free of products that are harmful to my animals and my family.
Thankfully I have found many ways to keep mites, worms and scaly legs at bay.
One Blogger I have previously mention - Lisa prescribes to the holy trinity - Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic & Diatomaceous Earth.

Click here to read more about how Lisa keeps the chicken nasties away.

Something that seems to have a bit of a debate raging around it is feeding your chickens egg shells to boost their calcium levels for egg production.
Many argue if you are giving your hens or point of lays a good laying pellet/mash/grain then that is all they need while others argue otherwise.
After consideration I have decided to offer as a free choice to my chickens -ground egg shells.
At this point I am using market purchased free range egg shells, baking them in the oven and grinding them with a mortar and pestle.  Whether you need to bake them in the oven or not is also a hot topic when feeding your chicken their own eggs shells - it is always advised when using other hens egg shells.

Wow, who knew there were so many different ways to feed and care for your chickens. At the end of the day if you have your chickens best interests at heart you just need to do what works for you and them. And maybe a little bit of careful trial and error....the same as parenting really.

Cheers,
Lila

Chicken Quick Reference

To prepare myself for being a mother to hen's I purchased a book to read on raising and caring for chickens and found it to be quite useful. There are plenty of online resources and I use these too but it's great to have something to grab when the wifi is down!
Click here to check the book out!  It is by a UK author but most of the advice is still relevant.

To find out if you can have hens in your backyard visit your local council's website.
For local Brisbanites - click here.

Cheers,
Lila

My first pet ever!

I am so excited! A bucket list item and a long held dream has been achieved!
My husband bought me my very own chicken!!!
And a coop and two playmates to go with.

I may not have dreamed of them as a child but as long as I can remember as an adult I have always wanted chickens. For so many reasons, not just their yummy and free range eggs.
Being somewhat intrepid I have not stayed in one place long enough or had a large enough backyard to commit to being a mummy to hens before now.

My first ever pet was much wanted and I love them.  They are point of lays so are a few weeks off laying but they have already added so much to our home.  My husband and I love sitting in the backyard watching them go about their very busy business. My Black Australorp "Wanderer" has taken the lead and after only one night was corralling the other two up into the roost at sunset.

They are very smart! That is one thing I wasn't expecting.

We ummed and ahhed for months about adding to our family.  Would my husband's dogs get along with them, who would look after them if we went away, point of lays or rescued battery hens... the list goes on. But after careful consideration and research we decided we were ready.

So it may not be a farm yet but our big backyard is alive with activity and chicken poop!

Cheers,

Lila

Wanderer

My husbands White Leghorn "Foghorn"

My daughter's Isa Brown "Twinkle"

Inspiration and Encouragement

Finding my way to a farm is going to be a long and I know at times very challenging journey.
One of my favourite pick me up's is reading about other peoples experiences in similar endeavours.
When I'm feeling like there is no way my brain can learn everything there is to learn to make a successful go at farming I am comforted by the musings of others who have stepped before me.
Their tales of baby steps and miss-steps helps me to see that the journey there is just as important and along the way I will find my feet and one day before I know it I will wake up (very early) in my bed on the farm I dream about.
One of my favourites and a farm that has similar ethics to my 'farm' are the lovely folks at Mount Gnomon Farm in Tasmania.
They love their animals and give a beautiful and realistic account of their own adventure into farming.
Click here to head over to their blog and be inspired or at the very least entertained by the wonderful photos of their beautiful animals and experiences.

Cheers,

Lila

Check out my next blog for more info on these guys!!!