- Thread starter
- #201
Ferguson K
Herd Master
Some big changes are happening around here.
Our biggest and main focus the last two years, and my lifetime obsession, have been the birds. Due to time conflicts, long work hours, lack of ability to keep pens properly cleaned, and lack of ability to keep predators at bay ( lost 45-50 birds in a two week span due to forgetting to lock cages ) we have decided to sell down most of our poultry. No more pheasants, no more ducks (keeping only @Baymule s runners ), no more laying hens... No more much of anything. Selling all of the quail except about 20-30 bobwhite. We're only keeping my SQ Black Australorps, my imported Kraienkoppe, and a handful of American game birds. Just enough to supply us with eggs. Sold all of my easter eggers... That was hard. Sold all but a few guineas, still trying to sell about 10-15 more birds. Most went to their new homes Saturday and Sunday. I gave my mom my breeder Coturnix quail, she's beyond excited. She is getting a deal! 150 free quail!!
We're keeping all large livestock. They're easier. Expanding to a third breed of pig, most likely Hampshire or Hampshire cross. Bringing home Bernadette (the calf) within the next few weeks. She's almost weaned now, I'm excited!
The goats are due any day. We just can't keep up. My husband couldn't do all the pigs, all the goats, all the horses, AND meet the demand of the poultry (1500 birds at one point) with the schedules I've been working. These 15+hour days are taking their toll on me. Waiting patiently on it all to slow down!
So we talked it over. The birds had to go. I don't have anything that can't be replaced in them, when we're ready, and they require so much care and so much time. Time I just don't have to devote at this point.
That being said, its strange to walk outside and only see 20 birds. To see empty pens and feel the hole that has been created by their absence in the pens...
Most of those pens are being converted into kidding pens for the does or torn down, as I only need two pens now for the birds.
I am sad, yes. However I know that if I keep asking him to take care of my hobby things won't end well. The large animals are easy. They don't require near the effort to keep happy. They also pay for themselves, which the birds haven't done in months. I haven't been able to ship eggs or set eggs since October. Started selling birds then... Now its down to the final count down.
Now for the waiting game on kids and piglets. Time is winding down! Time to breath again!
We're waiting to hear back from a friend who raises show pigs. She might be willing to do an even trade on the last of the birds I have available for a couple of unrelated pigs. If she doesn't, I'll market them again. I've got 50+ birds with her name on them.
Here's one of the bearded serama I'm having trouble letting go. She's so cute! But I have no time for the bantams either. *sigh*
Dirty pens! No time for cleaning just isn't fair.. On any animal. Why do the birds have to be so complicated?
Our biggest and main focus the last two years, and my lifetime obsession, have been the birds. Due to time conflicts, long work hours, lack of ability to keep pens properly cleaned, and lack of ability to keep predators at bay ( lost 45-50 birds in a two week span due to forgetting to lock cages ) we have decided to sell down most of our poultry. No more pheasants, no more ducks (keeping only @Baymule s runners ), no more laying hens... No more much of anything. Selling all of the quail except about 20-30 bobwhite. We're only keeping my SQ Black Australorps, my imported Kraienkoppe, and a handful of American game birds. Just enough to supply us with eggs. Sold all of my easter eggers... That was hard. Sold all but a few guineas, still trying to sell about 10-15 more birds. Most went to their new homes Saturday and Sunday. I gave my mom my breeder Coturnix quail, she's beyond excited. She is getting a deal! 150 free quail!!
We're keeping all large livestock. They're easier. Expanding to a third breed of pig, most likely Hampshire or Hampshire cross. Bringing home Bernadette (the calf) within the next few weeks. She's almost weaned now, I'm excited!
The goats are due any day. We just can't keep up. My husband couldn't do all the pigs, all the goats, all the horses, AND meet the demand of the poultry (1500 birds at one point) with the schedules I've been working. These 15+hour days are taking their toll on me. Waiting patiently on it all to slow down!
So we talked it over. The birds had to go. I don't have anything that can't be replaced in them, when we're ready, and they require so much care and so much time. Time I just don't have to devote at this point.
That being said, its strange to walk outside and only see 20 birds. To see empty pens and feel the hole that has been created by their absence in the pens...
Most of those pens are being converted into kidding pens for the does or torn down, as I only need two pens now for the birds.
I am sad, yes. However I know that if I keep asking him to take care of my hobby things won't end well. The large animals are easy. They don't require near the effort to keep happy. They also pay for themselves, which the birds haven't done in months. I haven't been able to ship eggs or set eggs since October. Started selling birds then... Now its down to the final count down.
Now for the waiting game on kids and piglets. Time is winding down! Time to breath again!
We're waiting to hear back from a friend who raises show pigs. She might be willing to do an even trade on the last of the birds I have available for a couple of unrelated pigs. If she doesn't, I'll market them again. I've got 50+ birds with her name on them.
Here's one of the bearded serama I'm having trouble letting go. She's so cute! But I have no time for the bantams either. *sigh*
Dirty pens! No time for cleaning just isn't fair.. On any animal. Why do the birds have to be so complicated?
You made a wise, if hard decision. Sometimes you have to go with what works. I know you love your birds, that really sucks that work is consuming so much of your life right now. But on the flip side, it's wonderful that you have such a good job with a good company, doing work that you enjoy. 
