Hello from west Texas

[HornyToadAcres]

My name is Karen. I am 59 years young with four grown (one just) children but no grands (dagnabbit).

I've been enjoying a small flock of chickens for several years, but hubby gave me the go ahead
to add more and get serious. I am not sure he realizes what he has done! I started with rabbits
and had my first litter last week. I chose TAMUK which is a composite breed bred for hot Texas
summers. Besides the gray pair that had the litter, I have a trio of 10 week olds that I must
get separated.

I have 51 Amber Star chicks coming from McMurray Hatchery in March. Supposed to be
good layers but also friendly. We will see. I only have room currently for 10 so I will sell
the rest to pay for my order. I have to keep my chickens in a pen as there are so many
predators here and not a lot of cover besides mesquite bushes.

We live on two acres in a little metal house and have 12 RV spots for the oilfield
workers and young families, single moms. It's half-empty right now in the current
situation therefore the ramping up of the farming. I also just planted three
kinds of bamboo which I am quite excited about.

We have 40 acres about an hour from here - just flat west Texas land.
We hope to be able to move there in the next couple of years.

Almost forgot - we have a breeding pair of German Shepherds.
Presented us with a singleton in December which has been a new experience.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Welcome from Florida

 

[HornyToadAcres]

Welcome from Florida

We grew up in north central Florida - Levy county.
The main difference here in the high desert of west Texas is that it is DRY.
I have various oils that I slather on hair and skin to keep from drying out
into old leather.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

I have to go to levy county to shop lol, we have only been here for four years, definitely a different place to live in this area of Florida

 

[Baymule]

Welcome neighbor! We are just north of Tyler, Texas. Our good Governor is passing laws to keep the Fed(up) out of Texas oil business. So maybe things will improve for you. Our son is a crane operator so we feel your pain. He got lucky and got a job with a company that builds schools. It takes him all month to make what he used to make in a week. But at least he’s paying his bills, he had just bought a house.

Glad to have you here! Chickens and rabbits are the gateway drug for farm animals, just so you know. We won’t tell your husband. LOL

 

[HornyToadAcres]

I have to go to levy county to shop lol, we have only been here for four years, definitely a different place to live in this area of Florida

We moved to Williston when I was eight and I graduated from High School there. My brother moved back after the Army. Great place to grow up in, not sure how great to move to lol. It is really beautiful country IMHO. I used to have an accent and have moved all over. I enjoyed watching peoples' faces when I said I was from Florida. Few see that part and it is very different from south Florida.

 

[HornyToadAcres]

Welcome neighbor! We are just north of Tyler, Texas. Our good Governor is passing laws to keep the Fed(up) out of Texas oil business. So maybe things will improve for you. Our son is a crane operator so we feel your pain. He got lucky and got a job with a company that builds schools. It takes him all month to make what he used to make in a week. But at least he’s paying his bills, he had just bought a house.

Glad to have you here! Chickens and rabbits are the gateway drug for farm animals, just so you know. We won’t tell your husband. LOL

I am laughing thinking of my friends that say Hey, I'm coming to Dallas/San Antonio/Houston, how close will I be to you?

We have been out here, well I have been out here since 2013, hubby a little longer. He is a master mechanic. Yep, nothing pays like oilfield work. We set up to make through the lows. We didn't envision this particular scenario but I am taking the big silver lining of getting to do what I have always wanted to do. My kids' dad (dec.) always wanted a nice suburban home. I survived for 30 years like that, but no more! Woohoo!

Growing up doing 4-H and FFA, I have had almost everything but goats. hee hee hee....

PS Good for your son!!!

 

[Baymule]

I am laughing thinking of my friends that say Hey, I'm coming to Dallas/San Antonio/Houston, how close will I be to you?

No kidding! We moved here from Livingston 6 years ago to be close to our DD and family. They moved to Odessa last year. And they asked us if we wanted to move too! NO! It is a hard 8 hour drive straight down Interstate 20, through Dallas and Fort Worth and all the little towns nested around them. Traffic is awful. I-20 is high speed bumper cars. Sometimes we meet halfway to get the kids, at Cisco.

Growing up doing 4-H and FFA, I have had almost everything but goats. hee hee hee....

We have sheep, I'm having a blast!