MtViking- A little piece of paradise.

[Bruce]

I’m going to fence off a large area around that side around 20x10 with hopes to let them free roam of the dogs will be good.

I wouldn't call 10x20 "large". Of course it depends on how many actual chickens (counting the ones that don't count) you have.

do what ever she tells me to

Smart man!!

She wants to learn how to can for sure. We’re close to Helena. The house has an old greenhouse attached to it that I want get fixed up for her starter plants that will give us more options too.

I was going to suggest a greenhouse if you hope to be somewhat self sufficient. I expect your growing season is similar to ours in length. This year the Early Girl tomato plant didn't have a ripe tomato until September! The yellow Taxi tomato beat the EG by a couple of weeks.

Something to think about...I know my local Tractor Supply required a min of 6 chicks(at least, if I'm not mistaken) if you buy from the store. Online, I think is at least 10. Some hatchery will sell a min of 3 but the shipping for a small quantity is high. And then of course you can always check your local craigslist to see if anyone is selling chicks.

With hatcheries shipping is shipping, same cost for 3 at Meyer as for 14 ($35). They will sell 3 April-Nov, otherwise the minimum is 8- 15 for bantams. Some hatcheries will add "packing peanuts" (AKA chicks you didn't order, probably male) to small shipments, Meyer does not. Shipping drops to $15 for 15 to 24 birds and $10/100 for 25 or more.

And yes, the feed stores often have a minimum # of birds that is higher than the hatcheries, but no shipping charge. The issue I have with them is you don't always know what you are getting. They will put 2 breeds in the same stock tank and if you don't know your breeds, you may get ones you don't want. Don't count on the employees to know anything about them other than that they are chicks.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

View attachment 66103 Pretty hard to say no to that face.

You may find a collar online at jeffers, our LGD is 133 lbs and has a neck size 25 to 27 " ...his collar is about 3" wide. And zip tied, lol, that's where I finally found one to fit Mel. Your fur baby is beautiful

 

[MtViking]

You may find a collar online at jeffers, our LGD is 133 lbs and has a neck size 25 to 27 " ...his collar is about 3" wide. And zip tied, lol, that's where I finally found one to fit Mel. Your fur baby is beautiful

We actually don’t put a collar on our dogs anymore since we lost one to strangulation a few years back. We get them computer chipped and have harnesses for when they’re out and about.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

We actually don’t put a collar on our dogs anymore since we lost one to strangulation a few years back. We get them computer chipped and have harnesses for when they’re out and about.

That's understandable , I had to get a collar for Mel when he arrived here as he was confused and wanted to go back to his original home in Texas....but he is fine now and has his own BYH thread. Lol

 

[MtViking]

wouldn't call 10x20 "large". Of course it depends on how many actual chickens (counting the ones that don't count) you have.

That’s definitely just the starter run lol with 4-6 birds. I guarantee after the first year it will at minimum double the size of the run and chickens.

 

[MtViking]

After walking it out it’s actually closer to 15x25 give or take a foot.

 

[Baymule]

Always plan on bigger. No matter what size, what animals, just go BIGGER.

 

[Baymule]

And leave room to add on.

 

[Mini Horses]

Have you noticed ?? We are SUCH enablers!!!

 

[MtViking]

Budgets have to met before bigger unfortunately. As much as I’d love to build the biggest best homestead right away. I have to start small and work my way up. The good news is I do have lots of room to expand as I go so I would t be surprised if my wife is using your chicken counting methods in no time