JaySmith wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 3:37 pm

Walleye Hunter wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 2:31 pm Here's what my twp says about goats.

3)
The raising and ownership of goats, sheep and/or similar livestock exceeding 50 pounds in weight is permitted in all districts, provided the minimum lot size exceeds two contiguous grazeable acres. The total number of goats, sheep and/or similar livestock shall not exceed five for all lots with less than five contiguous grazeable acres. For each additional contiguous grazeable acre over five, the total number of goats, sheep and/or similar livestock shall not exceed five per acre up to a maximum total of 100.

That's absurd. I thought this was america.

10 birds per acre? That means each bird needs 4356 square feet of space?

They need to spread their chicken wings

Rumors are flying that hoover hatchery canceled production for 2025, which is going to make chicks impossible to get.

Which means I'll have to hatch my own chicks. I debated getting rid of the rooster a few times, I'm glad I didn't.

I'll have to set up a new coop and section off the run and stick the rooster in with 10 girls that I want him to get busy with. That way I'm sure i'm collecting fertilized eggs. Then I'll stick them in the incubator. I plan to hatch at least 25 assuming i'll get 50% male/female ratio.

I'll raise them to 4 months until I can identify the males, then cull them for meat and let the rest of the girls join the flock.

How often are you replacing hens?

I get 12-14/yr, keep them 4 years, then retire them. So at any given time I have 48-50 birds. This year I will be retiring my first batch of 12.

It's been four years already? Can you get chicks off of Alderfer in Souderton?

I wasn't aware they sold chicks.

JaySmith wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2025 5:26 pm I wasn't aware they sold chicks.

I'm not sure what they sell, do you know where they are? They have a sign out that says they sell chicks. You might have to buy them by the truckload.

And I've been seeing posts that Oley feed sells them too but they were taking orders a while ago.

It's not even chick time yet, i still have to get my brooder. I'll ride up and see what they have. I'm due for feed, as well.

Base for the new chicken coop is done. Now to build the walls.