For most of the US this cold blast will be the last and it will be time to start getting our hands dirty. I have a 12 acre farm that fully supports my family and leaves plenty left over for storage and the future. While I'm biased a bit, I think it's time to bring back victory gardens.
Get out there, dig in the dirt, and plant some seeds.
Feel free to ask advice here!
In addition to gardening, I'm going to build a small chicken coop this summer (between tilling and planting the large garden, it will take me a while to make the coop as I'm not an experienced carpenter, but I have the tools and a good book and spare wood, so I'm gonna go for it) so I can order chicks next spring. I wanted to get chicks this spring, but I have to be realistic about how long it will take me to build the coop.
Built mine two years ago. My hens are done molting and they know spring is peeking around the corner. Egg production is up to 7 a day. I average around 15 a day when they are in full egg laying mode. I have 17 including one rooster. Be patient, remember it’s a chicken coop not a house, it doesn’t have to be perfect. I’m on 10 acres and surrounded by woods. Predator proofing is the most Important thing. Use hardware cloth, not chicken wire. Chicken wire will keep the chickens in but don’t keep predators out. Good luck to you and yours!
Edit: Also, prepare a set up to brood the chicks. They can’t go straight to the coop. I used an old metal dog kennel and lined the sides with cardboard and kept paper towels on the bottom for easy clean up. Throw a large blanket on top to make them sleep. It’s a bit of work up front but more than worth it.
Yes, my coop plans include hardware cloth, and I intend to put together a chick nursery. We live in a small town, and regulations require that they be contained, although I kept free-range hens in Mexico when I lived there a few years ago. I intend to build a nice big pen for them in the backyard, which is nowhere near 10 acres, just a large rural backyard. It's best for them, really, because we have a lot of hawks out here in the Wasatch Mountains. I intend to make the pen somewhat mobile that I can move it around the yard as needed. Thanks for the tips and support!
Oh, quick question, if you please...Would you recommend a heat lamp, for the chick nursery?