sammyqc
grub
Urban, small raised beds, Zone 5 (Canada)
Posts: 94
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Post by sammyqc on Mar 30, 2009 17:37:37 GMT -5
I think my husband has finally lost his mind ;D ;D
The other day he finally agreed that we should buy a farm. Not a big working farm, but a place where we can have a few horses, garden without space restraints, and I can finally learn just how stinky chickens really are! He insists they are horrid, and if I get any, they are absolutely totally going to be my job.
It's not going to happen tomorrow, but in the next year or so, if we can get our house in shape to sell, and find something that we like. I'm still in shock, I think! And it will be a huge learning curve for us.
I might even want to buy a cow! (Just haven't mentionned that to him yet!)
Any one recommend a good book or two on chickens?
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Post by canadamike on Mar 30, 2009 17:53:47 GMT -5
I am so glad for you my friend. I have a challenge for you: if he thinks chickens are horrid, have him fall in love with a few irresistible ducklings and make them HIS job  He'll soon learn the true meaning of ''horrid'' ;D |
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Post by plantsnobin on Mar 30, 2009 18:51:34 GMT -5
That is wonderful! There is just nothing like having space for all the things you want to do. Good luck in the search for your dream place.
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Post by ottawagardener on Mar 30, 2009 19:25:28 GMT -5
Ooo can I come over!
That sounds fantastic!
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Post by pugs on Mar 30, 2009 20:45:25 GMT -5
Sammy,
You are so lucky. Enjoy it. Enjoy the planning and the anticipation.
Pugs
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Post by Owen on Mar 30, 2009 20:57:38 GMT -5
That's so exciting! We moved to our farm from suburbia two years ago and we haven't regretted it for a second! We now have chickens (for the record, ours don't particularly smell), two goats, a cow and over an acre of garden. Now when I see photos of life in our old 1/6 acre lot I don't know how we ever coped.
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Post by grungy on Mar 30, 2009 21:02:51 GMT -5
Great going and growing, Sammy. Hope you get there sooner.
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mayfinnfarm
gopher
mayfinnfarm *~Bloomin where we're planted!~*
Posts: 20
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Post by mayfinnfarm on Mar 31, 2009 15:11:31 GMT -5
Congrats! and good luck!
I have to agree about the ducklings...ohmygosh, we got 4 and they could not get out of the house soon enough. The 13 chicks smelled like roses next to them. I can't recommend any books, but I do enjoy the Backyard Poultry magazine. I have learned TONS from backyardchickens.com also.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 13, 2009 14:22:46 GMT -5
I've been praying for a farm for YEARS! Even in a city apartment with only a few square feet of dirt I had a garden and a big dream. Now we have 2 acres and every year we do a little more. May I STRONGLY suggest you peruse a copy of Joel Salatin's "You Can Farm"? I am reading it to my husband now and I am amazed at how many things he brings out that I have practiced intuitively. I find it very encouraging!
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Post by sandbar on Apr 13, 2009 19:18:51 GMT -5
... Joel Salatin's "You Can Farm"? ... OK, ya' piqued my interest!  So, tell me more ... Does he use organic methods? Before I buy the book (not available at my local library ... rats), can you tell me a little about the type of crops/livestock he raises/produces on his farm? Do you think his advice is outdated? It was puplished in 1998 ... Anything else you can tell me that will make me pony up $25 for a copy of his book? Many thanks! |
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Post by canadamike on Apr 13, 2009 19:25:52 GMT -5
You'll have fun reading it ;D
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Post by sandbar on Apr 13, 2009 19:42:46 GMT -5
Went on Amazon and was reading some reviews and finally realized that I perused his website sometime last year. The fascinating stories on his website made me wish I was 25 years younger and could go intern for him. Here's his website: www.polyfacefarms.com/Didn't know he had written a book. How far along in it are you? Amazon says 480 pages ... yikes! Michel, have you read his book? |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 16, 2009 20:02:54 GMT -5
It's a must read! The man is indeed organic and very... functional? That's not the word I'm looking for. Mike and I bought our place 3 years ago. It's only 2 acres and Mike is 51 and I'll be 50 in July. We have 2 small sons, 7 & 9. I can't imagine a better life for us. Mr. Salatin's book pretty much states my philosophical attitudes down the line. The big difference is that he has been intensively learning the trade since childhood. I've had farming WAYbackground, and I learned gardening at my grandmother's knee, but farming is another animal all together. Our goal is self sufficiency and I believe (at this point) that we will start implementing his models for pastured poultry and rabbits as soon as possible. IF we can get use of some the the land adjacent to our property, we will try to get 3 or 4 beeves as well.
Ever hear of "silvopasture agroforestry"? Salatin has the jist of the process down to a science. When he talks about what folks need as opposed to what they want, well, it makes me want to imbed his book into my 28 year olds head (but that's another story all together).
He talks about models for failure and he talks about models for success and he's straightforward, no nonsense. I like that. I like it a lot. To many people are way to stupid these days and they prove it when they glare at you for saying such a word as "stupid". OK... ::pant pant:: Time to back away from the soap box I use to mount my high horsie.
Buy a used copy of his book if you can find it. He would approve of the frugality!
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Post by castanea on Apr 19, 2009 22:39:42 GMT -5
I think my husband has finally lost his mind ;D ;D The other day he finally agreed that we should buy a farm. Not a big working farm, but a place where we can have a few horses, garden without space restraints, and I can finally learn just how stinky chickens really are! He insists they are horrid, and if I get any, they are absolutely totally going to be my job. It's not going to happen tomorrow, but in the next year or so, if we can get our house in shape to sell, and find something that we like. I'm still in shock, I think! And it will be a huge learning curve for us. I might even want to buy a cow! (Just haven't mentionned that to him yet!) Any one recommend a good book or two on chickens? Congratulations ! |
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So, tell me more ...