The FUTURE of Chickens on our Farm!

[@Willafarmandmercantile]

If we have learned anything yet, it’s that you constantly have to come back together and see what is working for your family and what needs to be removed or tweaked. Keep praying through it y’all 💕

[@peaceofearth]

Thats a great price on feed... We pay $26/50lb bag from the local mill (organic). We so appreciate following along with you all and hearing your thoughts and plans! ❤

[@brendahoffer5534]

I’m not butchering my older hens, they have provided for my family quite well, so we are just going to add a handful here and there to make up the slack. We also have 14 barred rocks for a dual purpose breed, now 6 months old, great layers! If we can’t get Cornish Cross next year then we have a way to raise our own meat birds although they aren’t as conservative feed conversion wise.

[@YouCanFarm]

We are making similar decisions here on our farm. I am also looking forward to scaling back down to a homestead level and focusing more on feeding us instead of making a (slim) profit.

[@mijitaarmijo2490]

Same for us here. 😅

[@jimmyponds5504]

I can understand about the feed cost(s). For my layers, I feed 22% protein layer pellets ($17.75/bag). The sex-link hens are advertised as "excellent" layers for about 2 years, maybe a little more. I have found my 2 y/o sex-links are excellent layers but I suppose their production does go down afterwards. I have the Bielefelder breed and I need to raise a few pullets. I have two Bielefelder pullets/two roosters in the brooder, so it's a slow process!! ha

[@MichaelHerringValdosta]

You have to do what you have to do. Keep at it! love your channel.

[@KCFarms]

Thanks Michael

[@jamiemccook5882]

Im on the same page as you, but I am doing American Bresse and Le Grand I’m doing pure of each also… I’ll have two or three breeding pens each and I’m doing a cross trying to create my own line I plan on the LeGrand adding more meat with faster growth going to have 2 breeding pens of the crosses also…wish yall the best Brother

[@KCFarms]

Thanks for sharing

[@mijitaarmijo2490]

We had a ruff year as well, totally burned out butchering meat chickens!!! Next year we plan on just butchering for us. 😅

[@doityourselflivinggardenin7986]

Anyone that has raised animals eventually runs the numbers, hopefully before they run out of money. Unless you have a dedicated commercial operation, a good reliable source of inexpensive food, and reliable steady access to the market, you simply cannot make money. Furthermore, even with a homestead set of animals, you will pay a premium for your meat and eggs, regardless if they are dual purpose. I've seen the scale-back happen with many homesteaders. With that being said, eventually we find a number that we find acceptable for quality healthy meat and eggs, while still enjoying the animals. I'm a chicken breeder from way back. I developed an extremely fancy breed of large chicken. (now discontinued ) Think bearded D'Uccles the size of a Langshan. I put a ton of money and time into them. Nobody wanted to pay more than $2 for them. Lesson learned. I'm now developing a different breed for homesteaders. It will be a dual purpose breed that is better than anything on the market, but it will also be hardy and pretty. If it isn't pretty, then what's the point? (for me, anyways) The flock is at F3 and needs at least 3 more generations before it is where they need to be. I've made it unnecessarily difficult on myself by making color and type one of the factors, but in the end I will enjoy going out to work the chickens, seeing how pretty they are. With existing breeds of chickens that are supposed to be dual purpose, you may again be disappointed. They are not good at either. It is very difficult to genetically engineer those two traits together into one bird. Tho, I'll give it a good try with my newest endeavor. It would be great if there were others doing a similar project so genes could be shared and stay mixed enough to stay sway from inbreeding depression. I have a plan to thwart that, but it remains to be seen if it will work. I will know at F5. All the best with your homesteading adventures.

[@KCFarms]

Thanks for following along and sharing your years of experience with us!

[@Carycares1817]

Yall sound releived for less chickens. Seems like other farmers i watch making same decision. Enjoy always ❤

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

Nooice! 😎 STOC

[@shannonhudson8625]

My theory is make it enjoyable, stress is not enjoyable. Stress isn’t a paycheck!!

[@kenduke5919]

use the duckweed to supplement feed

[@PerspectiveDesignCo]

It’s gotta feel good to lower your numbers of chickens where you can just enjoy them again. Not have the pressure of making a profit.

[@KCFarms]

Definitely looking forward to enjoying them more

[@frogorf1]

I raised Australorps for a number of years. Fantastic hearty hens, but like ALL egg laying hens.., Production will decrease if they don't have supplemental lighting in winter. It's a biological thing. I did however trade my Australorps for Buff Brahmas. Bigger dual bird. Almost identical in personality and production. Difference for me is the brahmas have a different type comb. Better for my climate. less chance of frostbite.

[@JesusNameHomeMinistries]

I love my Black australorps.

[@KCFarms]

Looking forward to raising ours

[@charlesperry1051]

I would like to raise enough chickens just for our use. BUT, I can't justify the cost of a plucker. That would mean hand plucking the chickens. That is a lot of work. My thought is that I would raise around 50 total, probably in 2 or 3 batches. That would be enough chicken to pretty much supply us for a year.

[@KCFarms]

Pluckers are a lot but sometimes you can find them on sale and they are worth their weight in gold especially if you plan on doing it every year

[@TT-_-]

Birds can also be skinned! Coturnix japonica quail are usually skinned rather than plucked. I plucked 1 out of a few dozen I raised for my cat, not worth it even for a cat-food-grade half-assed result😂 Skinning is way easier. Though meat chickens have less and easier to pluck feathers.

[@frogorf1]

I'm not sure about your area but there are people around here, (Alberta Canada.) that will rent their chicken plucker. Another thought, Find some like minded folk and purchase a plucker together? Draw straws each year to mediate order of use?

[@williamblake7386]

What do you guys think about Idaho Pasture Pigs? More meat than Kunekunes and your kids are big enough not to be eaten by the big pigs.

[@KCFarms]

We have heard of them doubt we’ll ever try them we enjoy the Kunes way to much to change

[@cwomo9147]

Now run the numbers on the pigs and I. Think you'll be very surprised We figured on the pig that we butchered at 18 months. The meat cost at about $200 a pound... I don't have pigs anymore. You have the advantage of registered pigs, mine weren't so I was practically giving the piglets away ranging from $100 to $250 each.... I lost a ton of money

[@KCFarms]

We have run the numbers on pigs a few videos ago. Not great😂. Still love the pigs I think we will do better selling halves and wholes. We shall see

[@jerex112]

makes me want to get rid of my chickens lol

[@KCFarms]

Nah don’t get rid of them. It’s just hard to make it a full time income.

[@curtcarlson83]

You're going to find out those kune pigs aren't worth it either

[@lanebyron4097]

Romans 8:28 "It will work to the good" you Love Him and are called by His name.

[@joaquinsoto5040]

im sure they're eating the eggs unfortunately

[@stevebutler1835]

I don't blame you at all cutting back I've been stressed out myself with trying to keep up with people coming and getting eggs to where I have thought about taking down the sign and getting rid of my ducks and most my chickens as well I had and older woman stop and basically told me to remove the sign cus she is gonna take all my eggs and to me that was just disrespectful to me and my other long time customers