Livestock

[NorthernWoody]

Very excited - one of my ducks has finally laid an egg today! This is good news as we now know that at least one of them is female! The chickens are going through a bit of a 'I will lay an egg when I can be bothered - but keep feeding me delicious corn' phase.

I actually had to BUY some eggs the other week, which I haven't had to do since 2010!

We have pigs, but they don't actually belong to us - they just come along for a bit of organic pampering before going off on their 'permanent' holidays. We have the odd one for ourselves but have to pay for it, it's slaughter and butchering (maybe a skill for me to learn?), but I actually do quite fancy having some sheep in lamb to myself this year. Perhaps get a sheep club going with some friends.

Interested to know if anyone else on here keeps livestock.

[Cocotte]

Have you considered rabbits? They have one of the highest yields of meat both for energy consumption and for land usage + fast reproduction rates. Any veggie scraps are food as well as grass/wild flowers.
Also their pelts make wonderful blankets/throws when stitched together (I'm no seamstress more a lumbering neanderthal, so no winter gloves).

[The-Great-Nothing]

Hi

I have a few chickens that i keep for eggs.

I have heard somewhere that it is better to keep them on a layer pellet than just corn if you want reliable egg laying. Not sure if this is similar for ducks, but might be worth a switch from corn to a duck layers pellet (if there is such a thing).

I quite fancy some ducks for eggs (and amusement)

I am also thinking about getting some quail in the spring, as they are meant to be great layers and then a fine meat bird (and very productive at both).

Anyone raised quail?

Cheers

Matt

[mole hill]

We've got a few chicken, and pigs, did have ducks and sheep but they're in the freezer now Keeping sheep seems to be hard work with sheering,dipping,worming and foot problems, so this year we're going to buy some lambs in and take them straight to slaughter.

[modernwisewoman]

We have 4 chickens. 3 were bought at point of lay in November they have all started to lay.The older one has not restarted yet. How old are your chickens? Remember they need to have a certain amount of daylight to be able to lay. I wish they could write their names on the eggs so I could be sure who is not laying.

[redskies]

If you're getting ducks for meat, I'd recommend Muscovies; you get a better quality, less fatty meat from them.

My problem just now is land and idiots. We live in an HA house, it's got virtually no garden, although they own a big plot of unused land just at the back. They're the idiots; not allowed chickens, not allowed this, not allowed that. I'm locked in mortal combat with them over it, and I'm winning. Then it's time for a pig (to clear the land, then feed us) some chickens and some bees, as well as a HUGE veg patch

[moocher]

[quote="The-Great-Nothing"]Hi

I have a few chickens that i keep for eggs.

I have heard somewhere that it is better to keep them on a layer pellet than just corn if you want reliable egg laying. Not sure if this is similar for ducks, but might be worth a switch from corn to a duck layers pellet (if there is such a thing).

I quite fancy some ducks for eggs (and amusement)

I am also thinking about getting some quail in the spring, as they are meant to be great layers and then a fine meat bird (and very productive at both).

Anyone raised quail?

Cheers

quail need alot of space for the size of the bird,or they start attacking each other.and roughly 3 hens to 1 male.
i lasted less than 6 months with mine,the females attacked each other and the males,and the males attacked each other and tried bonking the females to death.
theres not much meat on them,you need roughly 2 per person.
they are also nervy as hell.

[Brambles]

Hi

I have a few chickens that i keep for eggs.

I have heard somewhere that it is better to keep them on a layer pellet than just corn if you want reliable egg laying. Not sure if this is similar for ducks, but might be worth a switch from corn to a duck layers pellet (if there is such a thing).

I quite fancy some ducks for eggs (and amusement)

I am also thinking about getting some quail in the spring, as they are meant to be great layers and then a fine meat bird (and very productive at both).

Anyone raised quail?

Cheers

quail need alot of space for the size of the bird,or they start attacking each other.and roughly 3 hens to 1 male.
i lasted less than 6 months with mine,the females attacked each other and the males,and the males attacked each other and tried bonking the females to death.
theres not much meat on them,you need roughly 2 per person.
they are also nervy as hell.

Thanks for that Moocher, I had thought about Quail, but perhaps not. Still want Bees though!

[moocher]

rereading my post it did sound harsh,my wife loves the eggs but i think i would rather pay for a jar of pickled ones in waitrose than keep them lol.
you could probably get away with keeping a trio of hens in a 4ft hutch and get 3 eggs every day,but when they die or are old you would have to buy more in,and they dont really incubate their own eggs,and bantams struggle so you would have to use a incubator so not useful if your thinking shtf scenario.
i would rather have bantams than quail.just my opinion.

[jansman]

I keep poultry(Rangers) for eggs. Come the Spring, I am expanding the flock with some more Light Sussex-agood dual purpose breed. Then there are my Dwarf Netherland rabbits. Good mothers, and good eating. I have kept this strain since my teens. And then the goats. I have two Toggenburg Nannies. I keep them for the milk. My Wife has an intolerance to the fats in cow milk and related dairy products. The Kids I tend to sell on to members of our Asian community.

Stock does take time though. And holidays can be awkward. Things worth considering.