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| All of my meat birds are heritage breed, Buff Orpingtons. The males get to be about 10 – 11 pounds. |
Urban chickens. They have become such a part of our lives that I really can’t imagine not having them or their fresh eggs right in my backyard. I’m going into my second year of keeping 7 hens for eggs and this is my first year raising 15 birds for meat right in my backyard. My meat birds are about 6 weeks old now and much bigger than what I have pictured above. My husband built me a chicken tractor for the meat birds which I move from one spot of my yard to another every day.
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| Backyard Chicken Tractor |
I could go into detail but I thought it would be easier to show you my backyard setup and birds with a video update. My son Nehemiah helped me film. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions at all about raising backyard urban chickens feel free to comment below 🙂
I am so impressed that you are doing this. The mobile tractor is awesome. Do you process your own chickens? I just went to observe it being done at a farm that takes similar care for the birds.
Hi Belinda 😀 Yes, I will be processing the birds in about another 6 weeks. Since they are a heritage breed, they do take a bit longer to develop. I will also be documenting and sharing the process when that day comes. Thanks for stopping by!!
I envy this!!!! I wish I could have my own chickens and fresh eggs in the morning. I do not think I could keep the chickens in our backyard in FL. It is so hot. What do you think?
Oh sure you can Miranda 😀 I tend to think about all of those old Mexico western movies where there were always chickens running around, lol!! It may be humid but you can find a breed suitable for your climate. Mine would be way too heavy of a breed for your hot weather. Mine are bigger birds and winter hardy. A great place to start is http://www.mypetchicken.com. They have a great listing of birds suitable for each climate. They are way to fun and the kids love em! Starting with 2 or 3 birds would be a cinch! Thanks for watching Miranda 😀
You are such an inspiration to me, Diana. I've long wanted to raise chickens…for eggs and meat…but really I'm very nervous…not sure where to begin. You make it look (fairly) simple. I beg I could get Mexi out there to build me a mobile coop and a roost if I showed him your video. I'm so excited that you shared this, it's definitely making me feel a little more confident in my ability to raise them myself =)
Great video Diana. I love my backyard flock! They are almost 18 weeks old so my children and I eagerly check each morning to see if "today is the day!"
We also just processed meat birds for the first time this year as well. It is quite the experience! Good luck!
http://boulevardfarm.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/urban-chicken-video/
Also, Abby and I will have a chicken plucker by the time our own meat birds are ready for harvest and are planning to de-feather birds for several other chicken keepers in the area – just let one of us know if you're interested!
Dear Diana, please collect an award from my blog.
So cool, Diana! Makes me want chickens of my own too. 🙂
Diana how fun to virtually meet you! It makes such a difference seeing someone speak or hearing their voice when you read the blog. I love that the tractor was built using recycled materials and good on you for not raising Cornish Cross X.
Heart you more than ever!
I just loved this! Your son is adorable. I really need a chicken tractor. What kind of chicken was the one laying the egg?? When we got our last 10 it was a motley crew and we got 3 that look like yours.
I especially liked "meeting you" through the vlog!
Lucky you that you can legally do this! I'd LOVE to be able to waltz out to the back yard to collect my own eggs.
-Elizabeth
So sad I'm not zoned for chickens right now. To my tastes, there are few things better than fresh eggs, really really fresh.
Diana! I loved the video! LOL on the dog! We used to shave our cat in the summer and called it a lion cut! I really want to have chickens..maybe i can convince everyone here for next summer! Thanks for hosting and posting on the two for tuesday recipe blog hop! 🙂 Alex@amoderatelife
I'm impressed. 🙂
Wonderful.
Diana, this is so great! I'm super jealous of your chickens and your yard! We are in a small apartment in the middle of a big city and both my husband and I are chomping at the bit to get out and have even a little bit of space for chickens. It was so fun to see you and your son – thanks for sharing a little piece of your life with us at Two for Tuesdays!
Great video, Diana! Thanks for sharing. You have a beautiful boys and it was so fun to get to see you for the first time – you are gorgeous! ;0) I am so looking forward to the continuing series on processing. My dad used to raise meat chickens and rabbits and harvest/process them so I am familiar with that. It will surely be interesting to see how you do it and will hopefully make me want to start up my own back yard chickens some day.
I love your blog and enjoy it immensely.
I really like this. This is what farming should be.
Audrey