Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Harvey Ussery <huboxwood@earthlink.net>]

> We've always bought hatchery chicks up to now, but I want to start trying to 
> hatch my own with silkies and cochins. . .  I still don't have my "broody
> hen," but she gave me a silkie that is nearly grown, along with Welsummers, 
> Barred Rocks, one that looks like a Barred Rock but I don't recall it's 
> name, and she hatched some RIR's and White Pekin ducks from eggs I gave her 
> too. So now I have about 30 chicks of various sorts, NONE from a hatchery. ~Gwen

With all the NAIS BS and avian influenza hysteria, I've decided to 
become a closed flock ASAP. I'm already there with regard to the 
chickens and guineas--this is the second year I haven't bought in any 
outside stock, have hatched all my own. I hope by next breeding season 
to be equally independent with regard to ducks and geese.

The key for me is broody mamas--I never use artificial incubators.

Gwen, that silkie is a sure-fire broody for you. The cochins should also 
give you a high percentage of hens who retain the instinct.

The other breed that looks like a Barred Rock could be a Dominique (if 
rose combed) or Cuckoo Marans (if single combed). I breed CM's--they're 
a great breed.

~Harvey

--
Harvey in northern Va
www.themodernhomestead.us