Last Christmas my husband got me something I'd been wanting for a long time, a chicken house and a group of laying hens. This spring I gathered up a bunch of their eggs and hatched them out in an incubator. I hatched out 16 but something got into my chick pen when they were still little and ate 7. It was fenced with heavy wire all the way around, but just chicken wire on top. Probably a coon 'cause it ripped open the chicken wire (lesson learned). So I had 9 left to raise up.

Today was the day to thin out my flock so hubby and I got out there early and got started. The first couple were difficult for me to deal with but it got a little easier as we went along. After it was all said and done I was pretty proud of myself. Everytime I learn a new method of being self sufficient I feel that much more empowered. I also feel good knowing my family is eating food that has been raised in a healthy and humane environment. Just call me pioneer woman. :D

Congratulations. You can be proud of learning to raise good food for your family. Home grown chickens are the best!

That's cool.

That is awesome that you are able to raise your own meat. We are not allowed to have livestock or chickens in my neighborhood but i can grow a garden... just have to have time to do it... I did grow tomatoes this year... only enough to put in the salad but I now know that I can grow food if I have to. :D

Way to go! I'm jealous! I know you're proud.

Good for you. I've only got 2 hens for eggs only, but if I had lots of acreage I'd have some meat birds too.

Oh and this is Rachel getting ready for the "Chicken Huntin'....... :mrgreen:

Billy

great job, I was raised on a farm

Wow, I'm proud of you. I wouldn't know where to start.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! I don't think I could do it, but you have to know you're getting the best chicken available since you raised them yourself. You didn't name them, right? LOL! Enjoy those healthy dinners. Store-bought chickens can be kind of sketchy.