Hello from East Texas!

[Farmpsych]

Hello all!

I have a small place (little under 10 acres) that one of my best friends and I are working to build up into a producing farm. Last year was a first attempt at a garden (more successful than we were prepared for) and chickens (learned that housing needs to be VERY secure before trying this again). We are perusing through the catalogs, and getting ready to expand the garden, and preparing better housing for the next attempt at chickens.

We also have several horses that my friend has trained/is training, with an eye toward breeding in the next few years. This is her area of specialization though, and not mine. I am looking at possibly a couple of hives of bees, and a variety of poultry. I have been strongly considering raising the turkeys for the family for next thanksgiving, if I can get the housing built in time to get them grown. Suggestions are always appreciated! I have been enjoying the forums, and gleaning quite a bit from the wisdom of others. Hopefully at some point I will have some knowledge to share.

[Westexas]

Welcome, Farmpsych! Know what you mean about the chickens. After adding the wire to the bottom of the chicken tractor (for the skunks), we are enclosing it with a 10x30 dog kennel with wire and shade cloth over the top (for the hawks, raccoons, and bobcats, as well as the coyotes, of course!). Everybody likes chicken, it seems!

[Farmpsych]

The dog kennel sounds like a good idea. I may steal it from you. My neighbor just killed a bobcat, so hopefully it will be a little while before another one claims the territory.

[palm farmer]

I know what 2013 was the year of snake for the Chinese zodiac, but down here it was the year of the opossum for us, easily killed over a hundred of the little buggers

[andyd2023]

Welcome to the board Farmpsych:

Originally Posted by Farmpsych

..... My neighbor just killed a bobcat, so hopefully it will be a little while before another one claims the territory.

Hate to tell you but, sometimes it seems like the bobcats and Wild hogs are lined up waiting.
We have a cougar that wanders thru sometimes and the coyotes have a regular route as thet are here about every three days or so.
Life in North East Texas....LOL
Andrew