Rainy Day Research

Today has been a gross, gross day! So that meant lots of time to sit and research chickens, chickens, and more chickens! I have narrowed it down to well...7 breeds that I want to try out! I have been trying to look for ones that are more on the calm side and kid friendly since the kiddos are old enough to help clean their coop and collect eggs...don't need aggressive ones scaring them of that chore! So far I have decided I want to try Barred Plymouth rocks, buff orpington, salmon faverolles, blue ameraucana, easter eggers, cochins blue, and black australorp...some of those will lay brown eggs, some will lay blue eggs, and the easter egger will lay multi colored eggs:) Now I don't know that will get all of those to start with, was just saying those are ones I want to look more into and go from there. We have decided we want to start with only egg laying chickens, not raise for meat just yet. Haven't decided if we are going to order chicks or buy local....nice thing about ordering is we can be sure they are female or male :)

I really would like goats, but only because they are stinkin' cute! Although they eat everything...so those may have to wait...I say that now but when I go to flock swap and auctions I imagine I'll change my mind rather fast! I don't think any of us have ever tried goat milk though so not sure what exactly we will use them for other then a pet haha...if we want to get our own milk I have heard Jersey cows are good to start out with..I haven't done too much research just yet there though so maybe there is a better route, we shall see!

Ella has requested a piglet...which is another thing I haven't looked too much into yet...

Oh! One other thing, rabbits! And the husband wants bees. :) See our ideas are coming along...

We will be planting some fruits, veggies, and herbs...Which we start when the husband gets back home. He is much better at that part then I am, I can keep animals and kids alive a lot better then plants...I'm working on that...

I imagine I'm getting ahead of myself here since we don't close on the new house until Feb...and have some work to do out there...and lets not forget we need to move in as well :p 

I think between friends who have been there, done that and books (and lets not forget pinterest!)we will have a good first year in the new home, and learn from our experiences to make it better year after year!