'The Rural Life, Small-Town' thread (Raleigh, Welcome: new home, move, food)

[Nims]

thanks for the heads-up. Oh, my poor little chickens-to-be, so many threats!

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by Nims

thanks for the heads-up. Oh, my poor little chickens-to-be, so many threats!

When fall time arrives maybe you can enter your chicken in a county or state fair.

Looks like this one just left the hairdresser.. hehe
ONe of the chckens in the Chicken House at the State Far.

[CMDallas]

Originally Posted by Mikey_NC

..shucks, y'all are just saying that cause it's true.

Does the message under your ID refer to The Blue Ridge Mountains

I actually think, since life is slower in the 'country' we tend to be politer and happier. IF most people have an affiliation with the country on this thread then logically it would mean we're politer.
I prefer the big city, but I like the country too. I grew in the city, but I go out into the country every week or so.

[Macrina]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

Dont let information scare you or anyone else, you sort of learn how to adapt with each of those issues so you can coexist.

Great thing for dealing with some bugs, and rodents is owning a cat.
If you have chickens then you run risk of snakes and foxes.
Hurricanes you become aware of what is around you and prepare accordingly.
Try to avoid state flood plains and FEMA flood plains.

Just FYI....Have you heard of the Weather Underground? Welcome to The Weather Underground : Weather Underground IMHO, this is a great weather site; and is one of the highest rated, esp. for hurricane info and reporting. The owner of the site, Dr Jeff Masters, was a Hurricane Hunter earlier on in his career.

The site is free, but for a paltry $10 membership fee, you don't have to look at ads! Check it out Plus there are lots of other benefits.**

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

Dont let information scare you or anyone else, you sort of learn how to adapt with each of those issues so you can coexist.

Great thing for dealing with some bugs, and rodents is owning a cat.
If you have chickens then you run risk of snakes and foxes.
Hurricanes you become aware of what is around you and prepare accordingly.
Try to avoid state flood plains and FEMA flood plains.

Good points:

1. Yep, we have a female Calico and she can smell a field mouse from a long distance. We had the builder check under the house this morning as she smelled a mouse under the house. Turns out there was one trying to get up the satellite television cable hole. She earned herself treats for a week for that.
2. Three of our neighbors own and operate chicken ranches but they are state of the art and they have lots of dogs patrolling around. There was one fox but the hounds got him.
3. Hurricanes are no worse here than other places we have lived. Like you said just be prepared ahead of time and generally they just come and go.
4. Good to check to see if you are in any sort of flood plain before you buy and build. We are not in any of those. If you are in a flood plain the mortgage holder will require added insurance coverage on the home.

We also have lots of barn hawks flying overhead daily and at least 3 dozen barn cats patrolling the neighborhood. I'd hate to be a critter in this neighborhood.

I wouldn't trade living in the country for a life in the city.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by Nims

thanks for the heads-up. Oh, my poor little chickens-to-be, so many threats!

Are you going to raise chickens for the meat, for the eggs or for pets? Rhode Island Reds make great eggs, but I think that Purdue and Tyson have the lock on eatin' chickens...

[Nims]

When we lived in NYS, we raised Golden Rockets (which are a Rhode Island Red cross -- more calm than RIRs. They lay brown eggs. We'd raise them for the eggs (because they don't lay too well after they're butchered!)

We're only going to have about a dozen (plus a rooster if we can find one who isn't mean-tempered.)

My husband also wants to raise guinea hens -- does anyone have any experience with them?

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by Nims

When we lived in NYS, we raised Golden Rockets (which are a Rhode Island Red cross -- more calm than RIRs. They lay brown eggs. We'd raise them for the eggs (because they don't lay too well after they're butchered!)

We're only going to have about a dozen (plus a rooster if we can find one who isn't mean-tempered.)

My husband also wants to raise guinea hens -- does anyone have any experience with them?

try this link..it may be what your husband is looking for:
Raising Guinea Fowl

The author claims you can mix guinea hens with chickens!

[Nims]

Thanks, Mikey_NC -- I've read quite a bit of that website and find it fascinating, so I'll save it for 'later.'

[northcountrygirl]

Ah! Another great thing about living in a rural area......fresh eggs. There is nothing like fresh eggs. You know, the ones that actually have color and taste? And a vegetable garden. There's nothing like having fresh vegatables that you picked right out of your garden just before dinner. There is so much satisfaction in preparing food that you grew in the backyard and you know exactly what's in it.... and on it. lol