Terra Firma Sustainable Farm is a local Richmond , Virginia - base family - run endeavor that specialise in compost and poulet .
“ We ’d always want chickens and about a decade ago at last moved to a heavy 10 - acre property that could accommodate them , ” recallowners Alison and Andrew Larkin , correspond together via email . “ The first we bought was one of those little coop kits that you put together yourself . ”
After beginning with five guinea keets and three rescued hens , the Larkins very apace realized they demand to surmount up and ordered a larger custom - made coop “ with all the bells and whistles . ” Now their interest in chickens and compost has become their living , which they divvy up to the broad humanity via theirInstagramaccount .
We spoke to the Larkins about what volaille are like to be around on a day - to - day basis and their top tips for fowl feed . We also dug into the welfare chickens bestow upon the land .
Learn the right agency to compost your poulet manure .
The Daily Chicken Itinerary
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The Larkins say that raising your own chickens can be “ very demanding”—especially so if you wind up with over 100 birds .
“ We get up before dayspring to put out food and fill their waterers and give up their nest boxes , ” they explain . “ We have three freestanding flocks in different areas of the property in fluid coops , so it ’s a peck of ground to address . ”
Later on in the day , around dawn , the Larkins open up the coop , while mid - good morning herald the first egg - collecting duties . After cleaning the coops , the chicken receive a treat of some mealworms .
“ Before the sun sets , we collect testicle for the last time , ” they say . “ Then we conclude off the nuzzle box seat and give the chickens their last dainty . At crepuscle the coop are close . There are no vacation from this schedule ! ”
Feeding Eggs to Your Chickens!
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When it come to meal times , the Larkins base their poulet ’ dieting around metric grain - based feed .
“ But because they free reach , they deplete lots of bugs , worms , Gunter Grass , plants , weeds and even snakes and mice if they can catch them , ” they add . “ We append with kitchen fighting , dry out mealworms , oatmeal , cum and fodder . During the summertime calendar month , the Larkins ’ chickens also manage to creep in “ more than their fair share ” of the vegetable garden .
“ What most people find strange is that we feed them cooked ballock , ” they supply . “ Any extra , malformed or oddball nut are kept and fed back to the chicken . Scrambled eggs is their favorite dainty ! ”
How Free-Roaming Chickens Can Improve the Land
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The Gallus gallus that the Larkins climb are free - roaming . This institute an abundance of benefits to the repose of their ground .
“ They keep pests in check , they keep grass trimmed , they fertilize and aerate the ground , ” they say . “ Over the winter we kept a plenty in an sphere that will be planted this spring , and they did a outstanding Book of Job of weeding , scratching up the undercoat and fertilize it in preparation for institute ! ”
However , the Larkins also say they make trusted “ not to leave the chickens in one area too long . It can actually obliterate the raw flora and change the ecosystem . It ’s important to strike a balance . ”
Free - grasp chickens are happier , and they lay better testicle , too .
Coming to Terms With the Chicken Life Cycle
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expect what variety of head - up they wish they ’d been give before get to prove chickens , the Larkins say , “ Everyone considering chickens should actualise the end - of - life province . ”
Getting specific , they excuse , “ chicken have a relatively short life duet , and they do n’t often go in their eternal sleep . They will get sick and you have to separate them from the slew to convalesce .
“ rapidly diagnosing unlike wimp wellness problems and administering right upkeep can be a subject of lifespan or death . A lowly infirmary coop is needed where sick Gallus gallus go to recover or die . Sometimes we have to euthanize them — and that is n’t fun . ”
Adding Chickens to Your Own World
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If you ’ve lately been considering adding some chickens to your homestead , the Larkins bless off with these words of creditworthy boost :
“ Know that poulet are a bang-up responsibility and will take a lot of clock time and care . Gallus gallus are not self sufficient like a cat , nor are they loyally adoring like a click . But you will likely fall in love with them like a pet . Their contentment and good wellness will be your happiness . ”
