The BIG chicken project …
Ten day-old chicks, three young promising up-and-coming farmers (10 year-old boys), three encouraging parents and one aim… to make money. So started the OMC farming company with great plans. After considering various options they settled on an enterprise that sounded fun, do-able and profitable – broiler chickens. Growing chickens for their meat and selling the slaughtered product to individuals through their networks around the village.
So, a trip down to the pet shop and ten little souls were hand selected (yes that one! – no, no, the other one) and bought. Along with the heater lamp, water and feed dispensers and sawdust. As a starter hand-out, I decided to put my faith and hard-earned money into OMC farming and back the boys. They were transported back to the farm, all huddled in their cardboard box (and almost cuddled to death in the process)
Chicks, until they grow their feathers and can regulate their temperature, need constant monitoring and must be kept warm and dry with free access to fresh water and food. The problem is that the constant chirping, developing stench of ammonia and the fascination our other animals have for these delectable chirping treats, is a permanent challenge. So out they went into the toy shed with a heat lamp as constant company. All went well for the first week until … Cindy went on leave …
Cindy is a constant presence in our backyard farmyard and our executive house keeper (a true keeper of the home). Making sure all the animals are cared for, have all they need, are comfortable and moved in and out to enjoy the fresh air and natural surroundings as the weather permits. Her absence, along with a week of drizzly cold miserable weather, spelt disaster for OMC. Chicks bunch together when cold, suffocating and trampling each other, generally, a bit aggressive for such angelic looking animals.
So, with Cindy gone I was now the AIC (adult in charge) but I dropped the ball. I discovered that the toy shed was actually quite drafty and the door did not seal perfectly and needed jiggling and jamming. A week of housework (on a muddy farm with dogs that are allowed inside), school runs (with busy afternoon sport schedules – the same 10 year old), end of year functions (with all the frivolity and over indulgence that goes with them) and the incessant administration that comes with running an SME (month end !) was not the week I wanted to be without Cindy.
The result of the week was 7 souls handed onto O (the O in the OMC Farm Company). He is going to run with the next stage of the chicken’s life, until they reach maturity and slaughter weight.
Good Luck Ollie and farming crew, and Good Luck OMC …
Yours in farming
pinkfarmchick
Pink Farm Chick 