Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens - A Review

This post was scheduled to publish while we are without internet access. For that reason we cannot allow comments.

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, by Gail Damerow, could be compared to an encyclopedia for raising chickens.

One disclaimer before I begin: This book mentions evolution on every other page! It really irritated me! If you want your children to read this book (as mine have begged to do), prepare them for what they will find.

While old-timers say that chickens are the easiest creature to care for, I still wanted to read more about it. I wanted to know more about when they start laying, why they stop laying periodically, which birds are most aggressive (so I can avoid them), which birds are friendliest to children, etc. Some people I know in real life mock my desire to learn and read books on seemingly simple topics, but I love to learn! And, the same man who laughs at me for reading a book on chickens scratches his head every summer and fall wondering why he isn't getting any eggs.

Other helpful info in the book:
- who ate my chickens? A very thorough description of who stole your chickens and eggs based on what was left over at the scene of the crime. (yuck!)
- what kind of coop to make
- how to make the coop varmint proof
- what to feed all ages of chickens (and how to mix your own)
- how to butcher
- how to identify, treat, cure, prevent disease

There was so much information in this book that I am short for words to describe it. The book was SO thorough and practical that I plan to check out every book in the Storey's Guide series! I can't wait to read about goats! And, Rebecca wants to check out the book about horses. I think these books would be a great addition to the family library as well! There was a lot of content that I skimmed through for now, but I will want to read later, when my flock is well established.

So - which came first, the chicken or the egg? The Bible teaches us in Genesis 1:20-23 that God created birds on Day Five. They flew in the air from their first moment of creation. Without a doubt they have changed over time. But, in the beginning GOD created birds!

An Update on the Children's Spiritual Condition

This post was scheduled to publish while we are without internet access. For that reason we cannot allow comments.


Nelson - Just as in every update, he still says that he is not a Christian. He knows the Gospel in his head, but it is not at all in his heart. And, he has no desire to change. We are praying that God would move on him soon!

Lydia - She has been praying every day for months that God would make her a Christian. She asks God to make her less naughty. And, she asks Him to help her quit sinning in very specific ways. GOD IS MOVING on her heart! She too knows the Gospel, and she is started to ingest it! Praise the Lord!!!

October Family Pictures

This post was scheduled to be posted while we are without internet access. For that reason we will not be allowing comments.

Here are some pictures that we took on Sunday. I will warn you in advance that Nelson was acting a little bit like Calvin (the naughty cartoon character, not the theologian.) Part of his punishment is that I am posting the pictures anyway. They are not professional looking, but they do look like us. (Except that I can't find my glasses anywhere. So, I look a little different.)

What is Traditional?

Reposted 09-26-2011

Do you ever get confused by terminology?

Why is modern medicine called "traditional" when it is so new and unproven? And, why are the healing practices that have been proven for a few thousand years called "alternative," when they are truly the traditional standard of operation?

Moving Plans

Lord willing, we will be moving on Tuesday, October 12th!

You will not be able to reach me on our current land line after that date. 

And, we do not yet have plans for reconnecting internet at our new home. 

I'll keep y'all posted!

House Pics

I am posting these pictures mainly for my family. They want to know that we have found something better than what we are in now. I am certain these will pass inspection.

 Living Room, looking into the front yard.

 Dining Area and Kitchen.

 Funny little boy - dining area.

 Looking down the hallway.

 Girls Room.

 Boys' Room.

Our Room.

Back Deck.

I also wanted to tell you all that we met our home schooling neighbors tonight! The daughter (age 14), told me right away that they had been praying for homeschooling neighbors! And, we met the dad of that family. He and Paul talked for a while. There family has chickens, turkeys, and many aspirations to raise more animals. I think we will get along well!

The house

A little bit about our new house (pics to come later):

We are moving into the one I told you about the other day, in the post This May Be the One. It has three bedrooms and a "bonus room" in the basement. The boys and girls will finally have separate rooms!!! We will store our homeschool stuff in the basement, but likely do school around the dining room table. We will have a dining room! We can put a leaf in our table and actually fit around it!

There is an acre and a half to two acres. One former tenant had a goat pen. We also have a large garden plot. The landlord has given us permission to put up a fence (6 foot stakes and wire), to keep the dog and children contained. We have two neighboring houses - one of which is a homeschooling family. (We haven't met them yet. They might be weirdos. What's that? I'm a weirdo? Well then, we ought to get along just fine.) We hope to get chickens in the Spring. The house is mold free and in a safe location. And, best as I can tell, there are no snakes in the walls. The house has central heat (and air conditioning, should we want to turn it on)! And the house even has insulation! Two last words on this topic - vaulted. ceilings.

My kids are VERY happy! Rebecca was praying specifically that we would get this house. The girls danced and jumped around last night out of joy over having their own room.

Things we heard the kids saying last night, that made it sound like we just arrived in the big city off of the turnip truck.

"Wow! I'm gonna have a closet!"
"OH, we are going to have a closet for coats with hangers instead of hooks!"
"I will be able to change clothes in my own room!"

We are all very excited!

WE HAVE A HOUSE!!!

(Reposted 5-8-2013: This is a fond memory. I do not remember why it had been reverted to a draft???)

It's official! 

We are moving to Tiger Town. 

We will be moving very soon!

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!