I retired from the US Navy in 2001. At that time, I got active on Greasespot Cafe. I have since moved out into the woods of Maine, and re-invented myself as an off-grid organic farmer. This spring I celebrated 20 years of retirement. This summer I reached the age of eligibility for Social Security benefits.
We attended twigs from the 1970s up until 2016. When we finally made a complete break from them.
Galen, you are living my dream of dreams.. I would move off to the woods, grow tomatos and raise chickens in a heartbeat. Run the radios and such from solar panels..
Welcome back. I've had trouble with one of my knees for close to a year and a half. Got two grandkids, one of each. Best thing about this life is grandchildren, IMO.
Good to see your virtual face! I recently started posting again after sporadic absences. My 20 year anniversary of getting kicked out of TWI recently passed & I'm gearing up for the 20 year anniversary of my ex-wife kicking me out
Good to see your virtual face! I recently started posting again after sporadic absences. My 20 year anniversary of getting kicked out of TWI recently passed & I'm gearing up for the 20 year anniversary of my ex-wife kicking me out
It's 24 and 11 for me. Okay with the first, still sad about the second.
Galen, you are living my dream of dreams.. I would move off to the woods, grow tomatos and raise chickens in a heartbeat. Run the radios and such from solar panels..
Maybe you should.
Maine is over 92% forest, with many rivers. We bought two woodlots, one parcel with a small bit of peat bog on it for $350 an acre and the other parcel has a quarter-mile of river frontage for $770 an acre. For a total of 150 acres of land. We heat our home with firewood, and we have a solar power system for our home and recently got a hybrid car that recharges from our solar system. Property taxes are pretty low [$1.05 per acre].
To each project there is a learning curve, that learning curve pushed us in the direction of doing 12-week meat birds, then they go to freezer camp. For 12-weeks each year we maintain chickens, and that gives us enough chicken to eat for a year.
Since we live in dense forest, the predators are fierce. We have tried many times to allow chickens to free-range, but those efforts have never been successful. We can keep poultry inside coops just fine, but if they get out, it attracts predators and once that happens the predators hit so hard that they dig tunnels under the coops, they chew holes through the chicken wire to gain access into the coops, and they become relentless until after all chickens have been eaten. It is less work to just raise chickens for a short period of time and send them to the freezers.
Heya Ham ! Im in Australia and in my late '50's..hear ya about the body starting to get the odd niggles and creaks lol. I've just thrown in my job and about to start a 'not for profit' establishing a home for young and older men and women who may have mental or physical challenges (or both) and who may be living with ageing parents who worry about what will happen to them once the parents pass away. Something that I really, truly believe God has put big time on my heart. I know it will be a huge challenge but IF it really was God, I'm convinced He's got it ! I guess it's also my shot at leaving behind some type of noble legacy in my lifetime.
To each project there is a learning curve, that learning curve pushed us in the direction of doing 12-week meat birds, then they go to freezer camp. For 12-weeks each year we maintain chickens, and that gives us enough chicken to eat for a year.
Since we live in dense forest, the predators are fierce. We have tried many times to allow chickens to free-range, but those efforts have never been successful. We can keep poultry inside coops just fine, but if they get out, it attracts predators and once that happens the predators hit so hard that they dig tunnels under the coops, they chew holes through the chicken wire to gain access into the coops, and they become relentless until after all chickens have been eaten. It is less work to just raise chickens for a short period of time and send them to the freezers.
We have done much better raising pigs.
I would free range the chickens in the day and lock them up at night. Hens of course. Fresh eggs are nice. Plus they tend to hunt ticks to practical extinction..
Heya Ham ! Im in Australia and in my late '50's..hear ya about the body starting to get the odd niggles and creaks lol. I've just thrown in my job and about to start a 'not for profit' establishing a home for young and older men and women who may have mental or physical challenges (or both) and who may be living with ageing parents who worry about what will happen to them once the parents pass away. Something that I really, truly believe God has put big time on my heart. I know it will be a huge challenge but IF it really was God, I'm convinced He's got it ! I guess it's also my shot at leaving behind some type of noble legacy in my lifetime.
Good deal Allan. I think God sent me back to school to help kids learn math. The degree opened the door. I will keep instructing classes as long as they will have me.
I would free range the chickens in the day and lock them up at night. Hens of course. Fresh eggs are nice. Plus they tend to hunt ticks to practical extinction..
and within a week they are all gone.
We have tried multiple times, we tried it over and over, year after year. Obviously you do not believe me, but I am telling you the truth.
I believe.. my daughter lost a few. They reinforced the pen and the hens have been safe over the summer. Your venue probably has a few more predators..
Recommended Posts
Galen
I am still around.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ham
Thanks for the reply Galen.. so what's new? Nice to see you here friend.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Galen
I retired from the US Navy in 2001. At that time, I got active on Greasespot Cafe. I have since moved out into the woods of Maine, and re-invented myself as an off-grid organic farmer. This spring I celebrated 20 years of retirement. This summer I reached the age of eligibility for Social Security benefits.
We attended twigs from the 1970s up until 2016. When we finally made a complete break from them.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
OldSkool
Evening, Im about to hit the sack...old I guess. I'll hit you up soon. Hope all is well.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ham
Galen, you are living my dream of dreams.. I would move off to the woods, grow tomatos and raise chickens in a heartbeat. Run the radios and such from solar panels..
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rocky
Welcome back.
I've had trouble with one of my knees for close to a year and a half. Got two grandkids, one of each. Best thing about this life is grandchildren, IMO.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
T-Bone
Hi Atus - - uhm... I mean Hi Ham !!!!
It's good to see you posting again - - sounds like you're doing okay - well, I am too.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Oakspear
Good to see your virtual face! I recently started posting again after sporadic absences. My 20 year anniversary of getting kicked out of TWI recently passed & I'm gearing up for the 20 year anniversary of my ex-wife kicking me out
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GeorgeStGeorge
It's 24 and 11 for me. Okay with the first, still sad about the second.
George
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Galen
Maybe you should.
Maine is over 92% forest, with many rivers. We bought two woodlots, one parcel with a small bit of peat bog on it for $350 an acre and the other parcel has a quarter-mile of river frontage for $770 an acre. For a total of 150 acres of land. We heat our home with firewood, and we have a solar power system for our home and recently got a hybrid car that recharges from our solar system. Property taxes are pretty low [$1.05 per acre].
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ham
Good For You. All I run at the moment from Solar are the radios and the lights. Do you have chickens?
Edited by HamLink to comment
Share on other sites
Galen
We have had chickens.
To each project there is a learning curve, that learning curve pushed us in the direction of doing 12-week meat birds, then they go to freezer camp. For 12-weeks each year we maintain chickens, and that gives us enough chicken to eat for a year.
Since we live in dense forest, the predators are fierce. We have tried many times to allow chickens to free-range, but those efforts have never been successful. We can keep poultry inside coops just fine, but if they get out, it attracts predators and once that happens the predators hit so hard that they dig tunnels under the coops, they chew holes through the chicken wire to gain access into the coops, and they become relentless until after all chickens have been eaten. It is less work to just raise chickens for a short period of time and send them to the freezers.
We have done much better raising pigs.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Allan
Heya Ham ! Im in Australia and in my late '50's..hear ya about the body starting to get the odd niggles and creaks lol. I've just thrown in my job and about to start a 'not for profit' establishing a home for young and older men and women who may have mental or physical challenges (or both) and who may be living with ageing parents who worry about what will happen to them once the parents pass away. Something that I really, truly believe God has put big time on my heart. I know it will be a huge challenge but IF it really was God, I'm convinced He's got it ! I guess it's also my shot at leaving behind some type of noble legacy in my lifetime.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ham
I would free range the chickens in the day and lock them up at night. Hens of course. Fresh eggs are nice. Plus they tend to hunt ticks to practical extinction..
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ham
Good deal Allan. I think God sent me back to school to help kids learn math. The degree opened the door. I will keep instructing classes as long as they will have me.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Galen
and within a week they are all gone.
We have tried multiple times, we tried it over and over, year after year. Obviously you do not believe me, but I am telling you the truth.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ham
I believe.. my daughter lost a few. They reinforced the pen and the hens have been safe over the summer. Your venue probably has a few more predators..
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.