Hi from Darwin

Big_Dave · **Posted:** Sun May 23, 2010 7:16 pm

Hey Guys,

Know a few of you from the BYAP site.
I didnt even know this one was here until I googled Backyard Farming. :bash:

Anyway, I own 5 Acres of Light and Heavily Wooded land (Depends where your standing)

Im into being self sufficient but am unsure as to what extent I will take it.

I currently have:

2 Dogs
1 Turtle and a few native fish - this supplies a small Aquaponics Setup
4 Muscovy Ducks
2 Indian Runner Ducks (Plan on another 6)
4 Isa Brown Hens (about to be eaten and replaced with 6 new ones)
Vegie Patch
Young Fruit Trees
I smoke fish
I Brew my own Beer
I Compost
I own a John Deere :thumb:

The plan is to set up a 2700L Aquaponics System in the next 6 months, I have a heap of other projects including a new exciting Poultry Enclosure, Im going to Grow my own Hops for brewing and I have a house to upgrade.

I'll get a few photos happening soon.

Cheers
Dave

dufflight · **Posted:** Sun May 23, 2010 7:22 pm

Welcome.

Lord Viykor · **Posted:** Sun May 23, 2010 8:59 pm

Hi Dave,

5 acres sounds really cool, your patch sounds great.

Granny Smith · **Posted:** Sun May 23, 2010 9:16 pm

Hello Dave. I'm interested to hear that you will be eating Isa Browns. We haven't had much luck as far as eating goes, perhaps because we let them get too old (about 2 years!). One of our friends actually required a hospital visit after trying to carve one. We do get about 350 eggs from each one per year which is pretty good. I was thinking of getting some Australorps for eating. Do let us know how you go.

Big_Dave · **Posted:** Sun May 23, 2010 11:18 pm

Thanks Guys, after reading your post GS, I dont know if I want to try it now. As far as I know, these Isa's are 5 year old (They came with the property). 2 of them I had planned for dog food as they are looking rather wirey and old but the other 2 are quite plump and look like they would be alright to eat. Maybe they will all end up dog food? At least the staffy's will be happy.

Granny Smith · **Posted:** Sun May 23, 2010 11:49 pm

Hmmm. I certainly wouldn't roast them and if a casserole is your meal of choice I'd slow cook it a long time.

chillidude · **Posted:** Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:44 pm

G'day Dave

Only just got around to reading this thread. I think growing your own hops has a huge cool factor - nice idea.

Where did you get the seeds ? Do you know what sort it is ?

Himzo · **Posted:** Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:04 pm

chillidude wrote:

G'day Dave

Only just got around to reading this thread. I think growing your own hops has a huge cool factor - nice idea.

Where did you get the seeds ? Do you know what sort it is ?

Hey Chillidude,

don't think you can get seeds in Aus, most of them are grown from Rhizomes. They do strike easily from cuttings as well. lots of people digging theirs up and seperating at the moment so you should be able to pick some up, have a look at http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum// ... howforum=8

H.

oldute · **Posted:** Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:14 pm

Big Dave
Knock those isa browns off & let me know what they are like to eat.
Is the meat white or brown?
Is it like a chicken you buy from the supermarket.
I have had 3 isa browns that I bought months ago and I still only get 1 egg every 3 days!
Those free loaders have got to go!!
Tip: Only buy point of lay chickens no matter how old they say they are.
Little Dave

chillidude · **Posted:** Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:35 pm

Thanks Himzo - didn't even know they were a rhizome type plant :crazy:

Himzo · **Posted:** Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:51 am

oldute wrote:

Big Dave
Knock those isa browns off & let me know what they are like to eat.
Is the meat white or brown?
Is it like a chicken you buy from the supermarket.
I have had 3 isa browns that I bought months ago and I still only get 1 egg every 3 days!
Those free loaders have got to go!!
Tip: Only buy point of lay chickens no matter how old they say they are.
Little Dave

Isa browns aren't really good eating, not much meat. The ones you get at the supermarket are more like what BatonRouge Bill is trying to do with his crossing of white rocks and cornish.

H.

Granny Smith · **Posted:** Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:00 pm

The best thing to do with an Isa Brown that you have to kill is to plant something useful on top of where you bury it. They're not worth eating.

earthbound · **Posted:** Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:47 pm

Yeah, not much to an Isa brown, they feel like a super model when you pick them up...

(Oh dear, I've just realized how that could be misconstrued)

For the record, I don't "pick up" Isa Browns... Don;t pick up super models either... :lol:

chillidude · **Posted:** Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:04 pm

earthbound wrote:

For the record, I don't "pick up" Isa Browns... Don;t pick up super models either... :lol:

Well, one of them's a bad thing, and the other is good !

Jaymie · **Posted:** Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:40 pm

doesn't it need to be pretty cold for hops to grow well?

Backyard Farming Forum
Bringing food production home

Hi from Darwin

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Backyard Farming Forum Bringing food production home

Hi from Darwin

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Backyard Farming Forum
Bringing food production home