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Fred's Fine Fowl
09-26-2008, 02:28 PM
Hi everyone... I found Patti through YouTube. I just loved how excited she was to un-pack her day old chicks from Murray McMurray Hatchery.
We wrote back and forth and I was and am thrilled with all she's doing in the city.

I'm hoping the tide rises in cities around our country and that more people follow her lead! From the look of this site and forum, things are definitely happening.

I live in Rural Pennslyvania, designed and built my own super energy efficient home... stick by stick... wireing, plumbing... all of it. My wife Annette was by my side the entire time and she is constantly entertained by my wide and varied interests.

We are organic and use no chemicals on our property. I spend my time educating our youth about environmental health and landscaping with natives.

Fred's Fine Fowl is a poultry operation.. Free Range Chickens, Ducks, Guineas and even the Australian Emu. Though I do not live in the city, Patti thought I'd enjoy sharing with those of you who are considering raising poultry. So, here I am, enjoying this wonderful exchange of information with people who are trying to do the right thing by the environment and people they love.

My flock is part of the U.S. Dept. of AG. National Poultry Improvement Plan. I am a Poultry Technician, Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. I have been involved in this program since the turn of the century and basically live outside.

I have an annual 1/2 acre vegitable garden... fertilized exclusively with material from my four chicken coops.

I am also a poultry breeder, though I've reduced this activity recently, providing fertile hatching eggs and baby chicks to enthusiasts in Erie County.
We even construct and provide custom chicken coops of all sizes, outfit them and then even provide the birds based on the owner's personal taste.

My greatest joy is in teaching and sharing... though I am actually retired, I substitute teach at our County Technical School (10-12th grades) and support the county fair and 4-H children. This year, Erie County started their first ever, exclusive poultry club "Waddles and Wings".... If you google me, type in Frederick Dunn and you can find my many activities easily.

I also have an apiary... honey bees and am a member of the Northwestern PA Bee Keepers Associaton. More than a hundred pounds of honey this year, just from our backyard set up!

I look forward to exchanging information with everyone here and am thrilled to be here!

I'm also the Author of the DVD found on this and other poultry sites, titled Regarding Chickens.

gardengirl72
09-26-2008, 06:07 PM
Thank you so much Fred joining up. We need a true bird specialist like yourself. I learned a lot from your DVD(check my library page) and I look forward to seeing pics from your farm, to keep us city folk in touch with the country.

Patti

Cynthia
09-29-2008, 05:01 PM
Hey Fred,
sounds like you are a busy guy. Glad you are here.

Fred's Fine Fowl
09-29-2008, 06:14 PM
Yep, I'm pretty busy... but it could certainly be worse? I could have absolutely "nothing" to do...

In my opinion, the worst thing that could happen to anyone, is that they are no longer of any use to others.

Sinfonian
09-30-2008, 05:02 AM
Cool. All these experts. Patti's brought together a wealth of information!

I think it's great that you are a full service operation for farm birds, I bet that keeps you busy, especially since having urban and suburban livestock is becoming so popular.

My brother and I would both like chickens, but I've been vetoed three times and he's got the green light. Know anybody good here in the PNW?

Fred's Fine Fowl
09-30-2008, 07:28 AM
As you are asking about where to buy birds? Or sourcing for a particular breed... I will post a thread in the animals forum, as there are probably several folks who would like this information...

See you in Animals!

plantoneonme
09-30-2008, 01:24 PM
Hi Fred, I thought I already said hello but guess not...I have been reading with interest about the birds and hope to someday get dh to give in and let me get a couple. I have to get him past the "I'm not a farmer" line. Oh he grumbles but eventually he gives in LOL. Kim

Fred's Fine Fowl
10-01-2008, 09:20 AM
So, he doesn't like the "farmer" title?
Maybe he could be introduced to the historical context of some of the purely ornamental breeds? Many ornamental breeds of chickens, were developed as estate ornaments. Beautiful and exotic chickens, were allowed to roam the grounds and simply look pretty. Sultans for example... Phoenix... tell him he is in esteemed company as a owner of the glorious chicken. ("> Even the Queen of England, has a Royal Chicken Keeper... Buff Orpingtons I believe...

AbbeyLehman
10-11-2008, 05:18 AM
Hiya Fred, welcome!! I will most likely pick your brain for info when I finally get to buy my chickens!

Fred's Fine Fowl
10-11-2008, 10:54 AM
I always enjoy fielding chicken questions...