2 years of loving chickens....how things change. :)

[luvmychicknkids]

This is just an insomnia induced ramble, really.

Was sitting here thinking of how drastically things have changed in a little less than two years.

I decided I wanted chickens...BAD. Mentioned it one day while talking to my Mother and she said she wanted them, too. So, after many hours on the phone we decided to place an order and kind-of share them. They would live at her house and I would come over to help with their care, etc. Sounds good so far. We poured over breeds and decided on 12 we thought were just right.....11 hens and 1 roo. We got a beautiful house set up, the babies brooded....everything was great. But I felt I was being cheated somehow. I was falling in love with these beautiful creatures and I didn't get to be with them all that much. Somewhere along the way I found this site googling for information which was my absolute downfall!!! Soon I realized Tractor Supply sells baby chicks.......UH OH!!!!

Fast forward to now.

My Mother has HER 36 chickens, I have MY 34, I hatch babies in an incubator (I remember saying that would NEVER happen....I was terrified of the thought), I have even had to put a baby out of its misery once (that was so painful). I still vividly remember my very first egg. The first baby hatched by me. I know each individual personality quirk of each of my chickens and I love them all dearly. I can't imagine a life without them ever again.

I am now (alright, have been for a LONG time) considering how to do meat birds. I know I will have to figure out a way to prevent myself from getting attached to the ones for meat. I keep thinking one day it will happen.

Anywhoooooo........just wanted to type that down.

I would love to hear anyone else share their chicken progression story.

 

[giasmom]

I just want to say, that was such a heart felt mini- chicken story. I feel where you are coming from. Its hard not to get attached when you have such a soft heart!


I too am an insomniac !!!

 

[KellyHM]

Ok, you asked for it...this will also be a ramble induced by insomnia.

I decided last August that we should get a few hens for eggs. I had chickens as a kid and loved them, but hadn't thought about getting any of my own. DH agreed that it was a good idea. His friend just happened to have 2 hens that he was wanting to get rid of, so we got them the next day. I had also found out about Silkies on Craigslist and picked up a hen with 2 chicks the day after that.

About a week later DH's friend decided he needed to get rid of a rooster, so we took him too. Having a rooster got me thinking...and within the month I was digging out my 20 yr old styrofoam Hovabator that my dad bought me as a kid...after 15 years in the attic it still worked!

Then I found BYC and realized how many breeds there are! Then I started to fall in love with them! Needless to say all heck broke loose when I realized I could order eggs in the mail...

Fast forward 10 months to now...I have about 35 adults of various breeds, as well as about 40 youngsters growing out. Did I mention the 3 bators (yes, I've bought 2 more since the beginning) that are stuffed with eggs? Oh, and I'm debating if I need a 4th to handle all the eggs I've bought/traded for in the past week.

ETA: I did the meatie thing once...it was SO hard not to get attached. They were some of the sweetest chickens...came running to me for treats and tried to sit in my lap. I felt horrible having to kill them and had trouble eating the first one...I did get over that and we have eaten all of them except 1. I don't know if I would put myself through it again though...something I've been debating.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Awesome story, KellyHM, thank you for sharing.

See, I really DO want stories.

Ohhhh........that is what I am so afraid of on the meaties.

I have heard they tend to be VERY sweet. Why can't they be nasty, mean things????

Thanks, giasmom.

Sometimes I get a bit sentimental sitting here alone at night.

Seems like there are quite a few insomniac chicken lovers, though.

 

[KellyHM]

Quote:
The one thing that did help me get rid of them was that they produced SO much waste. And at SO much food! And they started laying down a lot b/c they were getting so big, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I would have to do it anyways.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Quote:
The one thing that did help me get rid of them was that they produced SO much waste. And at SO much food! And they started laying down a lot b/c they were getting so big, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I would have to do it anyways.

I am sure I will eventually try it. I jsut know it is going to be so very hard. I ALMOST bought a couple of baby turkeys to raise for the holidays.

Oh that is just what I need, a couple of pet turkeys (which is EXACTLY what would have happened)!

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

Mine actually happend a little like yours. Was kicking it around with my family one day. Then before I knew it we were working on the coop. Although, I didn't get my chickens right away. I was having a hard time finding good chickens close to me. But, by the time I found some my coop was just getting finished. So it worked out. Now I have 2 lg coops, 1 small coop and plans for some more and quail coops too.I have big plans on a small budget. Well I love them and enjoy my time with them everyday. And you just cant replace that feeling. Plus, the kids love to pet and play with them too. So they fit in with our family too.

 

[KellyHM]

LOL, I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to try the turkeys. I LOVE my Royal Palms and couldn't imagine killing one. We do hunt wild turkeys here though, so I really have no need to raise them. I haven't been able to kill any of my Coturnix for meat yet...they're just too darn cute.

ETA: I suppose I'm just use to being able to shoot my dinner instead of having to cut it's head off...

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

yeah, Im not sure how that is gonna go down yet. The whole meat and butchering thing. I might have to have someone do it for me.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Quote:
Oh I know what you mean....I have HUGE dreams on a very smalll budget. One day though......*sigh*

And yes, my kids love helping care for them, too. I think it is so good for them.

Yeah, turkeys are just too pretty. I totally understand what you mean about shooting vs. chopping. I can't even imagine doing fish (much less birds).....I don't think I can ever hold something in my hands and kill it. I usd to help my ex husband clean fish but he had to kill all of them while I was in the house, then I came out and helped clean them.

Yup, I am a big old wimp!!!!