99 problems and chickens are one (rant)

[emilythestrange]

Feeling really disheartened again. I consider myself new to keeping chickens (last spring)

I have kept dogs rabbits hamsters fish before

moved to countryside and thought chickens would be nice
loved the look and placid nature of silkies and thought they would be. Perfect breed for my little girl to pet etc

mice had so many problems already I feel. It’s only been a year. I’ve had possible mareks disease and now wry neck.
Hens I’ve had for probably 10 weeks which STILL haven’t laid.
All roosters before and tackling noise and trying rooster collars.
The metal coop I purchased for £220 has rusted hinges and now the doors fell off. The roof can half blow off in the wind so I have to tape it together
I’ve recently seen mice in the coop eating the feed
It’s getting me down abit I’ll be honest !

I don’t know what to do next. I’ve got 2
Roosters and 2 ‘hens’
Dominant rooster is Mating dance to the ladies , but no getting on the back (I don’t think they will let him but I keep seeing patches of feathers to suggest he is trying )
The placid rooster ad the friendliest has wry neck.

I didn’t really see eggs as a main reason for keeping chickens but I love to watch them in the garden , it’s disheartening to see my father in law has some Rhode Island reds and has had a few problems with fox attacks but nothing else ! And he spends no time with his chickens.

thanks if you’ve got this far!

 

[Mrs. K]

I think to have chickens, you have to be a bit heartless. Some birds work out, some birds do not. I often come on to this sight and think that some people just have too kind of heart for chickens.

As for the mice, do not leave food out 24/7. It wastes a huge amount of feed, and it draws in rodents. I have kept a flock for years, and birds do not eat the same amount each day. But I keep an eye on the bowl in the late afternoon. If it is empty, the next day, I feed a bit more. If a lot is left over, I feed less.

You don't say how old your daughters are, but small children and roosters can be a bit chancy. Do keep an eye on them.

I have never had silkies, because I do want eggs. Each of us comes into this for their own reasons. The coop problems are part of the learning curve. Generally a small building works best.

Mrs K

 

[AntiqueB]

I'm sorry about your spate of bad luck. If your Silkies are only 10 weeks old, they're far from laying. Enjoy them for their personalities now; they do change once they begin to lay. You may also want to get a couple more pullets, and keep one less rooster! 2 roosters to 2 hens is not a good ratio. Have your looked at articles and threads about wry neck, or posted your own thread here?

I agree with @Mrs. K about the feed. I feed mine 3 small meals a day, and any leftovers from the last meal become the next day's breakfast. I never leave food out overnight, which keeps mice numbers down, but doesn't eliminate them completely. Some feed undoubtedly still gets spilled!

Coops are like houses, I think -- neverending maintenance. If you like your coop's design, perhaps replace parts bit by bit with better materials. Maybe a new door, or a new roof? I know I've added hardware cloth, latches, and a gutter to mine, along with paint. I hope to add onto it this summer, too. A little at a time can seem a lot more do-able!

 

[Chickpalooza]

Feeling really disheartened again. I consider myself new to keeping chickens (last spring)

I have kept dogs rabbits hamsters fish before

moved to countryside and thought chickens would be nice
loved the look and placid nature of silkies and thought they would be. Perfect breed for my little girl to pet etc

mice had so many problems already I feel. It’s only been a year. I’ve had possible mareks disease and now wry neck.
Hens I’ve had for probably 10 weeks which STILL haven’t laid.
All roosters before and tackling noise and trying rooster collars.
The metal coop I purchased for £220 has rusted hinges and now the doors fell off. The roof can half blow off in the wind so I have to tape it together
I’ve recently seen mice in the coop eating the feed
It’s getting me down abit I’ll be honest !

I don’t know what to do next. I’ve got 2
Roosters and 2 ‘hens’
Dominant rooster is Mating dance to the ladies , but no getting on the back (I don’t think they will let him but I keep seeing patches of feathers to suggest he is trying )
The placid rooster ad the friendliest has wry neck.

I didn’t really see eggs as a main reason for keeping chickens but I love to watch them in the garden , it’s disheartening to see my father in law has some Rhode Island reds and has had a few problems with fox attacks but nothing else ! And he spends no time with his chickens.

thanks if you’ve got this far!

10 weeks is very early for a pulley to start laying especially for silkies, and a 1:1 ratio for chickens is bad since overbreeding can kill a hen. As for feed, maybe a cat? Or hang the feeder were the chickens can reach it but the mice cannot? I’m not sure on that one.

 

[emilythestrange]

10 weeks is very early for a pulley to start laying especially for silkies, and a 1:1 ratio for chickens is bad since overbreeding can kill a hen. As for feed, maybe a cat? Or hang the feeder were the chickens can reach it but the mice cannot? I’m not sure on that one.

Things have improved. I have bought another 2 pullets and the original two pullets started laying around a month ago They lay an egg each a day !
The cockrel with wry neck has spouts of bad neck and then he’s fine
I’ve not seen mice for a while and I’m going to buy a big treddle feeder when I get paid

 

[AntiqueB]

I'm glad you found the light at the end of the tunnel, and are enjoying your birds!

 

[Chickpalooza]

Things have improved. I have bought another 2 pullets and the original two pullets started laying around a month ago They lay an egg each a day !
The cockrel with wry neck has spouts of bad neck and then he’s fine
I’ve not seen mice for a while and I’m going to buy a big treddle feeder when I get paid

I’m glad things are improving