Afraid to start

[buglit]

Hi, this is my first post on the forum, although I have been reading it for several months. I live in Western North Carolina. Currently I do not have any chickens or other pet birds. I do have 4 dogs though. I have been researching getting some chicks for eggs and as pets. I am pretty convinced that I want to do so and how to go about things. My main concern is that I have been reading so much on the forum about diseases, chickens dying, having to "cull", etc. I could never kill anything, and the thought about my chickens getting sick and dying or having to kill them, I don't know if I could do it. I have had to put dogs and cats to sleep in the vets office, but that is a totally different ball game. Fortunately, i do have a avian vet around the corner from my house...

I think about chickens all day, have been researching the best type of coop, already have the sight picked out, etc. It is this darn thing about them dying or having to cull them that is holding me back. Please advise. Thank you

 

[wegotchickens]

First:

Second:
Don't let your fears hold you back.
You've been doing the research, now see if a BYC member lives near you. Maybe they can get you some healthy birds to raise.
Disease isn't common if you're careful.
And although accidents happen, if you build the right coop you can also keep your birds safe from predators.

Third:
If you've been dreaming about them this long, you may as well give it a shot

You know you have this forum to help you solve any mysteries that crop up.

 

[willowcol]

I have had my chickens since april of last year. So far no problems really, but I am lucky. If I ever do need to cull it will be because its whats best for the animal and so I believe if I ever have to I will be able to do it now. There are always risks when having animals that they will get sick, or get hurt. I just don't let fear decide if I have them or not. Good luck with your chickens when you get them.

 

[Opa]

Welcome Buglit. Raising chickens is very enjoyable and I know you will like doing it. However, almost everyone has lost chickens and will continue to do so. The only thing you can do is your best and take solace from that.

 

[Teach97]

things die...but it is the love we feel for them while they are here that counts...plus we accept grieving...

...get them! You do not have to cull...lots of folks let animals live out their years of retirement...horse breeders have retirement pastures why not chicken folks! Get some don't let fears control you...let the birds take control and drive you insane and make you get more birds and then hatch them and watch out for the silkies I hear they are evil and take over your mind.

WELCOME!!

 

[annmarie]

You sound a lot like me. I had all the same fears. I suggest you start out small with just a few birds to see how things go. I worry almost daily about my chickens dying, but they're tough little buggers, and I realize all I can do is provide for them the best I can. I'm pretty sure I could never cull either, but I (like you) live right around the corner from the vet, so I'm pretty sure that's where I'd be headed if culling was necessary. I also know one or two people who raise chickens near me that do cull (maybe you live fairly close to a BYCer that can help you?), and I wouldn't hesitate to ask one of them either, if necessary. So far though, I've had mine for almost 2 years and nothing like that has ever been necessary. Really consider just a few though, because I sometimes think that makes keeping them healthy a lot easier, because I notice quite quickly when something doesn't seem right with one, and it's also easier to build a small coop like a predator proof fortress! And don't forget you always have this great group of people to run to when you're freaking out!

 

[mamaKate]

Welcome to BYC! You are a perfect chicken mom candidate. With proper care, chickens are no more likely to die than any other domesticated animal. The reason there is so much talk about it here is that there are so many keepers and so many birds. Also, chicken keepers are more likely to try to solve their own veterinary issues. Culling certainly doesn't have to be a part of keeping pet chickens. By all means, start your flock!

 

[kodiakchicken]

I'm with everyone else - go for it.

I've had my birds (5 hens, 3 ducks) for almost a year and two months ago I got hatching fever and now have 19 chicks of various ages living in my garage.

I had great luck with all of them, despite having to deal with marauding bears, wet, miserable weather, hurricane force winds, and limited vet/animal supplies on an island. Never a sniffle, injury, loss or anything.

That is, until the incident of my little scalped chicken (you can find the thread here). However, even as traumatic as that was, it has only deepened my enjoyment and awe of these birds. They really are fairly healthy animals, have amazing recovery skills and their personalities will keep you laughing.

Just remember that people are more likely to post about injuries and illnesses because they need help. Most of us are not nearly as inclined to post about healthy happy birds as often because we are just too darn busy enjoying their company.

Get a few birds, read everything you can get your hands on (The Storey's guides are great - check you library for them) and have fun. It's totally worth it.

 

[buglit]

My thought was getting day old sexed chicks, all female, from My Pet Chicken

2 Easter eggers
2 Australorps
2 Rhode Island Reds

Is this too much to start out with? I want chicks so we can bond, and I don't want any Roo's, I want to get enough so they don't die when shipped, what do you think?

 

[kodiakchicken]

That looks like a perfect amount. I had originally ordered six (there were about 15 others in the order - several of us went in on it) and one of them didn't make the trip. Other than that they were fine.

The three breeds you have picked are all good, hearty egg layers and I think you'll be very happy with them. The only other I might suggest is Buff Orps. They are big birds (similar to the size the RIR's will be) but have very mellow, sweet personalities.

Definitely get the day old chicks. It's way too much fun having baby chicks to miss out on it by getting older birds!