Am I doomed to fail?
- Thread starter jecombs
- Start date
You're planning on getting your birds in April, June is right around the corner! The ideal time to let them live in their outdoor home. You do plan to have an outdoor coop/run, don't you?
Before we try and convict Craigslist remember they sell a lot of stuff on there, millions if I am not mistaken so you are bound to get a few bad apples but If you do your pre-work and ask the right questions view the birds (but don't expect the grand tour of the farm most breeders will not allow that" you can find healthy good quality birds. You are doing the best thing you can do and that is educate yourself to the ways of buying birds.
Quote:
Certainly, that's true. But if you find someone on a forum, you can usually do a search of that person's posts to get a sense of who they are (a beginner with chickens, etc.). Plus I think people who belong to a community (even just an online one) tend to act more scrupulously than those who don't, if only because if they cheat you, they know you can post about your experiences in the forum they belong to.
An experienced poultry friend of ours told me that when he posts his excess stock on Craigs List, there's always a significant number of no shows from the listing (people who say they're interested and coming over to get the birds but just flake out). He has not had that experience with people on poultry forums.
Take it for what it's worth!
Certainly, that's true. But if you find someone on a forum, you can usually do a search of that person's posts to get a sense of who they are (a beginner with chickens, etc.). Plus I think people who belong to a community (even just an online one) tend to act more scrupulously than those who don't, if only because if they cheat you, they know you can post about your experiences in the forum they belong to.
An experienced poultry friend of ours told me that when he posts his excess stock on Craigs List, there's always a significant number of no shows from the listing (people who say they're interested and coming over to get the birds but just flake out). He has not had that experience with people on poultry forums.
Take it for what it's worth!
- Thread starter
- #25
- Jan 31, 2011
- 92
- 3
- 43
I've been doing a little research and I think I've found a poultry show that's going to happen in my area (western NC) in March! I think that might be a good way to meet breeders learn more about chickens. At the very least, I think I'll get exposed to what healthy hens look like.
Yes, we do plan to have a coop and an outdoor run. DH is going to build the coop and run when the temps get a little warmer. He's pretty handy, so I'm sure he can handle it. We also have a little over an acre of chain-link fenced yard and we want to let the flock free-range there when we are home to supervise them. Not only will it be good for the hens, but I'm hoping it will provide us with some bug-control in our yard.
Does anyone have a good book recommendation for raising chickens? I've read a lot in the learning center here at BYC, but I'd like to learn more, especially about diseases and what those look like. I think some of you have mentioned things like scaley leg mites and I have no idea what those are or what they look like...
Yes, we do plan to have a coop and an outdoor run. DH is going to build the coop and run when the temps get a little warmer. He's pretty handy, so I'm sure he can handle it. We also have a little over an acre of chain-link fenced yard and we want to let the flock free-range there when we are home to supervise them. Not only will it be good for the hens, but I'm hoping it will provide us with some bug-control in our yard.
Does anyone have a good book recommendation for raising chickens? I've read a lot in the learning center here at BYC, but I'd like to learn more, especially about diseases and what those look like. I think some of you have mentioned things like scaley leg mites and I have no idea what those are or what they look like...
Gail Damerow Chicken Health Handbook is a very good book for any level of bird owner. Extension services are good as well.
You are right or your friend is right alot of people flake on you from Craigslist. After a while when I get alot of flakes I will include in my post that I want serious buyers only in a very blunt manner and beleive it or not it does help.
Quote:
Certainly, that's true. But if you find someone on a forum, you can usually do a search of that person's posts to get a sense of who they are (a beginner with chickens, etc.). Plus I think people who belong to a community (even just an online one) tend to act more scrupulously than those who don't, if only because if they cheat you, they know you can post about your experiences in the forum they belong to.
An experienced poultry friend of ours told me that when he posts his excess stock on Craigs List, there's always a significant number of no shows from the listing (people who say they're interested and coming over to get the birds but just flake out). He has not had that experience with people on poultry forums.
Take it for what it's worth!
Quote:
Certainly, that's true. But if you find someone on a forum, you can usually do a search of that person's posts to get a sense of who they are (a beginner with chickens, etc.). Plus I think people who belong to a community (even just an online one) tend to act more scrupulously than those who don't, if only because if they cheat you, they know you can post about your experiences in the forum they belong to.
An experienced poultry friend of ours told me that when he posts his excess stock on Craigs List, there's always a significant number of no shows from the listing (people who say they're interested and coming over to get the birds but just flake out). He has not had that experience with people on poultry forums.
Take it for what it's worth!
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Before you even contemplate getting any chickens, please ask yourself: "How will I kill one or even can I kill one if it needs to be put out of it's misery? Are these strictly pets and not to be used for food? If not, then is the rest of the family on board with eating spent layer hens? If pets, do you intend to keep them even after they have stopped laying? If not, how will you then get rid of them?"
These are more important questions than buying hens or chicks. These animals are not like cats or dogs and most vets will not even treat chickens, so you really need to have an idea what you will do in case _____________ should happen to your chickens. Fill in the blank with sickness unto death, injury, etc.
Every predator's favorite food is chicken...do you have a plan to protect your potential flock from predators?
Finally, have you studied up on chickens at all, as a previous poster suggested? Symptoms of typical poultry diseases, flock management and feeding, available medicines in your area for treatment, or even how you will treat them naturally if you choose to do so.
All of these things suggested are real concerns with raising chickens and should be truly studied before getting your flock. You will be glad you have a plan in place when you have to face these realities later.
As for hens vs. chicks? I've bought a whole flock of grown layers before with great success and was entirely pleased with their health, breed characteristics and egg laying abilities. One just has to gauge the living conditions, husbandry methods and general appearance of the flock...then take a deep breath and take a chance. There are no guarantees when it comes to chickens, be it chicks or hens.
Oh...and have fun!!!
These are more important questions than buying hens or chicks. These animals are not like cats or dogs and most vets will not even treat chickens, so you really need to have an idea what you will do in case _____________ should happen to your chickens. Fill in the blank with sickness unto death, injury, etc.
Every predator's favorite food is chicken...do you have a plan to protect your potential flock from predators?
Finally, have you studied up on chickens at all, as a previous poster suggested? Symptoms of typical poultry diseases, flock management and feeding, available medicines in your area for treatment, or even how you will treat them naturally if you choose to do so.
All of these things suggested are real concerns with raising chickens and should be truly studied before getting your flock. You will be glad you have a plan in place when you have to face these realities later.
As for hens vs. chicks? I've bought a whole flock of grown layers before with great success and was entirely pleased with their health, breed characteristics and egg laying abilities. One just has to gauge the living conditions, husbandry methods and general appearance of the flock...then take a deep breath and take a chance. There are no guarantees when it comes to chickens, be it chicks or hens.
Oh...and have fun!!!
- Thread starter
- #29
- Jan 31, 2011
- 92
- 3
- 43
Quote:
I'm still working on researching some of this (like recognizing diseases). I have some time, as we don't plan on getting any birds until the first of May. We have a little over an acre, fenced-in with chain link. When we are home, I'd like to let the birds free-range within the fence. I want to clip their wings to prevent the hens from flying over the fence, because it's only 4ft. tall. We plan to build a coop and a fenced run for times when we can't be home to supervise the hens in the yard. We already have some hardware cloth, which is what we want to use for the run. I'm hoping that this will take care of most predators. We also have a gun for anytime we catch a predator in the act. And a dog who will bark and chase almost anything (which is why she won't be allowed in the yard when the hens are free-ranging). I'm still coming to terms with what we will do if a bird needs to be put out of it's misery quickly. That's more my husband's department than mine (gotta love being a girl sometimes). I've read about various methods on BYC. DH and I want to get dual purpose birds, so we can eat one if it doesn't end up being a good egg layer.
But yeah, I'm still working on a lot of the things you brought up. The good news is that I had actually thought about these things, even if I don't have all the answers yet. I'm not totally naive
and I do want to be a responsible flock mistress.
I'm still working on researching some of this (like recognizing diseases). I have some time, as we don't plan on getting any birds until the first of May. We have a little over an acre, fenced-in with chain link. When we are home, I'd like to let the birds free-range within the fence. I want to clip their wings to prevent the hens from flying over the fence, because it's only 4ft. tall. We plan to build a coop and a fenced run for times when we can't be home to supervise the hens in the yard. We already have some hardware cloth, which is what we want to use for the run. I'm hoping that this will take care of most predators. We also have a gun for anytime we catch a predator in the act. And a dog who will bark and chase almost anything (which is why she won't be allowed in the yard when the hens are free-ranging). I'm still coming to terms with what we will do if a bird needs to be put out of it's misery quickly. That's more my husband's department than mine (gotta love being a girl sometimes). I've read about various methods on BYC. DH and I want to get dual purpose birds, so we can eat one if it doesn't end up being a good egg layer.
But yeah, I'm still working on a lot of the things you brought up. The good news is that I had actually thought about these things, even if I don't have all the answers yet. I'm not totally naive
Then I seriously doubt you are doomed for failure!
Oh..and the fence and clipping the wings? It won't necessarily keep your birds in the fence, as they more or less just hop to the top and drop over the fence. They don't actually take flight to surmount it. Found this out quick and in a hurry many years ago. The only thing I've found that will keep chickens in the fence is having the fencing extend past any solid surface like gates or fence posts onto which they can hop. It only has to extend past the object about 2-3 in. to be successful in detering their escape...and even then you may have one that just HAS to go to the other side, but that is how it goes sometimes.
Please don't think I was implying you were naive....I just am always amazed on this forum of the number of people who get into chickens without a second thought about these issues and then run in panic when they encounter them. They are needlessly distressed and the chickens suffer lingering illness or traumatic injury because they haven't developed a plan to deal with it.
So...now I caution newbies about the realities in case they haven't given them any thought.
Sounds like you are solidly grounded in your plans and you will do well! Chicken on!!!!
Oh..and the fence and clipping the wings? It won't necessarily keep your birds in the fence, as they more or less just hop to the top and drop over the fence. They don't actually take flight to surmount it. Found this out quick and in a hurry many years ago. The only thing I've found that will keep chickens in the fence is having the fencing extend past any solid surface like gates or fence posts onto which they can hop. It only has to extend past the object about 2-3 in. to be successful in detering their escape...and even then you may have one that just HAS to go to the other side, but that is how it goes sometimes.
Please don't think I was implying you were naive....I just am always amazed on this forum of the number of people who get into chickens without a second thought about these issues and then run in panic when they encounter them. They are needlessly distressed and the chickens suffer lingering illness or traumatic injury because they haven't developed a plan to deal with it.
So...now I caution newbies about the realities in case they haven't given them any thought.
Sounds like you are solidly grounded in your plans and you will do well! Chicken on!!!!
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