chicken rant..... :(

[chickenwhisperer123]

I have done so much for my chickens, spent so much time keeping the coop clean, taming the chickens, spending money for feed, and for what?!?

EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND SOMETHING HAPPENS!!!

Dog attacks, coccidiosis, predator break ins, hurt legs, mareks scares (thanks Ideal Hatchery!!) , and so much more....

I am starting to wonder why I even starting raising them....

UGHHH!!!

So, what makes you guys keep trying?

Ive had about all I can take...

 

[debilorrah]

I hope things start looking up for you!!!

 

[gamebirdsonly]

I know how you feel. There is always something killing or trying to kill them it drives you nuts. I have came close to giving up but I enjoy it to much despite the set backs.

 

[hikerchick]

Cuz I like having a hen help me weed my onion patch.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Mareks from Ideal? I ordered from Ideal too, but none of my birds ever showed signs of having Mareks..

 

[valentinebaby]

Quote:
Dog attacks & predator break ins - best way to avoid that is to make your coop and run completely predator proof. That was one of the biggest cost to my run and coop. I would love to let my chicks have full run of my 2 acres, but can't risk the neighbor's dogs, coyotes and bobcats that roam thru from time to time, not to mention the hawks and barred owls!

Coccidiosis - I guess I was lucky...but I did change their water at least 3 times a day when they were young and put vinegar with the mother in it.

Hurt legs - ?? Were they cramped in somewhere? If not, could be too high of calcium before they started laying.

Mareks - When I decided to get chicks, I purposefully decided not to buy from a hatchery. I also avoided the numerous auctions. I actually found my somewhat local breeder on Craig's list, talked to her for a while before deciding to go to her place and once I got there, decided she was the one to buy from: her numerous pens were immaculate - much more so than her house! And she was chicken crazy, so I took that as a good sign! I was also able to call her when I had questions.

I had read several books and then decided, after spending many a day fretting about right vs. wrong way, to follow my own instincts and that seemed to work better than the books. I glean my information from those books (especially the older one I have listed on my BYC page) and this website and then funnel it all into what works for me.

Don't give up! When you get those first eggs (got my 1st one last Monday), it makes all those hours of work fade away!

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

Quote:
NOOO!!!

I didnt mean I got mareks from Ideal... Sorry for the confusion.

I suspected Mareks a long time ago, so I ordered vaccinated birds... Some of them didnt make it, so I got a replacement shipment, which I guess they didnt vaccinate.

Now I am suspecting Mareks in my flock...

 

[chickenbottom]

Quote:
me as well they vaccinate for mareks dont they? and i hope it turns around for you once you get throught the worse part of the storm clear skys are to come

 

[miss_jayne]

that's why it's called keeping, not kept!

gotta keep on keeping!

i loves it, that's why!

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
NOOO!!!

I didnt mean I got mareks from Ideal... Sorry for the confusion.

I suspected Mareks a long time ago, so I ordered vaccinated birds... Some of them didnt make it, so I got a replacement shipment, which I guess they didnt vaccinate.

Now I am suspecting Mareks in my flock...

Ohhhh! Ok now I understand LOL. I'm sorry the unvaccinated ones are showing symptoms. I don't think my birds were vaccinated.