Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[perchie.girl]

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thanks Pop.... learned something new and very useful...

 

[perchie.girl]

Fred's Hens :

No trick. However, most hens do lay by noon, with the stragglers laying later.

If a hen doesn't "learn" to lay in the box, she's gonna get probation and not be allowed outside. If she does it again, she'd be culled. I've not had such a failure in many, many years. It all starts at POL in my estimation. They need to learn about the boxes and practice laying in their boxes during those first few weeks of laying. My point of lay pullets are not allowed to free range until I am confident. I don't do easter egg hunts.

Another tidbit Just learned....

going to try to apply this to my Guineas. I walk with a cane and cant go hunting for a female deciding to go Commando. And yes I may just be wishing. got to try though.​

 

[Sooner]

I have not attempted to post in this thread but twice. Each time I post there is a comment by an OT that makes anyone feel unwelcome. I liked the non-foo foo aproach but won't bother posting again.

BTW my experiance is 13 years, no I am not a 20 year like some of you are but I don't post anything that I don't think is correct. Even with a lifetime of experience you can never know everything.

Good luck with your thread.

 

[speckledhen]

Even with a lifetime of experience you can never know everything.

You are absolutely correct. I've seen folks with far less than 20 years experience who are much more informed and competent than some with far more than 20 years. I don't know why the arbitrary 20 year cut-off, in truth.

Just because you've been keeping chickens for 5 years doesn't mean you're an idiot and know nothing. Just because you've been keeping them for 20 years doesn't mean you are an expert, either. Depends on how much you've observed, been willing to be taught, and wanted to learn, IMO.​

 

[mississippifarmboy]

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I agree Walt, that was all very well said.

As I said in my first post here, the longer I raise chickens, the less I know. I have also found over the years that some things I have always done just was not the best way to do things. I have also figured out some things that work for me and have for over 40 years just will not work for those in northern states or someone who raises chickens in coops. I also probably still do some things "wrong".

I personally owe a debt of gratitude to those old timers who have posted. And yes, I'll admit it - I have learned a few things from relative newbies at times. I have learned several things. And unlike some of the newer ones who have posted, I can have someone totally disagree with me and still learn from them and respect them without fussing or getting angry.

Al is a perfect example. I have followed (read that as stalked if you will

) his posts here on BYC ever since I started trying to breed to the SOP. He has so much practical experiance and I have learned so dang much from his posts, not only here, but all over BYC. I honestly like and respect the man. But if you new folks will look back in the thread, Al and I are polar opposites on how we deal with people being near our chickens and disease control. Does that make him right and me wrong, or me right and him wrong? No. It means we each handle things in the way that works for us. I still read every post he makes and take notes. I think too many people get their feathers ruffled over nothing.

Disagree with something I post? Fine. I am only stating what works for me. Nothing I say is set in stone.

In the end I think everyone, old timers and newbies alike, need to just read the posts and learn what they can. Take what you need and leave the rest and lets all just be polite and respectful, understanding this is a public forum.

 

[BWKatz]

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I personally feel 13 yrs is "old time " enough. I have only posted to introduce myself and x2 with questions. I think the thread should get back to answering questions rather than who is answering them.

 

[smarsh]

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this is the type of blanket statement that is misleading.. I have four game roosters mixed in my flock of Delawares, hens and rooster, Barred rocks, hens and rooster, and a Bluelaced red wayandotte rooster and a dozen mixed breed hens , all together. abou 45 chickens.. there is no fighting..

Years ago, I had a light Brahma rooster kill a large Wyandotte rooster.. does that mean that you should never put two of that kind of rooster together ? NO ! it all boils down to the individual rooster..

Well, games are bred for fighting, and though some may be more docile than others, I see a lot of game roos tied off to keep them from fighting and if they wish they win.

 

[perchie.girl]

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The way I look at it, this thread is a chance for people to ask questions and debate things and get more straightforward answers than you can give on some other threads.

We will all have different experiences and what does or does not work for me might or might not work for you. Different people learn different things from experience. One thing I've learned is that things don't always happen the same way each and every time. Sometimes I might be able to figure out what is different and sometimes I can't. Sonetimes that difference is just that it is a different chicken involved.

Yes, there has been some reverse snobbery on this thread. Yes, sometimes people post things on here that are just wrong. Hopefully enough of us will counter that so people reading it can learn. And yes, sometimes people just won't learn even if they are hit over the head a few times with a 2x4.

This is a public forum. I think I have lasted this long because I can ignore certain people and I do try to not take it personally. Sometimes that can be pretty hard.

I am not an OT but have had chickens since 1989. As a hobbyist, enjoyer, dabbler, I will never be raising more than enough to feed me and possibly sell a few eggs in a farmers market. What I knew of chickens prior to BYC came from reading books and talking to my dad who learned from his mom and dad who were Sharecroppers. I will NEVER have the knowledge the OTs have. I am too old. But I can learn enough to make my own husbandry skills better. I do have good things to offer with regard to construction and locating free or nearly free building materials. been doing that all my life.

 

[BWKatz]

Perchie girl I'm right with ya.

 

[workinnanie]

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You are absolutely correct. I've seen folks with far less than 20 years experience who are much more informed and competent than some with far more than 20 years. I don't know why the arbitrary 20 year cut-off, in truth.

Just because you've been keeping chickens for 5 years doesn't mean you're an idiot and know nothing. Just because you've been keeping them for 20 years doesn't mean you are an expert, either. Depends on how much you've observed, been willing to be taught, and wanted to learn, IMO.

I agree with this post. I have had chickens over 20 years & feel like a newbie because I was busy working & just had them for my kids to enjoy the babies etc. Now I have embraced them as my hobby and have been learning as much as I can. I find the byc group to be excellent teachers! I have also become intensely interested in the Silke breed. They are lovely pets for the grand kids. I also kept an EE because she had such a cute personality(and she lays pretty green eggs). I also have a barred rock with special needs that my neighbor was unable to keep safe (she rewards me with the most beautiful large brown eggs). Thanks for all of your wisdom. We are never too old to learn!