Covid-panic-induced chicken keeping?

[Ellegibs]

We all have to start some where and we all had our own reasons for starting when we did. Some will carry on and be successful while, as with anything else, some will decide they've bitten off more than they can chew. I love my chickens and all other animals and hate to think of any suffering in any way or not getting the life they deserve because of human stupidity. But I know I can't control what other people do and it's not worth the worry. As long as you are "keeping your own side of the street clean" it's not for you to worry about what everyone else it doing.

 

[polar peckers]

I think people just have more TIME for this venture that maybe they wanted to do before but didnt have the time for....also "chicken therapy" is AWESOME! We jumped in w all 4 feet last year and this year are trying to hatch! With a kid too its sooo fun. Some hatcheries are unable to deliver right now so everyone up here in alaska had to buy locally too. Could be a rude awakening for some though! Lets start with the first cecal poo!lol

 

[Jrios58]

We had had chickens and guineas years before, but I admit the current crisis was my excuse ro buy some again. We did our research, asked 2 friends who are long time chicken owners for advice, and so far so good. We have a dozen white rock pullets who are healthy and happy in their new coop. Looking forward to watching them grow up!

 

[Mtc33]

We’ve toyed with the idea for years, but had pretty much given up because our kids never met a sport they didn’t like, we like to travel, and we just aren’t around enough to give them the start they deserve. I’m more the animal person, my husband is already in love with the chicklets, but his primary interest was for eggs. I’m a biologist, and worked at a vet clinic for several years, briefly at the zoo before that, so I’ve got a good handle on animal husbandry, but never chickens... Literally the day school was called off, we decided to go for it. The timing has been excellent. We spent a few weeks reading heavily, got our chicklets the beginning of April, the coop was delivered last week (built by a friend, still need to build the run), and we should be ready to put them outside in 1-2 weeks. The kids have been the designated socializers, and they help with all other chores, and once the hens are up and running, if we do need to travel we have neighbors willing to help out, but I don’t see that happening for a while. So in our case, Covid was the impetus, but we weren’t going in cold. I have noticed a surprising number of folks in the beginner conversations who really seem to have no idea what’s what, and that is worrisome. I have a lot to learn, but I’ve got a couple good resource books and I’ve read them...

Our backgrounds sound a lot alike- I’ve been a registered veterinary technician for several years and worked at the zoo briefly before that as well. However, I have pet-sat chickens before and really enjoyed their company. Since purchasing our house, each year we have gotten progressively closer to being ready for chickens. With our yard almost completed and suddenly finding ourselves working from home, we did a lot of research and finally felt ready. After a couple of Tractor Supply trips and seeing all the people panic-buying whatever straight-run breeds were left, we decided we would wait for the breeds we wanted. We had to drive more than an hour away and wait outside in a socially-distanced line before the feed store opened. I guess in the end, we did panic-buy but we are now very happy chicken owners and look forward to keeping them healthy and spoiled for years to come!
Although, those who panic-buy may be less experienced, I feel like as long as they have good intentions and good resources to refer to, they too can succeed.

 

[singwithmylife]

We have wanted chickens for a LONG time but the COVID situation was certainly a propelling factor in our getting them now. I did do, and continue to do, countless hours of research about them prior to purchasing because I’m not one to dive into something that involves little lives without making sure I know what I’m getting myself and them into.
It has been a blessed diversion for sure. It’s so much more joyful than a lot of what has been happening in the world. I really love them so much already and am enjoying teaching my children about chickens as well as responsibilities and animal husbandry. We also go through half a dozen eggs a day in our home so it was a very practical acquisition.
I know there are a ton of people who are not so well prepared but I hope it eases everyone’s mind that at least some of us are invested in this adventure for the long haul even if COVID is what drove us to dive in!

 

[Bckpkrs]

Well, we just got our very first chickens; three laying hens, Timing re: covid-19 turned out to be coincidental. My wife and daughter had talked about getting chickenss for the last two years. Each spring, the discussion got a little more serious, with me being the hold out. Finally, this spring, our lawn had become such a weed bed, I finally said, "I'm done; If you wanna get chickens, fine." That just happened to be late-February/early-March, and 10 days later we were locked-down. Timing was perfect IMHO, because it allowed me lots of extra time to do research, including finding this forum.

 

[NanaKat]

For us, we have talked back and forth about getting 3 urban chickies for the past few years. But the virus did push us to make that decision, we have some ordered for the 21st. We are also adding 3 extra raised beds to our garden. We like the idea of being as self sufficient as we can on our double lot. We of the younger generation (I’m 30) have “lost” the old ways of our grandparents, and rely to much on the ease of corporate industry. We are all for getting back into growing veggies and canning what we can. We view the chicks as a extension of the garden....you don’t water the plants, you won’t have any veggies....we have had beautiful veggies the past 5 years. We hope to have beautiful eggs in the coming months!

But as total newbies we are looking for any useful tips, coop ideas, feed ideas, Ect. As we are newbies, that want our new investment to produce eggs!

So please message or post advice for us!

Welcome! You have found a great site for finding answers to any questions you may have from chickens, to gardening, to canning, etc.
There is a search option at the top of the page that will help getting those answers quickly.

 

[gocyndygo]

My daughter and I decided to get chicks, then one of our dogs was very sick and we were going to wait, but ultimately decided to go ahead. I had chickens many years ago, but we just let our hens hatch and take care of them, along with ducks and a pair of watch-geese, so we never really had to do anything but feed and collect. We decided what kinds we wanted (Easter eggers and Favorelles) which we choose because of their docile, friendly personalities. But we couldn't get them at the same time, so right now the 3 eggers are in a brooder in my florida room, and meanwhile I'm building a coop. We will get the others in about 2 weeks. But We have noticed the panic buying of chickens too. I think being stuck at home for so long takes us all back to the "homestead" days. Everybody's making soup and baking bread, growing gardens, so chickens fit right in! So far, I've gotten most of my wood free or almost free, scrap from Home Depot, but I also found someone around the corner building a house, lots of free scrap from there. I have to say my biggest expense will be the hardware cloth.

 

[angela0408]

Yes, same in my area. Chicks are still being snapped up like crazy. But we have had egg shortages at the store and meat plants are still shut down, or at reduced capacity. I’m a little concerned about the food supply for winter. Luckily I have all the chickens I need and am still selling any chick I have hatching. They were all planned hatches. I raise silver laced polish and silkie polish crosses. Just starting a small flock of borps for my own meat flock.

 

[Gwethrien]

I am one of these covid chicken beginner.

Now with my personality type I did weeks of research about all the things.

I didn’t go for chicks but what were supposed to be layers though more likely were pullets, the eggs they are laying are clearly fairy starter eggs.

I think my 3 ladies are getting a fairly good standard of care, secure coop, securish run, free range of Decent backyard, good food, clean fresh water, oyster shells, meal worms, treats (I check every item to make sure it is ok). These are not my first animals, cats and dogs.

But I also have never had chickens so there is a learning curve, thank goodness for BYC.

One of my ladies seems to have tummy troubles so everyone is getting a little bit of yogurt a day (water soluble probiotic is on the way.) They are panting a lot in the heat wave we are having. I have given them extra water dishes throughout the yard, there are tons of shady spots. If anyone has tips for the newbie I’m happy to hear from you.

I am finding the experience Positive especially now that we are getting an egg or two. I wouldn’t have brought the ladies home if I wasn’t ready to commit, good thing I am a morning person, summer sunrise is getting into the 5 o‘ clock hour. I imagine when some who were Totally prepared long term want to Re home I may be in the market for a couple more Hens (chicken math working it’s magic.)

One insight I came across is that compared to factory conditions I think even a less than ideal backyard set up may be an improvement to quality of life for any given chicken.