Does anyone regret getting chickens?

[FollowingMyNose]

The last few weeks I have been trying to educate myself about what it takes to maintain a backyard flock. I had so much fun going though all the descriptions of the different breeds and looking at the beautiful birds and baby chicks. The rewards of having our own eggs still makes me a little giddy but I am starting to put quite a few checks in the "con" column, and not too many in the "pro" column.

I know how much you all love your chickens so I am hoping you can rekindle my enthusiasm. Or maybe some people just shouldn't have chickens, and I might be one of those people. But whenever I visit someone that has chickens, I get all excited. Of course, these people have land, and we are in a subdivision. I know I can legally have some chickens and I don't think my neighbors will complain, but is it really a good idea? It is starting to feel wrong for some reason.

If I am going to have chickens, I would be like many of you, and they would be pets with the benefit of eggs, not livestock. With that in mind, here's some of the cons that I have read about:

* the smell in hot Georgia summers
* dealing with all the ways they die - sickness, predators, accidents, killing each other
* chicken mites
* pasty chicken butts and all things related to poop
* trying to find someone to care for them when we are out of town, or would we never get to leave town again?
* Initial setup cost (mostly the time and money to build a coop that would not be an eyesore)

Our backyard is almost 1/2 acre, but it is pretty full already with a small orchard, a shed, several raised beds for vegetables, compost bins, etc. The space that we would have for a coop and run is around 400 square feet. I started out thinking I would get 4 or 5 chicks, then I got all excited and thought that was enough room for a dozen or so...and now I am starting to wonder if I should just forget the whole thing.

What do you think? (Asking a bunch of chicken lovers if I should get chickens ...

)

 

[onthespot]

No, I wish I would have gotten mine sooner, but I would like my time and money back, but keep my chickens too...

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I've regretted getting certain breeds or selling out of a breed that I really like, but in general no regrets.

 

[ibpboo]

Keep your flock at about 5. They can scratch around your orchard a lot!! You'll get the hang of it, it'll become easy! And yes you will be able to leave town again!

The addiction is starting to set in, soon you'll be laughing at yourself for ever thinking maybe you weren't cut out to be a chicken keeper!!

 

[JenEric Farms]

It's reasonable for you to have doubts.

Of all your concerns I feel the traveling one is the biggest...

Do you travel a lot? If so, do you have someone in your neighborhood that would be willing to water/feed/collect eggs while your gone? Kids love doing this type of thing, especially for a few dollars or free eggs.

The other stuff you mentioned is really no different than with any other pet. Is it worth the care/smell/food/shelter/vet bills? Depends on the person. Also, other pets don't give you EGGS.

I don't regret having chickens in the least! I want more!

 

[GlitterBug]

I love my chickens & do not regret ever getting them at all.

Yet...growing up, I was always told, "If there is doubt, don't." So you may want to wait a bit before you do? But I think if & when you do have a better feeling about it all, you would find your chickens so entertaining & fun and absolutely worth it all!

A lawn chair & a chicken = A wonderful stress reliever!!

OK, so maybe I am encouraging you just a little here~~but that might be all you can find on BYC!

Best wishes whatever you decide.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Regret and chickens are two words that do not belong in the same sentance, let alone the same paragraph

As long as you get everything set up properly before you get the chickens, you will be fine.

Make a part of their run covered in shade cloth, so they can get relief from the hot sun.

Look around on Craigs list, for a small shed that you can convert into a coop.
This can save you plenty of money and time.

And, chicken poo is not that bad, if you keep things tidy.
And, as it ages, your garden will love the that type of fertilizer.

You will need to come to grips with death and illness. Learn to be your own vet if at all possible.
Its not too hard to do.

And, even though, our chickens do provide us entertainment, we do view them as livestock.
Extra roos get made into chicken soup, and hens as they age out of laying, also go the same route.
Its being a good steward of the land.

You will otherwise run into issues with older chickens taking up space that you need for egg layers, and also costing you extra in feed.

 

[weirdmuse]

Quote:
No regrets at all! ever! Even when we lose one to age, illness, or predator, it's still worthwhile. To answer your concerns:

Smell shouldn't be a problem even in hot GA summers with a bit of proper maintenance and good ventilation

Just like any other animal, you know if you have a dog, cat, etc. eventually nature runs it's course. It's just a matter of feeling that the time you have together is worth the heartache at the end.

I've never had a problem with 'pasty butt' but poo does need to be cleaned up.

If you have any close neighbors, I'll bet after a very short while, you won't have any problem getting someone to come over once a day while you are gone to gather eggs and check feed and water. My neighbors take turns.

Chicken coops don't need to be big or fancy for the few chickens that you are talking about. And paint makes a world of difference.

It sounds like you've got a great property for chickens. Maybe you could fence them into the orchard area along with a small coop.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Nope, I haven't regretted it for a second. In fact, I'll be building another coop to get more.

Don't put the coop right by your house. Their poop is stinky when it's freshly dropped.
I've lost 2 and although it's sad, it won't keep me from enjoying my chickens. (lost 1 to a hawk and 1 because she flew into the coop and broke her neck)
I've had my chickens almost a year now, and I have not had mites. If you are concerned about this, give them a place to dust bathe with food grade DE. (diatomaceous earth)
Pasty butts don't happen that often. Infrequently as chicks. None of my adults have issues with pasty butt. You can help keep them healthy by giving them organic apple cider vinegar. (not distilled, but the kind that says mother where the sediment settles in the bottom - just do not put in a metal waterer, only plastic)
When you're out of town, it's well worth the $$$ for an automatic door opener. It opens the door in the morning and closes it after dark when everyone's on the roost. Best money I ever spent.
A coop can be inexpensive or expensive, it's up to you. But it will be around for years, and you will get lots of use out of it.


Pro's:
Great fertilizer for your garden
Easier to care for than a dog
Hours of entertainment watching them - ever see a chicken run? It's hilarious! And the keep away game if you give them a worm.
They are garbage disposers - they eat my overripe fruit from my orchard, leftovers that don't get eaten, scraps from my garden, etc.
The eggs are soooooooooooo worth it. I'll never eat a store bought egg again.
It's humane - have you seen the way commercial chickens are housed? It's really sad.

Did I convince you yet?

 

[redhen]

I'm starting too...no eggs in months!

they're about to become chicken stew...