Like moths to the flame...your words of "caution" became fuel on the fire
I was all set to get 4 more chicks next week (2 EE and 2 GSL) and then I thought about all the extra "time and energy" that would be required to raise them to egg production age and so I decided to wait until next year
My three girls are cranking out 2-3 eggs everyday for the past month. I actually had enough extras to give some to friends.
It is always wise to buy all the feed you need to last from the 1st of February until the end of June. Much easier to avoid temptation if you avoid feed stores when there is a chance they might have chicks. Either that or call first to make sure they don't have any.
And that was when I used to manage a tropical fish emporium years ago. You should have seen the look on people's faces when I told them point blank, that they weren't ready for a tropical salt water set up...."but why not?" "because you can't even keep goldfish alive for three weeks yet! What makes you think you're going to be able to handle the complexities of tropical salts?? "
Yup! Some people can be just as dumb as a box of rocks! They see something pretty that they like and they figure there should be no barriers to them acquiring the object of their desires. So long as they have the money for it, they figure that's all they need! FIDIOTS!
OK, OK, OK, That's the last trip to the soap box! I swear!!!
i guess im a fidiot i got my chickens grew them with no information turned out greate they free range over 40 acres and are happy but becouse i had no prior knowledge im an idiot that should have never got them the peice of paper they ive you when you buy chicks that says what to feed how warm to keep them is just trash i guess? but you are welcome to come over and see how happy my chickens are and call me a fidiot after that i hate when ppl say stuff like that about ppl becouse its a stupid assumption to make that becouse a person dosnt have any prior knowledge or dealings with an animal they will be horrible owners i think the ppl who post stuff like that are the fidiots cuz they just bash ppl that get stuff for their children and you dont know if the person was just asking to sort out truth cuz i have read plenty of wrong info on the internet about buttonquail like buttonquail is just another name for coturnix and even now that i own chickens i ask stupid questions when buying them that i already know like when will they start to lay or can i feed chicks layer mash or adults chickstarter but once again im a fidiot so maybe i should just give all my chickens to a commercial industry
Sorry no one has responded to your post. You had something important to say. I'll bet you're a great chicken owner! I didn't grow up on a farm either, but that doesn't mean I don't have the ability to learn.
I also came home with my chicks and a little sheet of paper telling me what to do. They even lived in a cardboard box with a desk lamp for heat and NO thermometer. I just used my common sense, and watched whether they looked hot or cold, and kept their food and water clean. I guess I figured if I could raise three human children to adulthood, then I could nurture a few chicks. And it all worked out.
I agree that we could be a little more gentle on first time chicken owners. This whole thread is about how we ALL impulse buy when chick days arrive. So, let's be less mean to those who succumb to those cute little fuzzy-butts. It might be their first time, but that doesn't deserve ridicule. We could tell them about BYC so they could get their questions answered. Hopefully, when they got here, we would be nice.
If you think about it unless we grew up around chickens we were all first timers at one time. I got my girls last june. I researched for months, but had never been around chickens. My husband and I and the kids were living in a trailer park. When it was time to move our main criteria for the new house was enough land for chickens and to be able to grow some of our own food. I love my girls more than you'll ever know, and I learn something new all the time. My girls are happy, clean, and healthy. Not to mention totally spoiled. I have two 9 month olds, an EE and RIR, sitting at the desk with me right now and they agree.
I have been around chickens all my life and I still use common sense to raise chicks; I mean, not a thermometer.
Ok. If the little fluff balls are cheeping loudly and unhappily they are too cold. Or maybe hungry or thirsty.
If they are sitting with their wings sort of spread out they are too hot.
If they are panting they are WAY too hot.
You have enough room in their box that they can get out from under the lamp or under it, as need be.
If they are pecking each other they need more room, usually.
If they are twittering and chirping happily they are fine.
Have lots of little things to eat and drink out of.
I think somewhere in the Bible there is a shepherd's quote: The eye of the shepherd fattens the flock. In other words, watch the animals under your care and they will tell you what they need.
(Usually.)
I almost never lose a chick, although it does happen.
If one goes BLECK and then says nothing else the dog ate it.
Sadly. Guess how I know this.
I guess you would have to have more knowledge and more equipment if you had way more chicks than I do but so far common sense works fine with my 25 chicks or less. I just like them a lot.
I have to say, my success rate with incubating is not as good, but getting better.
guess i am a fidiot too.. mine came as an unexpected gift for grandpas birthday last yr.. they lived in my unused garden bath tub for 6 weeks till we got a coop built.. but i have lived on here ever since and learned just about all there is on here.. hundreds of hours later.. all 8 are beautiful roos and hens.. it was the best gift you could have given us.. we have enjoyed chicken tv and the eggs so much i have ordered 22 more hens for mid april... i know call me a chicken junkie.. but i love it.. and i love that they are all so cute and lovey.. thank you byc and anyone who hasn't a clue can still get knowledge fast on here.. i know i have.. and we have dug up all the garden.. 100x100' with a pitch fork just so those little babies can have worms.. even though we have a tiller. now that is dedication!
