Feeling overwhelmed and having second thoughts!

[Ellies Egg Basket]

hi, I yesterday I bought two little cuckoo marans to put under broody hens. one has been brooding for 4 month. I tried all the way I knew to stop the broodiness in two hens (Chicken Little and Henny Penny) . cooling the chickens with cool water , giving very cold water to drink, shoving them out of the nest numerous times a day, locking hens out of the chicken coop, isolating hens in a kennel to get extra air flow too cool them. putting frozen vegetables in the nests,( they both sat and thawed them out. I even put hens in cold water. So I gave in and put 1 little chick under each hen this morning before it got light. I a afraid they might freak out and hurt the chicks, what is the probability the chick will be okay. Right now the hens are sitting on the chicks and are all fluffed out with wing out so for now it looks okay. when do I need to move the hens and chicks?

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I have 4 young kids (5 and under) so I'm right there with you, especially since I already have my chicks and the snow hasn't melted to build the coop! lol. I just involve the kids as much as possible (with limits of course) with feeding, watering etc. YOU'LL BE OKAY. I swear.

Damn.... you be gettin' busy!

 

[Atzbrandy]

I just ordered my coop and now I'm researching making my own brooder, and in watching a few videos and reading a few things, I'm starting to feel overwhelmed and as if I won't be able to do this. I have 3 small children, one of which was a high needs infant (she is our foster/adopted child who was born addicted to opiates) and yet STILL I feel like I'm going to screw this up lol. I've never had chickens before and I don't know anyone who keeps chickens to get advice from in real life, so I'm going to be flying solo. Someone please tell me this will be ok, or tell me it's really hard and I should rethink this. Sidenote - I've wanted chickens for literally a decade, and I just moved into a house where I can have them (and it was a MUST HAVE on the list when looking at houses). I'm just doubting my ability to adequately give these birds what they need. Help?

I am right there with you. I have just started building a 6x6x8 coop and so far have spent an ungodly amount of money doing it and I am having second thoughts; is it worth it, can I handle the extra commitment, the financial obligation? What about mites and other conditions I have yet to consider. Wooh it's a lot.... But you only live once and I would rather give it a try and possibly fail than never know what might have been. This could be the event that teaches our children that responsibilities and commitment can be rewarding!