Going to be SO glad when it's over

[Whisper]

This is my third batch of chicks in a year. The brooder, the heat lamps, the losses, the monitoring, their escapes, rehoming the roosters, I'm worn out . . . .

I am going to be so happy when I have ALL grown chickens and I can just relax and let them lay eggs for a couple of years!

I have 5 hens that just started laying eggs in March, plus 9 pullets that were born mid-March. They should start laying by August, I figure. Is it unreasonable to think that I don't have to worry about buying replacement pullets until 2012? That will make my new hens two years old, the old ones 2 1/2. Should I plan on buying chicks in the fall of 2011 instead?

I love how cute and adorable they are as chicks, but it's a lot of work, it only lasts a few weeks, and I'd rather spend that time working on my other projects for now. Whew. I'm so glad these ones are all feathered out and don't need a heat lamp anymore. Now it's just the extra work of monitoring them around the adult hens until they're old enough to integrate, plus the extra chores of feeding two separate pens of chickies and all the watering in this heat . . . .

(I need a chick vacation. Maybe with little drinks with umbrellas.)

 

[pgpoultry]

I would have thought you will be fine until 2012 at least, depends on the breed a bit. I have Brahmas and they go on laying for 7-8 years or even longer at times. My Warrens I can really only expect to continue laying for a short while longer as they are nearly 3 (Then they will just roam around with the other free-rangers until they can roam no more!).
I DO agree though, the whole process of attending to chicks and chickens is tiring, but worthwhile!

I am having to divide my time between the chooks and the newborn and sometimes sickly, or orphaned and/or bottle fed lambs plus the rest of our menagerie. Oh and there is the family too, nearly forgot them!

Sandie

 

[Mrs. K]

If you ever get lucky and get a broody hen, (I have been telling my five hens everyday, come on someone go broody) you will never go back to your heat lamp and brooder.

Last summer in May, I had one go broody, did not have eggs, but I counted the days, and when it got close to 21, I slipped some baby chicks under her at night!

It is the only way to raise chicks! She would call a time out, and all chicks would scurry under her and get warmed up! She would scratch, and cluck, and chicks would run it to see what she found. She worried and fretted, and kept them close, and I just enjoyed them! So much more fun! mk

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
I feel exactly that way every year at a certain point. Then, there's that little gnawing urge to have chicks again. I incubated once this year and do not plan to do it again. Have a broody whose eggs are pipping as I type. That's the way to do it!

 

[yotetrapper]

LOL. It's a lot of work for sure, but I couldnt imagine a spring without hatching out chicks. I currently have a growout pen full in the coop, a huge brooder in the garage full, and two boxes in the house. I have 2 genesis' with hatching chicks, another with duck eggs, and a cabinet bator withou about 200+ eggs in it. Don't think I'll get a break for a while.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I totally agree with this post. I know exactly how you feel. I'm totally exhausted as well. Keep us posted on the vacaction and the drinks. I need to get some ideas from you on de-stressing.

 

[elmo]

I have three bantam hens each with a brood of chicks right now. I agree with the other commenters: broodies are the way to go! They do all the work, you get all the fun.

Keep a couple of bantam hens, like Old English Game bantams, and you'll have a good chance at getting one or more to go broody when you want. Plus, they are beautiful birds, hardy, and have great personalities.

 

[Whisper]

Heh, I might try the broody thing, if any of my hens ever get "the urge." I have one tiny OEGB hen, I doubt she could cover three eggs, lol! We named her Dove because she looks exactly like a whitewinged dove, just a little lighter gray, and the same size.

As far as drinks and vacations go, I've got six human kids, so that's pretty much out the window. But a break from dealing with tyrannical toddler chickens would be nice! Hopefully my Brahma and Langshans and Leghorns and such can all shoulder the burden for a while, unless someone decides they want to be a mommy chicken. I have one game hen, I think they're supposed to go broody, too. We'll see!

 

[AnnainMD]

Two items that made all the difference for me (I had two batches of chicks in one month): nipple waterers and a ten pound feeder.