farmin'chick :
Well, I think that when you first get into chickens, you just find yourself WAY more enchanted with them than you ever expected. And you also find that they can be way more WORK than you expected, on a day to day, year round, all weather basis, and that to have healthy chickens, you have to feed, medicate when appropriate, and supervise and protect them. So, I don't think there's anything wrong with encouraging people to get more. I have the facilities and the space, and I hit a high of around 300, but I am in the process of reducing the number of breeds AND the number of birds I have -- I'm down to around 175 now and will be smaller soon. It has given me great joy to be able to GIVE people birds to start their little flocks, to sell some great specimens to some, to trade for others to solidify my prospective breeding groups, and to have a ton of eggs to sell, give away, and donate to charity... I think people will soon arrive at a point where they realize they really want one or two PARTICULAR breeds right now, and will be able to reduce their numbers of birds, or that they ONLY like raising little chicks to bigger birds and then it's not fun for them anymore, so they will choose to raise a fast growing meat bird perhaps...
I want to end up with a nice flock of around 50 layers to have 30 eggs or so a day most of the year, and some specialty birds for heritage breeding, and some "fun" birds which for me are Silkies and Bantam Cochins. Having had LOTS of different birds, I am more satisfied that I can choose which breeds and types I will be happiest with.
So, yes, some people are limited on space, facilities, time, budget, etc. and should only have a few. But for as much joy as they bring me, mine have all been worth it.
I agree. I started with 2 RIR and 2 EE's. Then I wanted all these other kinds, then all these fancy ones. I've went through hundreds this year, in like 20+ breeds. But now in the winter, ice and snow. I am deciding you know what. Keeping over 100 chickens at a time isn't fun. I will be downsizing in the spring. The hard part is to pick which ones stay and which goes. But trying out different breeds, has made me decide which ones I like, and which I don't. Even with downsizing, I will still be breeding.
Brahmas in several colors
BLRW
Cochins in several colors
Silkies in several colors
EE's
After you have more chickens then just a flock. It's more of a job then a hobby anymore. And I found out just how hard it is to keep hundreds of chickens, and goats, and cats, and pigs, and donkeys, and horses, and ducks all healthy and happy at the same time.
I love my animals. But I will be downsizing. In fact someone is coming to pick up a horse today.
Which I was especially glad for, when she busted the fence down and got out again at 7 this morning.
Well, I think that when you first get into chickens, you just find yourself WAY more enchanted with them than you ever expected. And you also find that they can be way more WORK than you expected, on a day to day, year round, all weather basis, and that to have healthy chickens, you have to feed, medicate when appropriate, and supervise and protect them. So, I don't think there's anything wrong with encouraging people to get more. I have the facilities and the space, and I hit a high of around 300, but I am in the process of reducing the number of breeds AND the number of birds I have -- I'm down to around 175 now and will be smaller soon. It has given me great joy to be able to GIVE people birds to start their little flocks, to sell some great specimens to some, to trade for others to solidify my prospective breeding groups, and to have a ton of eggs to sell, give away, and donate to charity... I think people will soon arrive at a point where they realize they really want one or two PARTICULAR breeds right now, and will be able to reduce their numbers of birds, or that they ONLY like raising little chicks to bigger birds and then it's not fun for them anymore, so they will choose to raise a fast growing meat bird perhaps...
I want to end up with a nice flock of around 50 layers to have 30 eggs or so a day most of the year, and some specialty birds for heritage breeding, and some "fun" birds which for me are Silkies and Bantam Cochins. Having had LOTS of different birds, I am more satisfied that I can choose which breeds and types I will be happiest with.
So, yes, some people are limited on space, facilities, time, budget, etc. and should only have a few. But for as much joy as they bring me, mine have all been worth it.
I agree. I started with 2 RIR and 2 EE's. Then I wanted all these other kinds, then all these fancy ones. I've went through hundreds this year, in like 20+ breeds. But now in the winter, ice and snow. I am deciding you know what. Keeping over 100 chickens at a time isn't fun. I will be downsizing in the spring. The hard part is to pick which ones stay and which goes. But trying out different breeds, has made me decide which ones I like, and which I don't. Even with downsizing, I will still be breeding.
Brahmas in several colors
BLRW
Cochins in several colors
Silkies in several colors
EE's
After you have more chickens then just a flock. It's more of a job then a hobby anymore. And I found out just how hard it is to keep hundreds of chickens, and goats, and cats, and pigs, and donkeys, and horses, and ducks all healthy and happy at the same time.
I love my animals. But I will be downsizing. In fact someone is coming to pick up a horse today.
