How long until your overwhelmed or tired of poultry

[texsuze]

In my 11th year of hen-keeping right now. My girls (and I've had many) have delighted me so much over the years! But this year alone I've effectively lost 50% of my flock to illness/disease. . I have 3 hens remaining, ages 8, 7, and 4 and while I'm nowhere near growing tired of my girls, I stress about how to proceed if another hen should pass away in my dwindling flock.

And what happens if I'm suddenly left with a solo hen? Do I bring in more girls for companionship and likely expose them to the same cootie that has already affected my flock?

I'm not ready to step away from chickens right now, but I am trying to think about the future. None of us live forever.

 

[Molpet]

In my 11th year of hen-keeping right now. My girls (and I've had many) have delighted me so much over the years! But this year alone I've effectively lost 50% of my flock to illness/disease. . I have 3 hens remaining, ages 8, 7, and 4 and while I'm nowhere near growing tired of my girls, I stress about how to proceed if another hen should pass away in my dwindling flock.

And what happens if I'm suddenly left with a solo hen? Do I bring in more girls for companionship and likely expose them to the same cootie that has already affected my flock?

I'm not ready to step away from chickens right now, but I am trying to think about the future. None of us live forever.

8 and 7 are getting pretty old. Cooties or not. I have 2 out of the original 6 from 2015 left. The hybrid layers went first and then the bjg. Barred rock are left. But I have a ton of their offspring.
Have you thought about getting a necropsy to find out what cooties are the problem?

 

[FeatherTay]

Had chickens for about 8 only started getting into them in the past year.

 

[kurby22]

I’ve only had chickens since April, so the jury is still out! So far I think my quail will go before the chickens. As long as my job lets me telework it’s a lot easier to keep going

 

[texsuze]

Molpet, confirmed via blood test, the good ol' mycoplasmas, MG and MS.

 

[SarahGfa]

I think flock size matters more than years. I had between 5-8 chickens for many years, and it was fine. Last year I increased it to 12 chickens and a turkey, and it felt overwhelming. This year my neighbor gave me some more turkeys and now it feels like a full-time job.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I think flock size matters more than years. I had between 5-8 chickens for many years, and it was fine. Last year I increased it to 12 chickens and a turkey, and it felt overwhelming. This year my neighbor gave me some more turkeys and now it feels like a full-time job.

Blame the turkeys?

 

[Molpet]

Blame the turkeys?

I blame my turkeys for most things lol
They are problem children. ... Stupids in the trees and owls found them.

 

[SarahGfa]

Blame the turkeys?

Blame ME for adopting so many turkeys They are cute when little, but they cause sooooo much drama when they get older.

 

[SusanMc]

I’m in 3 years, my original flock has slowed down/or died. So I’ve been replacing, it’s ok, I still love them, and learn something new almost every day