I really want some chicks, HELP ME!!!

[barred2rock]

I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, you can reduce smell & mess by fermenting the chicks'/chickens' feed. It will also reduce consumption, thus cost and improves the health of the chick(ens).

 

[aart]

ah, this makes so much more sense now! I think you'll need to explain to her that we did not know who she was/is and that we simply did not have the context to place her comments. I would recommend placing a simple blurb in your signature in settings that explains that sometimes your daughter, maybe include her age, is writing the post, that way it will show up at the bottom of all future and past posts and help folks gauge the appropriate tone in their comments. I think it's cool that you are working on this together. I have a 6 and an 8 year old and I feel that raising chickens has significantly enriched our lives together. there is so much to learn and share. I think once we know if it's you or her posting, we can be more constructive.

I could tell it was a 'kid'....and allosaurusrock is correct, ages of minors should not be disclosed.

But a signature blurb about a parent/family guiding the kid(s) making posts is a very good idea.
Would help us to help them learn, certainly would have changed my tune/tone....
....and protect the minor for the public to know an adult was overseeing the minors online activities.

 

[starrmar006]

No, you are having trouble taking responsible care of your animals. If you don't have time, money, or patience to take care of them, just don't do it at all.

I never said I had trouble taking care of chickens, I have money I just don't want to wast it on chicks, and yes I have very little pations but I have had chickens for 2 years now and I know more then my mom at this point this is the only time I got a rooster (to keep) and my parents said I can get a hen broody. So, why is everyone saying this over a question on how to get a chicken broody!?

 

[barred2rock]

I never said I had trouble taking care of chickens, I have money I just don't want to wast it on chicks, and yes I have very little pations but I have had chickens for 2 years now and I know more then my mom at this point this is the only time I got a rooster (to keep) and my parents said I can get a hen broody. So, why is everyone saying this over a question on how to get a chicken broody!? 

No reason to get upset, sweetheart. Sometimes it's difficult to grasp the situation through simple text. We're here to help!

 

[The Moonshiner]

What a crazy thread.
Things went south for you when you started mentioning all the negatives about raising chicks when your thread was about wanting chicks so badly.
You were really laying it on thick about how horrible chick raising was. People here are pretty passionate about chickens and when they hear someone wanting chicks but complaining about everything that goes into having them of course feathers are going to get ruffled.
Im sure you can understand that.
If you would of mentioned you wanted chicks but that you only wanted a broody to raise them because it was a lot of work raising chicks and using a broody would be more ideal for your situation you might of got nicer reponses.
I got that that was what your thinking was but i think some got a bit defensive for the chicks sake and once you get on a path its hard sometimes to get off it.

On to your question...
I think it ALL depends on the hen. Some will never go broody. Some only when they decide the time is right, others can be coaxed into it and some will find any excuse to.
Most bantams seem to be really good at wanting to be mothers. Ive got silkies and all it takes for them to go broody is if an egg or two is in the box for a day.
Thats my only suggestion is to leave some eggs in the nest box and see what happens. Its best to leave 8 or more for me. All in all our hens seem to get more anxious about setting when they see enough eggs to make a nice clutch.

 

[katefollot]

Quote: Since you're saying the money would be "wasted" on the chicks, I would carefully consider why you feel that way. Living beings are a responsibility when we take them on, that includes ones added to an existing flock.

I believe you got great advice from Birdinhand, beyond that, it's really just waiting for them to get broody!

 

[bobbi-j]

I never said I had trouble taking care of chickens, I have money I just don't want to wast it on chicks, and yes I have very little pations but I have had chickens for 2 years now and I know more then my mom at this point this is the only time I got a rooster (to keep) and my parents said I can get a hen broody. So, why is everyone saying this over a question on how to get a chicken broody!? 

The responses that upset you have nothing to do with asking how to get a hen to go broody. They are in response to the arguing to every suggestion offered and the comments about how much work it is to take care of them and how you don't want to do it.

So, just to be clear - are you only wanting chicks if they can be raised by a broody? That is a fun thing to watch when it can happen. Unfortunately not every hen goes broody and there's not much you can do to make that happen if your hens aren't prone to it. Some hens that are likely to go broody can be tempted to do so by a nest full of eggs. Let's say you get a broody to hatch out chicks. Then what? Do you have enough room to keep a bunch of extra chickens? If you get extra males what is your plan for them?

Two years is a start in chicken keeping. You are getting some experience. But - you received a bunch of good information by people who have far more experience than you. People who took time out of their day to try to help. Instead of getting mad because they did not understand, a "thank you" and clearer explanation of what you were trying to ask may have been in order.

 

[allosaurusrock]

I never said I had trouble taking care of chickens, I have money I just don't want to wast it on chicks, and yes I have very little pations but I have had chickens for 2 years now and I know more then my mom at this point this is the only time I got a rooster (to keep) and my parents said I can get a hen broody. So, why is everyone saying this over a question on how to get a chicken broody!?

I do have to say I was quite rude with my previous, comment, so sorry about that. I'm also still living with my family, so I know what it is like to want to do one thing with your chickens and knowing you are ready, but parents, who don't understand chicken keeping, getting in your way. (No offense to the parents!)

 

[chickens really]

Not sure why this thread went so defensive..?..

At the end of the day...They are your Chickens........Do as you please...

I have Chickens and I understand you not wanting to spend lots on them.........Chickens are Chickens.....

I think some should be ashamed by their comments on here...Like Bambi's mother said....If you have nothing nice too say? Don't say anything at all....

Anyways..

Best of luck.....


Cheers!

 

[bobbi-j]

I do have to say I was quite rude with my previous, comment, so sorry about that. I'm also still living with my family, so I know what it is like to want to do one thing with your chickens and knowing you are ready, but parents, who don't understand chicken keeping, getting in your way. (No offense to the parents!)

I am a parent, and no offense taken. Let me explain things from my side of the fence (although my sons are all grown up and married now). There may be reasons you don't know about that your parents get in your way. Who is paying for the chickens, feed, housing, fencing, etc? If it's your parents, they may not be able to afford to pay for every little thing you want. Who's building the coops? Cleaning up after the birds? (@allosaurusrock - this post is not directed at you specifically, just so you know.) Sometimes parents want you to earn things for yourselves. Things that are just handed to you aren't appreciated nearly as much as what is earned. Shoot, I had to grow up, get married and have kids of my own before I could get a hamster! (My mother always said, "You are NOT having a RAT in my house! Wait until you get your own house!" So, my oldest son got "his" first hamster when he was three...

) We really don't want to just suck all the fun out of your lives, (although I told my kids that it was my job to do so).

Honestly, your parents aren't entirely stupid and probably know more about things and life in general than you give them credit for. If they're getting in your way, your best bet is to be responsible in ALL areas, and respectful even when you don't understand why they seem to be going against you every step of the way. Include them in your research. Educate them ("Hey, Mom! Did you know that it takes 21 days for eggs to hatch?" "DAD! I just read about this really cool thing about chickens. Let me tell you about it...")

It's tough raising parents these days, but with patience, they'll turn out OK.