I'm at the end of my rope.

[TOMTE]

Okay. Do you really think I haven't thought all this through, over and over and over, every day and night? Wouldn't you have done the same by now? I'm not an idiot. This isn't my first chicken rodeo. I get it. It tortures me.

There are a lot of things I want to do before I lose my eyesight. Having chickens was supposed to be one of the easier things on that list. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Did you notice the title of the thread?

Alright then. I understand how frustrating this must be for you. You're at the end of your rope, and people are only trying to help. I'm sorry if I somehow came off as condescending or something, for you to infer that I think you're an idiot. Good luck, whatever happens I hope things get better.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I knew I shouldn't have resurrected all this. I had stopped posting anywhere on BYC and was just lurking/reading. I only made a comment in @thecatumbrella's thread because I wanted to let her know she wasn't alone and having chickens isn't Happy Fun Time! for everyone.

Sometimes BYC isn't as helpful as it likes to think it is.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I knew I shouldn't have resurrected all this. I had stopped posting anywhere on BYC and was just lurking/reading. I only made a comment in @thecatumbrella's thread because I wanted to let her know she wasn't alone and having chickens isn't Happy Fun Time! for everyone.

Sometimes BYC isn't as helpful as it likes to think it is.

I know. I'm sorry. I'll leave it be.

 

[KRack]

I knew I shouldn't have resurrected all this. I had stopped posting anywhere on BYC and was just lurking/reading. I only made a comment in @thecatumbrella's thread because I wanted to let her know she wasn't alone and having chickens isn't Happy Fun Time! for everyone.

Sometimes BYC isn't as helpful as it likes to think it is.

I’m you’re in such a tough spot, seemingly not only with chickens. Praying your eyesight never leaves, and you one day have a beautiful flock to behold and cherish. I don’t say any of that lightly, either. I say it as someone who has experienced unexplainable miracles, that radically transformed my life. I will be praying for those same type of life altering miracles for you.

 

[Nym]

Sell them all and get twice as many bantams My grandfather had to take a 4 x 2 with him into the leghorn coop. First to chase off the roosters, then to get at the eggs.

Miss your weather updates and hope it all works out well for you and your dreams of a happy flock

 

[Nym]

 

[Sefirothe]

My flock is mixed. I have 7 housed in technically room for 9 or 10. Four are from the original group and are two years old. Three were added spring of last year.

I can't free range either.

I've treated for mites, I've rehomed (brown leghorns and black Sumatra breeds never ever again), I've used pinless peepers.

At this point I've given up and have accepted I'll have a ratty scraggly looking flock. And just hope there isn't a literal bloodbath at this fall's molt.

I'm lucky I guess that they aren't actually being overly mean to each other (once the leghorns and sumatra were removed at least). I don't see the feather picking to know who's doing it for sure, but the head hen's feathers even look like crap.

All this to say, you aren't alone!

 

[TOMTE]

My flock is mixed. I have 7 housed in technically room for 9 or 10. Four are from the original group and are two years old. Three were added spring of last year.

I can't free range either.

I've treated for mites, I've rehomed (brown leghorns and black Sumatra breeds never ever again), I've used pinless peepers.

At this point I've given up and have accepted I'll have a ratty scraggly looking flock. And just hope there isn't a literal bloodbath at this fall's molt.

I'm lucky I guess that they aren't actually being overly mean to each other (once the leghorns and sumatra were removed at least). I don't see the feather picking to know who's doing it for sure, but the head hen's feathers even look like crap.

All this to say, you aren't alone!

It makes me sad that so many people have issues with their flocks, because chickens really can be such an amazing and fun experience. And sometimes there just are no answers. Like with any animal, you can do everything right and still end up with chaos. I really hope everybody dealing with a stressful flock situation can get it sorted out.

 

[TOMTE]

I want to apologize to @EmmaDonovan . I really can't imagine the stress you're going through right now. I tend to think out loud a lot but I realize now that it just wasn't helpful at all in this situation, and I'm very sorry for upsetting you. Especially because my thoughts had nothing to do with the question you asked on this thread. I truly didn't mean to be careless, but intent goes out the window when you've ended up hurting somebody. Even if I can't fully understand what you're going through, I feel for you, and I really do hope everything turns out well in the end.