I'm getting excited again.

[TheOLDNewChick]

After being almost completely chickenless for the last 5-6 months due to predator attacks, I think I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. I took a break because I was simply tired of losing chicken after chicken, especially after putting in so much time, effort, and not to mention money (which is the sucky part when you're a not-quite-legal teenager with a less than part-time minimum wage job & bills to pay.) just to have it all eliminated bit by bit. A good bit of my predator problem got taken care of this hunting season. The weather has been nice these last few days so I've been out working on the chicken yard & house, working on things that need to be fixed. It's a slow going process, a lot of stuff needing to be done, no financial means for new things & almost no resources to use...plus I'm the only one to work on it. But, I made a small dent in it today (very small), but it's progress. I figure I'll have everything fixed how I want it and as predator proof as I can get it by the middle to the end of March. Here's to hoping, anyway.

The best part about all of this and my useless rambling, you ask? I'm actually excited again. I'm looking forward to starting over. I just thought I'd share the news.

 

[Msbear]

Kimmie, I didn't know you were having such problems. It's probably good you gave it a break so you can let the predators forget you have dinner ready and to prepare for new chickies.

Im glad you're excited and in good spirits. Welcoming the new arrivals will make it all worth it!

 

[michickenwrangler]

Awesome

I've been wanting to supplement our flock and been dropping the hint to DH. He keeps saying he doesn't want me to get any from a hatchery. A few days ago, he said something about "I wonder what our cochin rooster would do with our red sex link hens" (not his exact words). He said something about getting an incubator. I asked, "So if we get an incubator, can I hatch eggs?"

"Well, yeah."

Incubator got ordered today!

 

[chocolate m'scovy]

Keep at it, OLDNewChick!

 

[TheOLDNewChick]

Quote:
Hey Erin.

Yeah, it's been pretty rough these past eight or nine months as far as critters go. I have one RIR hen that's been with me for almost three years now. I was getting burnt out. I didn't want to let the frustration and repetitive loss make me end up hating one of the things I love the most.

I've got my eye on a new incubator (not sure what happened to my other one...I think my dad may have chunked it) I would LOVE to get the end of this summer. So, we'll see what happens.

 

[TheOLDNewChick]

Quote:
That's cool! Thumbs up to the hubby for being supportive (and sounds like a little bit enthusiastic, too.). You're gonna have tons of fun with your incubator. I love hatching, period. But I most enjoyed collecting eggs from my mixed flock & hatching to see what came out of it. I got some really sweet, well laying, pretty birds. Of course I got a few of the opposite, but you know.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Sorry for you losses

We've lost a few too- and it SUCKS!

One thing I learned- invest in welded wire! Forget chicken wire! Coons can rip through that stuff like it's cardboard. It may cost a little more to start- but it will save countless pets from becoming dinner