I'm Thinkin' About Giving Them All Up

[whiterock]

i will check the device tomorrow and get back to you! I think the place to get it and info are inside it!

 

[the Old Rebel]

I never cease to be amazed at the goodness of folks on BYC. I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face, because of your loving concern for me, my feathered family, and my human family.

I take so much heat sometimes from my human family for even having the birds. Can I help it if I was blessed to find my passion when, perhaps, they have yet to find theirs??

THANK YOU soooooo very much for your kind words of love and support. I wrote what I wrote and then logged out. I didn't realize until this morning that the first response came within 4 minutes. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!

I still didn't get a full night's sleep. I'm still weary. But I know I could NEVER part with all of my birds. I have some young ones that I might look for loving homes for.... just to pare down the numbers. My DH would like that. But loving homes are sometimes soooooo hard to come by. Hence the problem of too many birds. Letting the mommies hatch and raise their babies is part of the passion!!

But my breeding stock, the ones we've had lo these many years, will, if God so wills, die here of old age.... I HOPE.... and NOT a mink or weasel.

Anyway, again, I just thank you all for your love and support.

 

[English Chick]

... please dont despair.... I like you until but a few short weeks ago had 100 birds... but due to health reasons and the after effects of the swine flu (which floored me) I too made the decision that I was not caring as well as I should be doing, - I couldn't - it was pure and simple as that... I was lucky, my utility birds all went to the Hen Welfare Trust her in the UK, they have rehomed them for me.. now I have a doz pretty birds and one muscovey duck, my peacock and my two guineas.... it is enough... so please dont feel guilty for wanting to do what is the right thing.. I have been there!.... it is only now that I realise I can give some much more quality time to the girlies I have left, and I am once again totally enjoying being a chicken keep and not just being a chicken slave..... hope it all works out for you......

Linda x

 

[schellie69]

Please wait or just find home for few but don't make major changes when you are sleep deprived or depressed it get all overwhelming and what seems like a great idea now in a few weeks or a month you will regret it, my therapist tell people never make major decision at certain time of great stress due to the fact that we are not seeing the whole pictures, I have chronic depression and when I get really bad I start doing stupid things luckily my DH keeps me from doing anything stupid, maybe you should check into some respite care for your mother, I know here medicaid pays for someone to come for a few hours each day to help care for a sick family member to the care giver a break. You might want to call the insurance company and then there should be something in the phone book under aging, or respite care I would check there that way while some one cares for you mom you could look after the birds, also, give you hubby some other jobs around the house to take the load off, like dishes or vacuuming if you have kids make them do more chores, find a support group call you local mental health place they should be able to help. this might help to have others in your same situation to talk to. I hope things work

at for you see if you can borrow some life traps from the local animal shelter or animal rescue to see if you can catch the pest then or see if there is some one who specialist in catching these type of predators and see if then can catch it, it cost something but, it would be worth it to get a good night sleep hope some of this helps just hang in there and remember this to shall pass, I will be praying for you and sending you postie thoughts.

 

[speckledhen]

There are many online sound recordings, just google "cougar scream" or something similar.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Here where we are the local high school has an FFA and 4H clubs that will earn community service hours by helping "farmers" with their livestock during illnesses or other issues. The school says it teaches the kids we cannot do it all alone that we all need our neighbors sometimes and helps them see the level of commitment animal care takes. Call your local extension office and see if any schools do likewise. Maybe you can get an apprentice for free.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Most things we do because we have to do them. But somethings we do because we enjoy and love to do them. You love your chickens.
Just smile and say "I am keeping my chickens because they make me happy" to anyone who tells you otherwise.

And do look for some help. People like to help.

 

[EweSheep]

Like the others, I would not give up but just cut back the numbers you are comfortable with like less than 12 girls and maybe two roos would be sufficent for you to care for your family but still have the chickens.

We all have been thru it a few times and you will not regret your decision in keeping your chickens on your place.

 

[debilorrah]

I am so glad you are feeling better today about it. Sometimes, when predators attack, when people make fun of you, when no one understands "chicken people", it gets to be a bit much. You always have BYC people here that "get" you. I am lucky - my hubby started it!

 

[bwebb7]

You are right, this is the greatest place to come to. We are lucky we all found each other!