Is it worth it?

[Chickylove12]

HI THERE. I do not have chickens or a coop/run yet..however I have been researching how to keep them and care for them. I have now become nervous about all the diseases they may carry..as well as parasites. Lice..mites..worms..etc. Thinking of myself..my dog etc..is this a given that backyard chickens will have issues? I see so many people enjoying their flocks on these sites..or am I just being paranoid?

 

[theoldchick]

Never hurts to be paranoid! Yes, keeping chickens does require commitment. Learn all you can, formulate a plan, and get to work. Like any living creature, chickens require care. Start with small numbers, build the best coop you can, and enjoy. Once you settle in with your chicken keeping routine all that paranoia will fade away. Yet another reason to enjoy a small flock.

 

[SueT]

I haven't experienced any parasites with mine, and I've had chickens 3 + years. Dogs can have parasites too, and if they get them you deal with it....
I'd say relax, it's going to be okay....

 

[AllenK RGV]

Mine have yet to develop any issues. The only issue I have had with mine are the cockrels developing attitude but that seems all sorted now. A belated welcome to BYC from me!

I do get nervous regarding my flock and their exposure to the local wild birds that my wife enjoys attracting, and to be honest I enjoy seeing the rare ones too just not the hoards of sparrows. Some flock keepers run into problems from time to time and I am sure that with good practice and learning from mistakes most issues can be corrected I would encourage you to keep doing your research then dive in!

 

[cow whisperer]

Hi Chickylove12!
I tend to about 40 chickens ( 35 are laying hens, 3 roosters and 2 babies) on a daily basis. I have never got a disease from them.
I found a really good booklet on my Kindle that's helpful also. It's called "Self Sufficiency" by NANCY ROSS. It's a self sufficiency collection book for beginners: tiny houses, backyard chickens, homesteading and mini farming. If you're able to get it, it might help you with some answers.

 

[Chickylove12]

I have dreamed of having them since being a kid..lol..now 48 with lots of property. Have been reading all about proper design of coop..then when I hit sections about ..flystrike...worms...mites...I actually felt like I was grieving the dream of having chickens. Then I thought..lots of people have them..surely they don' t all get these issues.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I have dreamed of having them since being a kid..lol..now 48 with lots of property. Have been reading all about proper design of coop..then when I hit sections about ..flystrike...worms...mites...I actually felt like I was grieving the dream of having chickens. Then I thought..lots of people have them..surely they don' t all get these issues.

It just hasn't been my experience that they are problematic at all to keep. As a matter of fact here in my first year I have probably made tons of mistakes and they still thrived and have yet to lose a chicken. In that same time we have rescued 7 dogs from the street and lost 2 and almost lost our own due to my silly attempt at rescuing a pit bull that I should have realized was used for fighting due to her torn up face and ears. We are experienced dog folks having kept them all of our lives and can afford to go to the vet, but you can't fix stupid on the dog or previous owners part.

Here is some additional reading material courtesy of the Livestock Conservancy thier pickachicken one is the best.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Also worth a read because it is such a great resource for someone contemplating adding chicken to their property:
https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/heritage-chicken-faq

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Good morning wow however it's not the animals you need to worry about, it's humans. We are a breeding ground of parasites, pathogens, diseases, etc. You would not believe how many are on & in your body, as we speak. So get as many fur & feathered babies you want. It's the humans you need to worry about

 

[Chickylove12]

It just hasn't been my experience that they are problematic at all to keep. As a matter of fact here in my first year I have probably made tons of mistakes and they still thrived and have yet to lose a chicken. In that same time we have rescued 7 dogs from the street and lost 2 and almost lost our own due to my silly attempt at rescuing a pit bull that I should have realized was used for fighting due to her torn up face and ears. We are experienced dog folks having kept them all of our lives and can afford to go to the vet, but you can't fix stupid on the dog or previous owners part.

Here is some additional reading material courtesy of the Livestock Conservancy thier pickachicken one is the best.

It just hasn't been my experience that they are problematic at all to keep. As a matter of fact here in my first year I have probably made tons of mistakes and they still thrived and have yet to lose a chicken. In that same time we have rescued 7 dogs from the street and lost 2 and almost lost our own due to my silly attempt at rescuing a pit bull that I should have realized was used for fighting due to her torn up face and ears. We are experienced dog folks having kept them all of our lives and can afford to go to the vet, but you can't fix stupid on the dog or previous owners part.

Here is some additional reading material courtesy of the Livestock Conservancy thier pickachicken one is the best.

Thankyou @AllenK@new2this you guys have a lot on your plate with the dogs too. Obviously you both have big hearts. Love that you rescue. So no issues with the dogs picking up mites from the chickens. Can you believe I have even already bought medicine for chickens from Tsc as they will not be available off the shelf soon. I have medicine and not even a coop yet. I want to be well prepared.