Is it worth it?

[Chullicken]

Oh yes..I realize there will be no taking off. I love animals..and have done a lot of bird rescue ..wild ones..in my twenties. But chickens..have always been what I dreamed of having...not for eggs..not for meat..but to simply love em and enjoy them. I really do appreciate the honesty of everyone here. It can't be a fleeting fancy..it is a commitment..that can bring joy..sadness..and yah maybe horror...which leads back to my post..Is it really worth it? I think it sounds like the joy outweighs the nasty stuff judging by the response.

I will say..I worry more than I ever did and I was a diary farmer for a few years. I wake up at odd times of the night sometimes and shine a light out my window to check on them. Sometimes a see a feather out of place and I spend hours taking photos and researching, I get paranoid. I spend my weekends trying to figure out how to make the perfect chicken coop, the perfect toys, the perfect this or that...I love it. Is it worth all that? Sure the hell is. But alas, only one person in the world can really answer this question for you. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. =)

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Banty, I've never had any problems with my australorps, personally, and they are often suggested as cold hardy breeds. The hens never seemed to get those famous big combs, especially because I do not supplement light in winter. Their combs would get big and red in the summer and shrink down in the fall a little. They were always smaller than my Ameraucana rooster's comb come fall. I am not too far south of the OP (I'm in NE Ohio), and get -10 easy every winter.
The leghorns, though, ugh. Those big combs and loooong legs are just the worse. D:

But hey, to each their own. Everyone's situation is different. The orp/lorps work great for me.

 

[Chullicken]

Varies bird to bird and line to line, but in general they're lousy layers. I'd love to find one that laid well!

It sure does. I would go nuts without my birds. I have only had chickens since 2014 or 13, but I have had parakeets my whole life. They're rather like crabby mini chooks.

You had me at ..'mini crabby chooks' lol

 

[BantyChooks]

Aww..I am sorry. That is sad..but she was one loved duck and that is beautiful.

She sure was. Her name was Chrissy.

I have another duck (Hailey) indoors right now for bumblefoot treatment. I keep calling her Chrissy, silly ol' forgetful me.

Birds can be heartbreaking but they give you so much joy in between those moments of awful. No love without loss; no gain without risk. I have more losses and issues because I have quite the large flock size and sometimes a less than perfect setup.

 

[Chickylove12]

I will say..I worry more than I ever did and I was a diary farmer for a few years. I wake up at odd times of the night sometimes and shine a light out my window to check on them. Sometimes a see a feather out of place and I spend hours taking photos and researching, I get paranoid. I spend my weekends trying to figure out how to make the perfect chicken coop, the perfect toys, the perfect this or that...I love it. Is it worth all that? Sure the hell is. But alas, only one person in the world can really answer this question for you. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. =)

Your reaction would totally be me too.

 

[Chullicken]

Your reaction would totally be me too.

Pull that trigger! lol Be a chicken nut mom and have nutty chats with us.

 

[BantyChooks]

Banty, I've never had any problems with my australorps, personally, and they are often suggested as cold hardy breeds. The hens never seemed to get those famous big combs, especially because I do not supplement light in winter. Their combs would get big and red in the summer and shrink down in the fall a little. They were always smaller than my Ameraucana rooster's comb come fall. I am not too far south of the OP (I'm in NE Ohio), and get -10 easy every winter.
The leghorns, though, ugh. Those big combs and loooong legs are just the worse. D:

But hey, to each their own. Everyone's situation is different. The orp/lorps work great for me.

Oh, they'd definitely be just fine at -10F. It's when the 10 day forecast shows -30c over and over again that even the hens start losing points.

Ameraucanas, nice! What variety? I have Silvers.

 

[Chickylove12]

She sure was. Her name was Chrissy.

I have another duck (Hailey) indoors right now for bumblefoot treatment. I keep calling her Chrissy, silly ol' forgetful me.

Birds can be heartbreaking but they give you so much joy in between those moments of awful. No love without loss; no gain without risk. I have more losses and issues because I have quite the large flock size and sometimes a less than perfect setup.

Yes..having done wild bird rescue in the past..(dont worry..I don' t now)..I know some live..some die..I just did my best for them ..prayed they lived...and trusted God on His authority over life..and euthanized if that' is what I felt I was led to do. It' can be sad...but I think there is so much joy too.

 

[KariR]

I was a little nervous at first too, but as with anything you decide to take on there is a learning curve. I love my birds and can't imagine a life without them. Once you get going upkeep is a breeze! Sure an issue may arise from time to time, or you may lose a bird or 2, the rewards are worth it. Chickens are peaceful creatures, they have a calming affect on any property I think. Be nervous but do it anyway!

 

[BantyChooks]

Yes..having done wild bird rescue in the past..(dont worry..I don' t now)..I know some live..some die..I just did my best for them ..prayed they lived...and trusted God on His authority over life..and euthanized if that' is what I felt I was led to do. It' can be sad...but I think there is so much joy too.

You sound like you'd be a great chook owner, with that outlook.

Took me a while to accept that I can't save every little life that God puts into my hands. I'm at peace with it now though.