I've fallen out of chicken love

[featherhead007]

This is my first foray into chicken keeping. I have two brown shavers that arrived covered with lice at 22 weeks old. Nearly 3 months later and these guys have never laid an egg in their lives, nor do they show any sign of it. They're happy and healthy (and lice free), and they will now eat a few things other than laying pellets. They didn't know what veges were when they arrived. Had a chicken person come and look at them today, she showed me how to measure between their pin bones. They both at just on one finger. She reckons they're 22 weeks NOW and the breeder lied about their age. Anyway, I've had months of worrying about chickens, trying to create things chickens might like, trying out new veges etc on chickens and generally being all excited about chickens. Now I'm just disappointed and tired and not very into these chickens. I don't really know what to do. Suggestions? Are they likely to lay normally or will they end up having issues because they've been on laying pellets from far too early?

dear not so much chicken lover, just count the times they look you in the eye, you will remember why you got them in the first place.... eggs will come but that's not important

 

[NotSoChickenLove]

Just wanted to say "Hi" from NZ! Having lice probably set your girls back quite a bit. But squatting is a good sign. It'll all be worth it when you find that first egg.

I'm sorry you were lied to about your birds age, and that's terrible that they arrived with creepy crawlies! That's no way to run a business!

Well, perhaps if I'd known more about chickens before I dived in, it wouldn't have happened... I'd know what to look for now.

Do you really think the lice will set them back? I found them and treated them on day one, so they've had a few months parasite free. They really were infested though. The lice were dropping all through the cage I transported them in. Disgusting. No animal of mine, loved or not so much, is going to have to tolerate parasites!

They were supposed to be vaccinated when I got them also. I don't suppose I can trust that either. I'll have to call the local vet (AGAIN) and ask about chicken vaccinating.

 

[Eckielady]

dear not so much chicken lover, just count the times they look you in the eye, you will remember why you got them in the first place.... eggs will come but that's not important

For you that may be so but for some of us we have chickens only for eggs. I like these little critters and they sure do make me laugh but if they weren't giving us eggs to eat we wouldn't have them. Not everyone can afford to (or WANTS to) feed animals that don't give something back.

 

[JaeG]

Well, perhaps if I'd known more about chickens before I dived in, it wouldn't have happened... I'd know what to look for now.

Do you really think the lice will set them back? I found them and treated them on day one, so they've had a few months parasite free. They really were infested though. The lice were dropping all through the cage I transported them in. Disgusting. No animal of mine, loved or not so much, is going to have to tolerate parasites!

They were supposed to be vaccinated when I got them also. I don't suppose I can trust that either. I'll have to call the local vet (AGAIN) and ask about chicken vaccinating.

We've all got to start somewhere and that's where this site is great.

Lice in excess stresses the chicken and puts a strain on their immune system. A laying hen with an infestation of lice or mites will stop laying. But if yours are happy and healthy now they should start laying for you soon. I just can't believe anyone with an ounce of conscience would sell birds in that condition!

I battled mites over summer. That was awful! And they liked the taste of me apparently - so itchy! After wasting my money on all the fancy coop cleaners that are supposed to get rid of them, I finally found a lady down south who mixes her own powder. Just search for Fiordland Cochins if you ever have that problem. (Fingers crossed you won't).

Just so you aren't disappointed at the size of their first eggs they will start out small but they will get bigger.

 

[adstowe]

If you need to increase your desire to keep chickens, you've come to the right place! Keep hanging out on here and talking to us. We're all chicken crazy and it's contagious. You'll be looking for more before you know it. With the suspected age of your pullets and I'm pretty sure you said their combs are red somewhere in the thread, you should be getting eggs any time. Once you start eating those fresh, wonderful eggs you'll never want store eggs again. I went to a restaurant with my girlfriend last week and got eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns etc. and I couldn't even eat the eggs. They were horrible. I complained about them to my girlfriend about them and she said "Really? You're going to complain about the eggs again?! You did that last time we were here." Well, why didn't you tell me that before I ordered them?? LOL

 

[lazy gardener]

Well, perhaps if I'd known more about chickens before I dived in, it wouldn't have happened... I'd know what to look for now.

Do you really think the lice will set them back? I found them and treated them on day one, so they've had a few months parasite free. They really were infested though. The lice were dropping all through the cage I transported them in. Disgusting. No animal of mine, loved or not so much, is going to have to tolerate parasites!

They were supposed to be vaccinated when I got them also. I don't suppose I can trust that either. I'll have to call the local vet (AGAIN) and ask about chicken vaccinating.

I appreciate your honesty. I would suggest that you give it a few more weeks. Sounds like they should be laying by then. Are you a gardener? One of the greatest benefits (IMO) of having chickens is how they benefit the yard: they eat pesty insects, graze and fertilize the lawn, make wonderful compost, provide great companionship when you're out tending the garden. Perhaps you are not a gardener, so all of these plusses are a moot point for you. If your birds start laying, and you find yourself resenting the time spent maintaining these birds, I strongly suggest you sell or rehome them. Life is too short to find yourself married to a hobby that you don't enjoy.

 

[NotSoChickenLove]

I appreciate your honesty. I would suggest that you give it a few more weeks. Sounds like they should be laying by then. Are you a gardener? One of the greatest benefits (IMO) of having chickens is how they benefit the yard: they eat pesty insects, graze and fertilize the lawn, make wonderful compost, provide great companionship when you're out tending the garden. Perhaps you are not a gardener, so all of these plusses are a moot point for you. If your birds start laying, and you find yourself resenting the time spent maintaining these birds, I strongly suggest you sell or rehome them. Life is too short to find yourself married to a hobby that you don't enjoy.

I did an awful lot of reading on how to care for chickens, but I have yet to see an article on how to really pick out a chicken to purchase. All that's really said is to look for signs of illness. Nothing about checking age or condition, or how to check for parasites, or even that you should get a serial number for the vaccinations.

I don't so much resent the time spent maintaining them. I just feel that that time has not paid off, since their primary function for me is eggs. Once they start fulfilling their function, I'll feel better about them. Until a week ago, I thought they might not lay ever or until spring which is 3 months away. I was seriously thinking of culling them and starting with a new two in spring. That's why I called in expert help. She was actually there to show me how to dispatch them.

 

[bobbi-j]

I did an awful lot of reading on how to care for chickens, but I have yet to see an article on how to really pick out a chicken to purchase. All that's really said is to look for signs of illness. Nothing about checking age or condition, or how to check for parasites, or even that you should get a serial number for the vaccinations.

I don't so much resent the time spent maintaining them. I just feel that that time has not paid off, since their primary function for me is eggs. Once they start fulfilling their function, I'll feel better about them. Until a week ago, I thought they might not lay ever or until spring which is 3 months away. I was seriously thinking of culling them and starting with a new two in spring. That's why I called in expert help. She was actually there to show me how to dispatch them.

I appreciate your honesty. I would suggest that you give it a few more weeks. Sounds like they should be laying by then. Are you a gardener? One of the greatest benefits (IMO) of having chickens is how they benefit the yard: they eat pesty insects, graze and fertilize the lawn, make wonderful compost, provide great companionship when you're out tending the garden. Perhaps you are not a gardener, so all of these plusses are a moot point for you. If your birds start laying, and you find yourself resenting the time spent maintaining these birds, I strongly suggest you sell or rehome them. Life is too short to find yourself married to a hobby that you don't enjoy.

I agree with LG. You are not required to keep these chickens if you feel they are not for you. I, too, appreciate your honesty. Give it a few more weeks and see what happens. If you still aren't thrilled about them, find them a new home. It shouldn't be too hard once they've started laying (since it's getting to be winter where you are, a little supplemental lighting wouldn't hurt). Don't feel bad about it, either. If they're not for you, they're not for you.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I agree with LG. You are not required to keep these chickens if you feel they are not for you. I, too, appreciate your honesty. Give it a few more weeks and see what happens. If you still aren't thrilled about them, find them a new home. It shouldn't be too hard once they've started laying (since it's getting to be winter where you are, a little supplemental lighting wouldn't hurt). Don't feel bad about it, either. If they're not for you, they're not for you.

Could not agree more --- chickens, like anything, aren't for everyone and there is nothing wrong with realizing that you are in that group if that is what happens.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

your in winter right now? that could explain why there not laying at the moment. to be fair most birds do not lay during the winter month as there is not enough light. (well here in Canada that is the case), but maybe i could give you some help with a story.

i started raising chickens not knowing much, we really only wanted meat chickens but decided to get layers as well (30 hybrid leghorns at the time) and we did not do enough research on the breed, all in all, we had too many birds for too small of a space, and we had to get rid of half, so we did but they picked each other (killed one chicken picked her to death) so i asked on here if i should get a new flock or stay with my old flock, at the time we where really upset with the breed and not sure if we wanted to kill them or keep them, but in the end we decided to keep them (14 of them), in the end it was worth it, there really nice chickens. (then we got more chickens of different breeds and some ducks)

but hey if chickens are not for you then i would sell them, or if its the breed you could easily sell them and start with a heritage breed)

hope i could help