Just Curious about "hobby people" vs raisers...

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

For many of us, our flocks are more pets than "stocks" and I'm sure we have a different perspective.

Don't get me wrong. I grew up on a ranch and my dad, although a cop by day was into "production" and never really showed emotion like I do.

When I restarted my flock 18 months ago, I was less practical than I am now. The first 6 hens I lost to an "unknown disease", then a predator, really sucked. It suck less now that my flock has grown to 16 hens and a rooster.

Lost 2 pullets to a hawk few weeks ago and one of my chick died in my had while trying to hydrate her (she had splayed legs), another one just "disappeared" overnight.

Long story short, I wonder if people on here who have been in the "biz" for a while and raise large flocks kinda roll their eyes when reading some of "those" posts

I kinda draw the line before that.. but does look cool :

 

[Sirens04]

I like you am a sap. I have a very small flock and haven’t lost any but it is a daily fear. And even though my rooster is a total jerk I can’t get rid of him for fear of what future he may face. Dumb stupid Silkie is too adorable for a pot.

 

[BYCforlife]

I am still sad when one of my chickens die, but as long as I didn't mistreat them before they died, I feel no guilt. I definitely never roll my eyes at chick/chicken deaths, because even one death is a lot for many people, including me.

 

[Kessel23]

I am not really a "raiser" it is more of just a hobby to keep me busy. I do not think I have made/saved any money in recent years from raising poultry. I have raised a lot of it though and the deaths do not upset me that much. I did get pretty stressed out this spring when my chicks got coccidiosis and 7 of them died. Of course they would have died from Marek's disease in a few weeks anyways when it appeared and killed more than half of the chicks that year. Usually when a bird dies now I pretty much go like "That sucks" then toss em in the woods.
I still get stressed out when a lot are dying at once and I can't stop it (Like Marek's disease) I also get kinda stressed out when a bird is sick and I am trying to save it but failing. But no I do not roll my eyes at others who are upset about losing their pets, it will effect everyone differently.

 

[elmoflim]

My dad always told me if you can count how many you have the deaths will effect you, but if you have too many to count(name,) you become more numb to it. I feel like that’s the truest for hobby vs raisers.

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

My dad always told me if you can count how many you have the deaths will effect you, but if you have too many to count(name,) you become more numb to it. I feel like that’s the truest for hobby vs raisers.

LOL yes..

My wife's grand-father who's 91yo and kicking (he's coming next week and will probably spend 3 days trimming the palm trees) says "if you name 'em, you can't eat em... so don't name 'em"... OldShool

When my Dark Brahma "SilverStreaks" passed in Jan I went apesh*t... She showed no sign of anything and just collapsed, I tried to keep her warm and hydrate her, no go; convulsed and passed. On the flip side, found her in distress while doing a midnight check so at least she was taken care of at the end and didn't passed face down in the coop. Kinda how I look at it. She was amazing had show credentials breed, perfect everything... and sweet as hell.

Can't fight nature much but can do your best to give them a good life. Kinda like kids .

 

[perchie.girl]

I am kind of old school... I don't name my birds unless they name themselves... Like Waylin Willie and Bubba... Three roos I wound up with a flock with a land-race flock. of hens. Then there was Momma hen little Black Bantam ornery as Heck but a good momma....

I also don't handle them except a cursory examination for boo boos and hangers on... mites. I try to not Anthropomorphize with them. But as a writer I often do characterizations of them and speak for them when they Awk Awk at me.... LOL

I raise for eggs for me... and to share with neighbors. as well as the dogs and the wild life. I place the extras in a tub on the top of the roof of the coop and watch as the Ravens come in and do take out.

I have lost four flocks now to predation.... Loose dog, Coyotes, and bobcat.... Since I got Guineas the predation was kept at bay for a while But they too were picked off.

I am sad to loose em but pragmatic enough to understand that it was either out of my control or a failure on my part to do my job as a care giver. Throughout my years as a person who would rather spend time with animals than people I have learned that their lives are something that is just out of our control.

I am looking on collecting social Security in the next year and eventually moving back to my ramshakle place in the mountain... Where upon I will start up myh flock again armed with what I have learned here on BYC and a few other things that came from the internet.

My philosphy will be the same Chickens for eggs and entertainment... Dogs as Guardians.... Guineas as back up and for a bit of an income. Keets always sell.

Aviary netting to cover the run area Hardware cloth covered cattle panels for the Knee wall. Goat fencing around all that With Hotwire placed top and bottom inside and out.

Then horse hot wire around the corral and any turn out areas I want to use.

I have

Bob cat
Mountain lion
Raccoons
Weasels I am sure
Coyotes
Feral dogs
and People

Then there are the Fly bys
Owls
Hawks
Falcons
Ravens Yes ravens will pick off a chick now and then. But they tend to overlap territory with hawks... and Vultures.

NONE of which will make me want to kill them. Even rattle snakes I have been known to carefully relocate. Each predator has a territory that keeps other predators at bay. The fence will teach them not to mess with my livestock. Yet let them have their natural territory.

All that being said... I wouldn't eat my egg layers or their accompanying roos they have a home for life... But I will raise up some meaties and eat those. As well as an over abundance of Guineas.

deb

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

Great post Deb.. my favorite part is "...and people"

I like your approach. it is, beyond what we do daily, out of our control. I've relocated plenty of critters too. I had a raven too stuck in their run once. Caught him and let him go in the front yard. They're pretty smart and I read somewhere they're very grateful.

Enjoy retirement! When the wife asks me what my plan is for retirement my answer is "less ppl, more nature"

 

[perchie.girl]

as an engineer I lived in Whack a mole Cubicles... No privacy except that which three walls could give you. I crave Sky and dirt. And identifying herbs that grow on my land. Most of which are medicinal

Still love designing things. I build them If something is needed... built three quarters of a harness from old found parts... good enough for training... and messing around with pulling poles.

And people.... I am two miles from the border and two miles from paved road... In an area that is noted for Meth and is a target for releasing people from prison... Remote... How they are ever going to get work Oh I get illegals... But they are just passing through heading to the road. Its the locals I have to watch out for.

I do have a shotgun... When I go back I am going to have to learn to use it.... Not many people don't know the sound of a shot gun being cocked. I was taught never to point a gun unless you are ready to use it. A philosophy my dad taught me. But I had never touched a gun till I bought this one.

Thankfully the Border patrol and the local Sheriff are quick to show up if there is trouble. Dogs will warn me... Livestock guardian dogs will protect everything that they perceive is under their charge. Some will include humans... But I also want a Rottie for that.

deb heading to bed

 

[perchie.girl]

Great post Deb.. my favorite part is "...and people"

I like your approach. it is, beyond what we do daily, out of our control. I've relocated plenty of critters too. I had a raven too stuck in their run once. Caught him and let him go in the front yard. They're pretty smart and I read somewhere they're very grateful.

Enjoy retirement! When the wife asks me what my plan is for retirement my answer is "less ppl, more nature"

Hey did you ever decide on the place to pack up and move to?

deb