My bad luck as a chicken owner!

[Jon J]

Back in the summer, I supposedly bought 6 hens and a rooster. Four of the hens turned out to be "roosters"! I finally gave away the rest of my 3 roos yesterday to a neighbor who butchered them to eat. Finally, last night, I had my first peaceful night of sleeping from the ongoing crowing from the roos. They would crow at NIGHT!

And not nary a egg yet from the two hens either. Maybe the roo's were driving them crazy if you know what I mean

.

I was in the yard this morning and one of the hens was trying to crow! a poor attempt at crowing but I yelled "SHUT UP" anyway!

I thinking on getting a pig or hog to raise instead. Oh, I wonder if they "crow"? Just kidding I love bacon/pork chops! I think my checken raising days are over

 

[ibpboo]

Oh no!! Do NOT give up yet! Must try, try again.

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
If you think its bad trying to get the hens to lay, just wait until you try to get the hogs to lay eggs!

 

[chickenma]

I was unhappy with my chickens too. Most of them turned out to be roosters.

And I wanted those eggs really bad.

I even cheated and went and buy me an hen that already layd an egg. Bantam egg, little but an egg.

My DH, kids felt sorry for me.
But now after 8 months of waiting my 2 older hens are laying pretty bleu and green eggs, a nice size too and I'm happy again.
Don't give up yet . If they start laying you will be happy too

Goodluck

 

[Granolamom]

Yeah, I agree, don't give up on them just yet! When we first got our chicklets, we naturally assumed that they were hens, until three out of four started crowing...
We ended up trading 2 roos for 5 more hens (had to pay some extra, of course), but other than our original hen, who hatched in May of this year, none of them are laying yet. Try to look at them as pets, not so much as egglaying machines, and then, when they finally do lay, it'll be like Christmas! Good luck, and DON"T GIVE UP!!!

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Oh the torture of getting roos that you thought were hens. But hey you can not blame the roos, that is what they do, CROW.

I would go to an auction and buy some nice laying hens. It is winter now and they should be going for a nice price. You will not get eggs for some time because it is the winter months. You may get a few and you should be thankfull.

In the spring though, you will be a happy camper and the hens will have settled in. They should be laying about 2 eggs per 3 birds per day.

 

[Grant6411]

Quote:
when life gets you down, get a polish.

 

[draye]

Quote:
Has it gotten any better for you? Are you still in the chicken business?

Just found an old thread and read it, thought it was kinda funny as that is what happened to me about 12 years or so ago. I did get out of chickens for a while but like every time before, I always come back to them.

 

[magicpigeon]

Don't give them back! I originally got chickens for the eggs only too. I thought they were dumb, filthy birds. Well, my opinions changed obviously as I'm nearing 30 birds. Don't give up yet. Maybe they will surprise you