Sigh. Might have to think about just BUYING eggs!

[Rebel Rooster]

Everybody is full of opinions... so here's mine... I wouldn't give up or take a break from it. You will "never" learn everything by reading a book or from getting "expert" opinions here on BYC. There's nothin wrong with trying to get advice, but you will have to find your own groove and stick with whatever works best for you. The best lessons are learned from experience thru trial and error. Some things that work for other folks may not work for you. (My own experience here!) Then "you" will find yourself giving out advice on BYC...

 

[big medicine]

Quote:
A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from someone else's first, and builds on that. Gather as much knowledge as you can, incorperate that in to your managment. You will still make mistakes, but will be light years ahead of blundering along blindly learning on your own, in my opinion.

 

[CluckCluck18]

Hey there
My luck has been bad, too. I got 6 chicks of all different breeds at the end of May. In the first 24 hours, I had coccidiosis hit and lost my RIR chick with a very sick BO who eventually survived. At 2months my SLW turned out to be a roo, complete with very loud crowing.....made a trade and her replacement, an Americana is starting to also look like a roo. Yesterday I had to return my BO, who I saved when she was small and my favorite, Brahma Dot because they are roos and were in a major crowing contest. Today my second RIR who I could have sworn did the egg squat a few days ago now has been crowing her butt off and has the start of tail feathers.......I only have 2 left, a black copper marans and an EE who both are hens (at least I think they are)
I'm trying to not get discouraged and it's been a very hard week, raising them for over 3 months. I know you're not supposed to get attached to them, but good luck with that idea! Not to mention that I just built a beautiful coop and run and have no chickens
I'm not going to give up though and I've had so much fun and happiness in the last few months despite all the challenges.....just got 2 adorable 3 week old Golden Comets and I've heard they are great hens, so I guess I'm officially hooked and planning to soldier on.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

Quote:
As I said, earlier, how do you think the animal kingdom deals with unwanted intrusion, upon their group? And do you think that the intruder gets the point after being stomped on, hooked or ripped to shreds.....Well, my dogs learned the first time, with overwhelming submission, lots of noise and few slaps to the face....Now, who's closer to reality, the person who spends months of effort and worry, and money, trying to keep their dog away from the chickens, or someone who deals with it harshly, for thirty seconds, and never worries about it, ever again?

Royd you are absolutely correct. My hound went after our cat once. Yep once. I gave her the hurricane voice, she dropped, put my hand over her muzzle, held her in that possition, and told her very firmly in the hurricane voice something like no bad dog be good to the kitty. Ever since they all just lay around the back yard happily sharing their space. Only reason I didn't smack her is because she's lives to please the master and complies to all requests. But if she were bullheaded she would have gotten it.

 

[PamB]

Quote:
As I said, earlier, how do you think the animal kingdom deals with unwanted intrusion, upon their group? And do you think that the intruder gets the point after being stomped on, hooked or ripped to shreds.....Well, my dogs learned the first time, with overwhelming submission, lots of noise and few slaps to the face....Now, who's closer to reality, the person who spends months of effort and worry, and money, trying to keep their dog away from the chickens, or someone who deals with it harshly, for thirty seconds, and never worries about it, ever again?

Royd you are absolutely correct. My hound went after our cat once. Yep once. I gave her the hurricane voice, she dropped, put my hand over her muzzle, held her in that possition, and told her very firmly in the hurricane voice something like no bad dog be good to the kitty. Ever since they all just lay around the back yard happily sharing their space. Only reason I didn't smack her is because she's lives to please the master and complies to all requests. But if she were bullheaded she would have gotten it.

Speaking to your dog in a firm voice and putting your hand over her muzzle is A LOT different than giving your dog "a beating" or "a few slaps to the face." But, I see where you said if she were bullheaded "she would have gotten it." I guess I am in the minority on this site. I just can't imagine hitting my dog.