The biggest problem raising chickens (an other livestock for that matter)

[Mrs. K]

To me, the biggest problem is not either winter or veterinary care, to me the biggest problem is predators! ugh!

It can be so discouraging, to try so hard, and be sure THIS time you got it right.... only to walk down there. AND IT IS ALWAYS your favorite.

I have had a flock several times, but now continuously for 12 years.... never has winter been a problem for me, I like getting outside. And in all that time, I have only ever had one sick chicken. Must be luck.

However, I only have a dozen or less birds. One has to be careful, or instead of being a hobby, it can become work.

Mrs K

 

[rosemarythyme]

To me, this is the hardest part, feeling tied down. If we're home, which we are most of the time, no problem. But when something comes up, such as visitors, traveling, special events, emergencies, delays....someone has to be here to take care of the chickens at specific times.

I have to admit, in large part due to animals we no longer do "family" vacations. I travel on my own, and hubby travels on his own if he wants (we really only go to visit family and friends). Doesn't bother us as neither one of us likes traveling. But in case we both needed to be away, I did set up the chicken area to be as self sufficient as possible - auto door, no need to add feed or water for up to 4 days. A rollaway nest box would be the last thing I'd need, though so far we've been able to ask a neighbor to come and get eggs once a day.

 

[Acre4Me]

Very true sentiments!

This winter as we were closing in on 1 year of having chickens, we had already decided to get rid of a few chickens to make room for others in the spring. However, we figured the weather would be too terrible to go to the auction, and figured not too many people would respond to an add in Jan/Feb so we would have to keep them them until April. As it happened, the one nice day in early Jan happened to coincide with a livestock auction near me. Stayed up late making some cages for the birds, got up early so they could be checked in for the auction and all 9 sold! The last few months of Polar Vortex and too much rain, wind and cold, and I'll admit I'm glad I got rid of those few chickens we didn't plan to keep in January! We still had 11 chickens to care for through the winter, but it was a little easier.

 

[woodmort]

The above should be a cautionary tale to those getting started in chickens (and other livestock) especially if you're a first-timer. We told you so. Also note: we're all still keeping them,

 

[woodmort]

I have to admit, in large part due to animals we no longer do "family" vacations. I travel on my own, and hubby travels on his own if he wants (we really only go to visit family and friends). Doesn't bother us as neither one of us likes traveling. But in case we both needed to be away, I did set up the chicken area to be as self sufficient as possible - auto door, no need to add feed or water for up to 4 days. A rollaway nest box would be the last thing I'd need, though so far we've been able to ask a neighbor to come and get eggs once a day.

Luckily our grandkids were always close enough so an overnight trip was as long as we needed to be away. I have 2 waterers--one 5 and the other 8 gallon--and two 25-pound feeders so I can load those up and leave the birds locked up for a couple of days if need be. We do the same thing with our two indoor cats. I don't worry about the eggs, they can can be washed before use. One year I left 8 day-one chicks with enough supplies to last for a week at Disney World and they all survived. I just worried about flight cancellations and delays.

 

[woodmort]

I think I drove near Oxford not long ago; I should have askt to see your set up.

I doubt it would have been the highlight of your trip to Oxford.

 

[Kris5902]

The above should be a cautionary tale to those getting started in chickens (and other livestock) especially if you're a first-timer. We told you so. Also note: we're all still keeping them,

I wouldn’t trade it for a Hawaiian vacation (bucket list goal), a social life (don’t really miss it), or the ability to sleep in occasionally (ok, that I miss)! I love my chickens, their eggs, and meat... granted it’s less physically demanding than most other livestock, but it’s still something you have to dedicate and commit to.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yup. Folks who raise yolks are about a half-bubble off plumb, I reckon. But finer folk you'd be hard-pressed to find. They're home bodies, early risers, committed, kind, dedicated, and have a fine sense of humor. They're compassionate and not scared of hard work. They have integrity and something called True Grit. They'll anguish over a sick or injured bird and stay up all night doctoring it. They'll weep and pray and cuss over a bird injured by a neighbor's dog or stay up late gently massaging an impacted crop. Chicken folk care about their birds in all weather, at all times. They may know them all by name and personality. They love them and each one is unique. When you take on the responsibility for something small and vulnerable, something happens to you. You become its caretaker, its guardian, in a way, its parent. It is a job not to be entered into lightly.

 

[SueT]

Yup. Folks who raise yolks are about a half-bubble off plumb, I reckon. But finer folk you'd be hard-pressed to find. They're home bodies, early risers, committed, kind, dedicated, and have a fine sense of humor. They're compassionate and not scared of hard work. They have integrity and something called True Grit. They'll anguish over a sick or injured bird and stay up all night doctoring it. They'll weep and pray and cuss over a bird injured by a neighbor's dog or stay up late gently massaging an impacted crop. Chicken folk care about their birds in all weather, at all times. They may know them all by name and personality. They love them and each one is unique. When you take on the responsibility for something small and vulnerable, something happens to you. You become its caretaker, its guardian, in a way, its parent. It is a job not to be entered into lightly.

This is lovely! If you haven't written a book, you should!

 

[aart]

some people don't take this into consideration when they buy those cute little fuzz butts in April only to have them turn into giant PIA's in January.

Absolutely! Why I always ask about location, and about snow management....often the reply is "huh, I didn't think about snow".

Her plan, which she now admits, was that I'd be the one taking care of them. I knew that as soon as she mentioned a milk goat. I knew I was never in danger of that happening if she first had to actually do 30 days straight taking care of goats.

To me, this is the hardest part, feeling tied down.

Yup, tho I don't really care to travel.... the fact that I can't can really grate at times...and folks without livestock just.don't.get.it.