The Front Porch Swing

[Blooie]

Blooie is right ... it isn't "helpful" when you come to BYC looking for information on how to cope with a bird situation and instead of getting information about that you get scolded and criticized on a personal level. Well ... I suppose doing the scolding and criticizing somehow "helps" the people who pounce on any opportunity to scold & criticize, but that seems very, very beside the point to me.

I don't think anybody honest is ever going to say "I did it all perfectly from day one." But it does take a particularly generous person to share details of their learning curve with others. Many of us are here to learn, and still have a lot of gaps in what we know. It is lovely to be teachable.

I wasn't being critical of the forums here necessarily - I was trying to point out that when I already know what I was doing isn't the easiest or the "right" way and problems result, it's pointless to come here and ask. I already know the answer if I'd take an honest look at what I was doing, so there's no point letting myself in for the dressing down. My dad would call that "pi***ng in my path of progress." True, sometimes when I read some of the responses to new owners who are in a panic, I want to jump in there and say, "Gee, must be nice to have come from the womb knowing it all - being able to skip the 'beginner' part completely and just go straight to expert who's never made a stupid decision or mistake. Help the OP learn instead of driving him away, and he'll know better next time." But I know better than to get involved in that kind of discussion. Besides, right after I said that I didn't want to hear what I might get for responses if I posted a question, I turned around and said that I'd like to be at the chick display and stop people from doing dumb things - so I guess that makes me guilty of "instant expertism" too. (Like that term? I made that up, but I may add it to my dictionary!) Easy to do.

I like the way I can come to the Porch and be gently corrected or advised without feeling stupid and without those responding looking mean spirited. When I made the mistakes with my coop and suggestions were made, I was totally free to use those that fit my situation (which I did) and ignore those that didn't. I know that I'm the one living here, and I know that what works for one person's area might not work for mine. Does it make the suggestions bad? Nope - they were all good suggestions. It's just that some didn't fit and I said so because here I could. What makes the Porch special is that it didn't turn into a session of blast, blast back, and blast harder to prove a point. I like that so many of you are enthusiastic about trying new things and doubly so when it comes to sharing them. Telling us what worked and what you'd do differently works a lot better than telling us we are dumb for not doing it your way. I've learned more here than on all the other forums because I come away with the message instead of dwelling on the attitude of the messenger.

I'll be using a combination of ideas from the Porch when we start building the run - both because they are sensible and will save me time on the learning curve and because they were offered with humor, affection and kindness. I've used Bee's suggestions about lowering the pop door and making my own waterer. I didn't take her suggestion about windows on the North or bigger windows, I explained why, and guess what? She still likes me! Some of you will be "dog training" together. All of you are amazing.

 

[Beekissed]

I don't like you....I LURV you!

To tell you the truth it nigh bowls me over when anyone takes any suggestion I may make because here where I live not one single person ever listens to anything I say. Truly. Even about medical issues. They have a nurse who's been in the biz for almost 20 yrs but will ask their college roommate about medical issues and take their word as gospel. True story!

I guess that comes with the territory of being the youngest in the family....no one...and I do mean no one...even lets me complete a sentence, let alone listens to what I may be saying. That anyone here ever listens still amazes me and makes me feel so humbled and grateful that I would send you a box of Krispy Kremes if I could!

I love it when folks here give me good advice...it's free and I use so much of it, you would not believe! I don't know how I got by with chickens until I met some of the OTs on BYC. Just like this incubation thread....I'd have been lost if I hadn't had some of the experienced people to tell me about water wigglers, air cells, humidity, etc.

Things I learned on BYC that I didn't know about and started using in my flock keeping: deep litter, killing cones, water nipples, and about a thousand other little things I'm too old and forgetful to list here but the upshot of it is that I am loving that all those out there with advice gave it so freely and I have benefited from it so greatly.

 

[LindaB220]

Thanks! I do feel a contentment that I didn't feel with them before. I knew if I came to the Porch and put my feet up for a bit, and tried to explain what I was feeling, you guys would "get it". It's sure easier to pick up on individual personalities emerging in the chickens now that they're in the coop as well. Jane the Evil has become Jane the Explorer. I think the only thing wrong with her before was that she was overcrowded, she saw me as a threat when I would come it to take her away from her brooder, and she had no where to escape from me. Fight or flight, I guess. I've not had one problem with her or Rose and Charlie since they went outside.

The two little Sussex, a good 2 weeks younger than the rest, were the first to get up on the roost last night, and they loved it up there. The others quickly followed, but if I hadn't seen this happen, I would still be thinking of them as the "babies" and not realizing that they are pretty inquisitive, bold little chickens who just happen to be smaller. Gladys the EE and one of the little Speckled Sussex are inseparable...if you see one, you see them both. Gladys is so patient with her - letting her snuggle close and (here I KNOW I'm going to sound crazy) when I tossed some treats out this morning Gladys found some, made some kind of weird, quiet sound that was almost like a growl, and the little one ran right over to her and they nibbled on the veggies together. I could swear that Gladys was telling her, "Over here, sweetie..."

I've learned a lot about overcrowding in the brooder. I know I got lucky - no feather, eye, or toe pecking and a few bumping chests contests was as physical as they got with each other. I learned that it would be so easy to give up on keeping chickens forever with chicks packed in like sardines......there's no place for them to go to get way from each other, the additional work to keep the brooder clean is awful, but clean it has to be or the stench and moon dust very quickly becomes unbearable. When a person isn't prepared for that it would be so easy to give up - to say, "I can't do this! This is more hassle and unpleasantness than it's worth." I learned that they can't learn to do "chicken things" when they aren't allowed to be chickens. And 99% of my water tipping issues was because they were so big that they'd crowd around it and in the pushing and shoving they'd knock it over. That was entirely my fault, first of all because the brooder was too small, second because I didn't exercise any self control and only get the number of chicks that I as a total beginner could handle, and third, I tried over think everything else.

So maybe, just maybe, it was a good thing that I started out so wrong with them and they thrived despite my mistakes. I have seen first hand and quickly that the chick raising is the hard part if you let it be the hard part, and I know that not all of the answers to my difficulties can be found on BYC. Many of them yes, but there's no point asking a question when you know full well that the answer is going to be the same from all of those who respond, "You are stupid. Your chicks are going to die. You don't have enough room for that many." Can't get irritated because they would be right, even if that response didn't answer my initial question. I'd love to stand beside the chick displays at the feed stores when an impeccably groomed and dressed Mommy and Daddy are in with their beautiful little children, choosing chicks on the spur of the moment because they are "so cute". I'd like to show them pictures of the dust. I'd like to tell them, "That waterer will cause you no end of grief trying to keep it upright and clean, so don't buy the ones they want to sell you here, make your own." I'd like to say, "Do NOT bring home those chicks unless you are prepared for total commitment to their well being well past the fluffy stage, and made doggone sure your coop is ready first, not as an afterthought."

So now the chickens are outside being chickens and I'm inside. I can get them fed, watered, maybe turn over the litter, let them out, and I can sit down and maybe get another block done on my quilt or write another chapter for my book, which has been sadly neglected, before it's time to go out and put them in for the night. And when the sun is shining on Agatha's pretty feathers, it's a sight to see.

Maybe when you see someone needing a little advice you say "Here's what I did wrong."

 

[LindaB220]

I don't like you....I LURV you!

To tell you the truth it nigh bowls me over when anyone takes any suggestion I may make because here where I live not one single person ever listens to anything I say. Truly. Even about medical issues. They have a nurse who's been in the biz for almost 20 yrs but will ask their college roommate about medical issues and take their word as gospel. True story!

I guess that comes with the territory of being the youngest in the family....no one...and I do mean no one...even lets me complete a sentence, let alone listens to what I may be saying. That anyone here ever listens still amazes me and makes me feel so humbled and grateful that I would send you a box of Krispy Kremes if I could!

I love it when folks here give me good advice...it's free and I use so much of it, you would not believe! I don't know how I got by with chickens until I met some of the OTs on BYC. Just like this incubation thread....I'd have been lost if I hadn't had some of the experienced people to tell me about water wigglers, air cells, humidity, etc.

Things I learned on BYC that I didn't know about and started using in my flock keeping: deep litter, killing cones, water nipples, and about a thousand other little things I'm too old and forgetful to list here but the upshot of it is that I am loving that all those out there with advice gave it so freely and I have benefited from it so greatly.

And here, we listen to your every word. I've not found any incorrect ones.

 

[Beekissed]

And here, we listen to your every word. I've not found any incorrect ones.

Oh, please don't say that!!! I reread my posts sometimes and correct them when I can and throw up my hands when it's just too big of a mess. I pray that no one thinks that I do things perfect because it's out of my very imperfections that I have learned enough to tell others about some things to do with chickens. I haven't even scratched the surface of what there is to learn about this specie of animal yet, so I wouldn't like the responsibility of folks thinking I have all the answers because I just don't.

Someone called me a know it all once on the OT thread and I had to laugh! I don't know it all....I know a lot..but it ain't much when you see how much there really is to know. If anyone ever gets to the point that they think they know it all, that's the first indication that they know nothing, because only God knows it all.

 

[Blooie]

Oh, please don't say that!!! I reread my posts sometimes and correct them when I can and throw up my hands when it's just too big of a mess. I pray that no one thinks that I do things perfect because it's out of my very imperfections that I have learned enough to tell others about some things to do with chickens. I haven't even scratched the surface of what there is to learn about this specie of animal yet, so I wouldn't like the responsibility of folks thinking I have all the answers because I just don't.

Someone called me a know it all once on the OT thread and I had to laugh! I don't know it all....I know a lot..but it ain't much when you see how much there really is to know. If anyone ever gets to the point that they think they know it all, that's the first indication that they know nothing, because only God knows it all.

My dad used to tell us, when we'd get a little big for our britches, "Be smart enough to recognize how smart you aren't. That's step one to education."

 

[Beekissed]

Well...sitting here waiting to hear from the man about a dog. Chicks are all anxious to get out of the brooder...they just can't stand seeing the bigger birds out there in freedom and they all line up on a little hay ledge and watch the world go by. They are going to be some big ol' meat birds...one, in particular, is HUGE.

Got the back of the truck set up so this dog can be tied in and cannot jump out...the fella said he doesn't like to ride in vehicles, so this is just insurance against accidents.

Getting 6 eggs per day now and all in the nests, which surprises me out of this wild bunch...I fully expected them to lay in the bush after living there for most of their lives. It's good to know they are going to lay in the nests and I won't have to hunt for eggs.

Checked old Mama hen the other night while I was up in the coop to see if there has been any recurrence of lice and her skin was clean as a whistle...no flakes of skin, even. Healthy, clean feathering and good skin. Haven't had lice in the flock since I dusted them with the Pyrethrin that one time. Good to have one time treatments that work. I'll check the rest of the flock soon as my back is feeling sparkier. Everyone looks in peak condition with red combs and wattles, looks to be blowing their winter coat a little...finding fine and fuzzy feathers in the nest boxes now.

Will candle my nest box tonight because folks said on Day 10 is when you see the most chick activity, so really want to see that. How's everyone's hatches going?

Just 12 more days for mine and that ain't no time at all when you think about it.

 

[enola]

Amen to that! I'm still learning!

And as long as you have chickens you will continue to learn new things - as long as you keep an open mind

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Bad day getting worse. Was let know that I am not wanted on BYC (not in this thread). I don't need that. I just ask questions and try to be helpful. I understand where BYC gets the reputation that it has now. I'm outta here.

I hope you ladies enjoy your time on the porch. It was nice to visit. Thank you for being nice.

 

[Blooie]

Bad day getting worse. Was let know that I am not wanted on BYC (not in this thread). I don't need that. I just ask questions and try to be helpful. I understand where BYC gets the reputation that it has now. I'm outta here.

I hope you ladies enjoy your time on the porch. It was nice to visit. Thank you for being nice.

You're not gonna let someone whose fingers are faster than their brains drive you off, are you? C'mon...you're made of sterner stuff than that!!! Want we should go beat 'em up???