The ups & downs of novice chicken owners.

[Candyhl]

Ok, I believe in all the qualities and benefits of BACV, but what does it do for chicks? Just wondering because even though I was raised with chickens, that was years ago and I will be 46 on Saturday and am gathering any information I can for successful chickens so I can start my own. I can't wait

 

[KnobbyOaks]

Just found this thread and subscribed. I will need to finish reading it this evening as I have to work outside on my coop and finish the garden. I got my day-old chicks (8 of them) last Wednesday so I'm identifying with a lot of what you are going through. This is my first experience with chickens and I do not have the benefit of having anyone with the experience of your mother-in-law. (Though my in-laws and husband lived in Andrews many years ago) How wise you and your husband were to realize the benefits of rural living. Being a city girl all my life, I moved out to the "country" about 7 months ago and so happy I did. Keeps me young......and tired. HaHa!

 

[Briezeechicks]

Your stories are great! I would hope that when you are done with your move you take the time to save everything you write to continue your own journal. With all the wisdom and information that has been handed down to you, and your own, your children and grandchildren will have generations of information and stories to cherish.

Actually that's a pretty good idea. I have not done that, but it's very early in my chicken-keeping career. I could certainly do that!

OMG I just got goosebumps reading this! You are blessed with his wisdom and experience, and he has been blessed with someone to carry on his knowledge. Treasure this always

And treasure it I will. He is like the male version of my Mother-In-Law! So very patient with all our questions, and long suffering with his answers..."The only dumb question I can recall..." he said on my visitation day, "Is the one not asked because someone thought it was stupid! Ask your questions! That's how you learn!" My M-I-L was the same way. When she took me "under her wing," long before I met her son who became my husband, she taught a bullheaded, hot headed, belligerent teen, how to cope with the ways of a world that wasn't exactly supportive of kids like her. That was me! Now that I am older, and have kids of my own, and want them to have all the chances that I did not, I fall back on her words of wisdom, her patience and kindness many times a day. It has held us all in good stead. But on the other hand, I feel like sometimes I'm in competition with a ghost! I just hope, that through the years, I can do as well as she and Mr. Welling have done by our chickens! I'm trying my best, and that's all I can do!

Brie

 

[Briezeechicks]

I did NOT get the "Dominecker Domicile" as the kids are now calling it finished yesterday (PTA meeting). I set up the rabbit cages, putting feed sacks over the wire mesh bottoms, and covering that with a layer of straw. I put a box in the corner of each one with a "door cut in it and put a drop light with a 60 watt bulb in each one. The thermometer only registered 85 last evening when we left the pens, and I was up twice to check on them...I got worried that 6 chicks to the box wasn't enough to keep them warm. On my 2nd trip out there, the temp had gotten up to 90 in the box w/ the thermometer, so I relaxed a bit, and this morning everybody was out before daylight stuffing themselves, so guess everything is copacetic! I think I will set up another string of 3 cages this afternoon, and take 18 more out of the brooder. I sure don't want them to be stressed from overcrowding! And, I guess, it's gonna be awhile until I get the Domicile finished.

We got the roof on the Dom coop this weekend, and I've got the chain link for it, but I can't pick it up! Sometimes being short has HUGE drawbacks! I am 5'1" so that roll of fencing is almost a foot taller than me, and it outweighs me by a LOT! For some odd reason, the thought never occurred to me that I couldn't just slap that fencing up there! Anyway, will have to wait for muscles to come home.

Brie

 

[galanie]

This is out of left field but in a way, it sounds like you are your husband have the same "mother." In a way. That's great! And while no one can fill anyones shoes completely, you are making a wonderful beginning there.

 

[Briezeechicks]

Thanks, galanie, I needed that!

Brie

 

[Briezeechicks]

I rolled out the chain link fencing today, thinking that if I could just get it attached to the corner post, I could stretch it with a come-along attached to the bumper of the pickup. NOT! I wrestled that fencing all afternoon, and got myself pretty beat up in the battle...the fence has won, I have thrown in the towel, and am hitting the shower very shortly!

BJ was shocked when he got in this afternoon. "Mom! What happened?"

"I've been wrestling the fence, BJ."

"What fence?"

"The one to your Dominecker Domicile!"

"Well, when Samantha gets here, we'll go out there and help, OK?"

"OK. I'm tired. How about pizza tonight?"

Samantha comes in "We're having PIZZA? YAY! What happened to YOU?"

So we do homework and make corrections and head out there to tackle the fence. More hands to help hold it up, right? RRIIIIIIIGGGGGHHHHHTTT!

So we're all out there trying to hold this 6' chain link fence up and get the tension rod that has been threaded down the 1st links attached to the pole which has been cemented into the ground, and a big gust of wind comes up and blows sand in Samantha's eyes. Blinded, she steps in the trench that we can't cover up until the fence is stretched. She falls down, BJ who is trying to hold up the entire fence now is overwhelmed and falls down, and then me. We are all on the ground, flat on our backs with a blanket of chain link fence on top of us. We laughed at our predicament until both kids were limp.

The fence won, the pizza is here, I'm taking a shower.

Brie

 

[NovaAman]

HAHA! Priceless memories!

 

[galanie]

Pizza to the rescue!

 

[Briezeechicks]

Well, the old timer's confirmed it! I have a broody hen! I am surprised because they have been here all of 2 weeks! Anyway, she stole several eggs, I think she has 7 under her, and she says she'll kill us with her screeching and fluffing of feathers. She's all talk so far, and Samantha is not afraid to go in and gather the eggs. They (old timer's) tell me the chicks will be fine to leave with the mamma, so I'm gonna just let them do their thing. I'm kind of excited! Can't wait to see baby chick heads poking out from under a mamma hen!.

Brie