What is one thing you figured out about chickens that you wish you knew when you began?

[SueT]

My mistake w first flock was giving treats to the point where they were always refusing to eat their feed. I spoiled them!

 

[CSolis]

I have to second thIs-i had a hen with horrible rooster burn and used bag balm to heal her up. The only hard part was catching her

Ahem, that's when you sneak in with a flashlight and BB in hand and do your thing!

 

[aart]

Ahem, that's when you sneak in with a flashlight and BB in hand and do your thing!

Headlight is even better, can use both hands.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Ahem, that's when you sneak in with a flashlight and BB in hand and do your thing!

Oh I tried! That bird was the most skittish piece of work I've ever met-she would be dead asleep (I thought) and the second I touched her she would explode in hysterics, high-tail it around the coop and use my head as an escape catapult. Tried that a couple times and finally just resorted to cornering her during the day so neither of us would get injured. Only bird that made me think seriously about buying a net.

 

[Leemartinwhite]

That they literally sh!t everywhere! And anywhere and your dogs will find it gourmet And that they can and will destroy your garden/plants/flowers in nothing flat and use it as their dirt bath. Even though you made up their own really cool personal dirt bath… lol

Lol
out of all the comments I have ever seen on this site or any other this is sooooooo true. It made me laugh so much as it is totally true. Every part of your comments is something I have and do deal with daily.
Thank for making me laugh

 

[Chickenclaude]

Use a reputable breeder for chicks. TS sexed chicks but 8 out of 12 were roosters. If you think breeders are expensive, try raising them until they start crowing ..

 

[NatJ]

Use a reputable breeder for chicks. TS sexed chicks but 8 out of 12 were roosters. If you think breeders are expensive, try raising them until they start crowing ..

Hatcheries usually get the sexes right. (Yes, there are a few exceptions, but nothing like the ratio you got.)

Tractor Supply obviously has problems with proper labeling, but I think that is the fault of the store rather than the hatchery.

Most breeders cannot sex very young chicks, so you are limited to older chicks, autosexing or sex-linked chicks, or straight run.