What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[Amer]

Leaving out water buckets and expecting chickens not to just randomly drown themselves.

 

[FT Chickens]

Made my coop too small. Wish it was bigger so I could have gotten more chickens!!

 

[ChickenLeg]

x2, that was a downside, though it was nice having an easy 'transition' into chickens. I gradually took over for my neighbour, yelled for help if there was any trouble, and eventually moved the coop over here.

I wouldn't say I regret it... but I won't do it again, if I ever have to restart my flock.

Agreed, bought multiple times from chicken shows. If/When I rarely do this now, they are quarantined for at least a month..

 

[Amer]

So...what do you mean by chicken math? Are you going by the info you get when looking at coop designs? Such as, "Suitable for 4-6 chickens" and so on? Or is there another relevant equation?

Chicken math - adding more, not subtracting with the additions. Suddenly ending up with an over crowded coop or more chickens than one knows what to do with.[/QUOTE]
(Multiplication and subtraction too)

 

[MissChick@dee]

Clipping my Roosters claws with human toe nail clippers.
Having a running bloody mess and no quick-stop.
Not crating the running bloody mess once I got the blood stopped.
Then trying to bandage a Single toe rather than the whole foot.
Not using vet-wrap to make the bandage.
Then feeding my Rooster stool softeners to pass the swallowed bandage.

 

[Amer]

Clipping my Roosters claws with human toe nail clippers.
Having a running bloody mess and no quick-stop.
Not crating the running bloody mess once I got the blood stopped.
Then trying to bandage a Single toe rather than the whole foot.
Not using vet-wrap to make the bandage.
Then feeding my Rooster stool softeners to pass the swallowed bandage.

I use human nail clippers. I find them easier to clip just the end. There have been accidents, but usually I get it right.
Other members of the family though.

 

[Melky]

Clipping my Roosters claws with human toe nail clippers.
Having a running bloody mess and no quick-stop.
Not crating the running bloody mess once I got the blood stopped.
Then trying to bandage a Single toe rather than the whole foot.
Not using vet-wrap to make the bandage.
Then feeding my Rooster stool softeners to pass the swallowed bandage.

OMG! That was a bad day!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Not putting the other chickens in the run before...
I vomited my Rooster (sour crop)
Gaging while I tried to get them outta that “stuff”

 

[staceyj]

So many good comments already!

My definition of chicken math is:

Due to the positive attributes of chicken keeping, giving in to the temptation to continue to add to your flock ie:* more color, more variety, MORE FUN... up to and beyond your limitations in space or budget.

**not a big deal if you have room to add on and plenty of money!


I have a small “urban flock” and a modest size walk-in Quaker style coop that staves off the temptation of chicken math btw.

In the beginning I had a two level roost that was freestanding. I thought this would be great because I could take it out of the coop when cleaning.
But it turned out to be a pain and the frame that sat on the floor of the coop was cumbersome.

By eliminating it and incorporating a single roost into the coop itself, (thanks to dh’s great design idea and handiwork I can pop it out when I clean the coop and reinstall it in two quick movements), I freed up tons of floor space, and by changing to a flat sided 2x4 for the roost itself, my birds seem more comfortable when they sleep.
*plus it helps them stay warmer in the winter because they can hunker down on their feet.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I use human nail clippers. I find them easier to clip just the end. There have been accidents, but usually I get it right.
Other members of the family though.

Hey ... the first clip no problem...going in for justa’ lil bit more...well lol
I know now to use a emery board and file.