What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[LeeTandJessicaT]

The worst? Security-What I thought was secure was no match for 2 dogs that killed 18 of our first 20 hand raised girls. Big Foot would have trouble getting in there now. Then replacing those 18 with same age chickens from a “good source.”
That brings me to next worst-Bio Security. Basically ran a chicken hospital for the next 4 months.
Letting our broody girls go full term last spring. Ended up with 9 more roosters out of 12 little adorable chicks.
Using laundry room as brooder = very messy laundry room. Who knew those little chicks made so much dust.

 

[WindingRoad]

Not being ready for winter in late October. MAINE who knew. I did but didn't want to.

 

[Bhapimama]

You'll prolong your eggs a little by doing that but then what? After 3 or 4 years, you'd have a dozen hens with maybe half laying regularly. What is your end goal? Do you plan to offer a retirement home for all the hens, or are you looking for something more sustainable?

It's possible to maintain a certain flock size and keep the eggs coming consistently every year if... you're willing to cull your oldest birds in a yearly rotation of sorts. Culling means eliminating from your flock, either by rehoming, "processing" for meat or another method you see fit. Here's a pretty good article to help explain the rotation process: A Three Year Chicken Rotation

Either way, I don't think I would add in less than 3 at a time, only because if you purchased 2 chicks, and by chance one succumbed to illness or unforeseen accident, that remaining lone chick would have a rough time. A group of 3 will also find comfort and "safety in numbers" when being introduced to the main flock. Make sure to read all the articles on early flock integration. When done correctly, adding chicks is sooo much easier than adding older birds, and without the risk of disease and additional separation time for quarantine.

Here's an example:
Question about adding chicks to a flock???

Thank you! Good info

 

[Folly's place]

I'm always underprepared for winter! Wishful thinking, blinders on, and then running out of time. Normal, right?
Mary

 

[cmom]

I've been wondering if it would be a good idea to build a small flock 2 at a time for a few years. I have four hens now which is a good number for my little household but I've been thinking: eventually they will all stop laying and I will just have a retirement home for four hens.
Curious what others think of my plan.... So 2 chicks every year for 3 or 4 years. That way when the oldest ones stop laying, the youngest ones are still producing eggs. What do others think of my version of "chicken math"? Lol

Different strokes for different folks. I breed my birds and do not keep the older birds. When they reach around 2 years and still laying I usually sell them. I can't afford to keep retirement hens but I have a lot of birds. I do have a few special birds that are quite old and I will keep them till death do us part, but most are 2 years old and younger.

 

[cmom]

I'm always underprepared for winter! Wishful thinking, blinders on, and then running out of time. Normal, right?
Mary

Last year I was totally unprepared but we were having some work done on our house and had to move out for awhile while the work was being done. My last hatch was in July. This year I'm going to be prepared. I have some work to do on some pens and coops but can still move the birds around to get ready for breeding which I'll do after the holidays.

 

[cmom]

I've been wondering if it would be a good idea to build a small flock 2 at a time for a few years. I have four hens now which is a good number for my little household but I've been thinking: eventually they will all stop laying and I will just have a retirement home for four hens.
Curious what others think of my plan.... So 2 chicks every year for 3 or 4 years. That way when the oldest ones stop laying, the youngest ones are still producing eggs. What do others think of my version of "chicken math"? Lol

You'll prolong your eggs a little by doing that but then what? After 3 or 4 years, you'd have a dozen hens with maybe half laying regularly. What is your end goal? Do you plan to offer a retirement home for all the hens, or are you looking for something more sustainable?

It's possible to maintain a certain flock size and keep the eggs coming consistently every year if... you're willing to cull your oldest birds in a yearly rotation of sorts. Culling means eliminating from your flock, either by rehoming, "processing" for meat or another method you see fit. Here's a pretty good article to help explain the rotation process: A Three Year Chicken Rotation

Either way, I don't think I would add in less than 3 at a time, only because if you purchased 2 chicks, and by chance one succumbed to illness or unforeseen accident, that remaining lone chick would have a rough time. A group of 3 will also find comfort and "safety in numbers" when being introduced to the main flock. Make sure to read all the articles on early flock integration. When done correctly, adding chicks is sooo much easier than adding older birds, and without the risk of disease and additional separation time for quarantine.

Here's an example:
Question about adding chicks to a flock???

I agree. I take my older birds to a couple of local farm swaps and sell them while they are still laying quite well.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Mine reach four or five take them to auction had a Halloween hatch the three may all be cockerel so get hatch a few more thankfully 4 silky that just love to brood some eggs Merry Christmas everyone

 

[TwitchysChicks]

Adding 15 more hens to my flock without knowing health history. I was told they were "healthy" and "egg laying". Read my thread. I'mthe warning y u don't add more chickens.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Smart to wait 30 days separate coop can see but not touch before adding strange birds to a coop