What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[HennyPenny2019]

You are welcome Beth, no problems. I enjoyed doing all the "little" write ups. I don't/haven't shown chickens - but am interested in getting birds that meet breed standards &/or breeding them to a standard that will work well/mesh with the "homesteading" we are doing. That's why I'd like to aim for a slightly "meatier" bird if/where possible. For me, it's a learning process. I don't have a whole lot of individuals for each grouping. Still trying to figure out how to tell who is doing what - that may be a whole 'nother ball game.

Was so disappointed that we lost so many birds - not during or right after the first hurricane - but after the 2nd. Figured it was too much stress for some of them - I know that several developed "sniffles" and then...then were "gone". Literally overnight...

The one thing that has caught me by surprise is how long these auto-sexing girls are taking to lay. I never realized it would take this long. Having hatchery bred hens - some actually production type crosses - when I started spoiled me. They laid early, but then their laying stopped (literally) at 3-4 yrs of age.

This is really interesting, I’ve learned so much from you all. I think I understand what you are saying about not showing but still wanting the “best you can get” of the ones you get. That will be my goal ... if I can get that educated before time to get them

 

[HennyPenny2019]

You are welcome Beth, no problems. I enjoyed doing all the "little" write ups. I don't/haven't shown chickens - but am interested in getting birds that meet breed standards &/or breeding them to a standard that will work well/mesh with the "homesteading" we are doing. That's why I'd like to aim for a slightly "meatier" bird if/where possible. For me, it's a learning process. I don't have a whole lot of individuals for each grouping. Still trying to figure out how to tell who is doing what - that may be a whole 'nother ball game.

Was so disappointed that we lost so many birds - not during or right after the first hurricane - but after the 2nd. Figured it was too much stress for some of them - I know that several developed "sniffles" and then...then were "gone". Literally overnight...

The one thing that has caught me by surprise is how long these auto-sexing girls are taking to lay. I never realized it would take this long. Having hatchery bred hens - some actually production type crosses - when I started spoiled me. They laid early, but then their laying stopped (literally) at 3-4 yrs of age.

Meant to add how sorry I am at you losing your chickens to those damn hurricanes ... sounds like a long nightmare

 

[feathermaid]

So you would use this to raise day old chicks that you ordered, bought, etc until they are 6 - 8 weeks?

Yes absolutely, but the wonderful amazing thing about using a heat plate or heating pad method is that the chicks mature and feather out quicker... they usually abandon the heat source by around 4-5 weeks old, depending on ambient temperatures. MHP is concentrated to one area (just like a living broody hen), the chicks come and go as they please, are exposed to cooler temperatures while eating or wandering around and only receive heat when they come back and want to warm up. This allows them to acclimate to their surroundings much sooner than poor chicks growing up in a sauna under a heat lamp. (My opinion is just because they're alive, doesn't mean they're happy and comfortable)

I think the whole heat lamp mumbo jumbo started with large poultry farms needing to brood hundreds of chicks at a time, and the only feasible way to efficiently heat that many babies was with an overhead heat source. While this still may be the best way to raise a large number of chicks (especially meant for a short life span), I believe a more natural heating method for smaller groups is much healthier, and most important, the chicks can experience day and night cycles.


My heating pad was angled lower in the back so chicks could decide how close they wanted to be to the heat. Then by 2-3 weeks they just spent most of their time on top.

At 3 weeks old, I moved them to finish brooding outside in the coop. Temperatures ranged from 50-70°F. They were fully feathered and roosting with my older hens by 5 weeks old and no longer using the heating pad at all.

 

[bobbi-j]

Yes absolutely, but the wonderful amazing thing about using a heat plate or heating pad method is that the chicks mature and feather out quicker... they usually abandon the heat source by around 4-5 weeks old, depending on ambient temperatures. MHP is concentrated to one area (just like a living broody hen), the chicks come and go as they please, are exposed to cooler temperatures while eating or wandering around and only receive heat when they come back and want to warm up. This allows them to acclimate to their surroundings much sooner than poor chicks growing up in a sauna under a heat lamp. (My opinion is just because they're alive, doesn't mean they're happy and comfortable)

I think the whole heat lamp mumbo jumbo started with large poultry farms needing to brood hundreds of chicks at a time, and the only feasible way to efficiently heat that many babies was with an overhead heat source. While this still may be the best way to raise a large number of chicks (especially meant for a short life span), I believe a more natural heating method for smaller groups is much healthier, and most important, the chicks can experience day and night cycles.

View attachment 1625398 View attachment 1625399
My heating pad was angled lower in the back so chicks could decide how close they wanted to be to the heat. Then by 2-3 weeks they just spent most of their time on top.

At 3 weeks old, I moved them to finish brooding outside in the coop. Temperatures ranged from 50-70°F. They were fully feathered and roosting with my older hens by 5 weeks old and no longer using the heating pad at all.
View attachment 1625400

If you have electricity in your coop, and a place to separate the chicks for a few weeks, you can even start them out in the coop. I did. Lows in the 20's and 30's some nights, but they were nice and snug with the MHP.

 

[feathermaid]

If you have electricity in your coop, and a place to separate the chicks for a few weeks, you can even start them out in the coop. I did. Lows in the 20's and 30's some nights, but they were nice and snug with the MHP.

Yes! That's exactly my plan for the future! The only reason I waited a couple weeks was because I was still building my darn new coop and it wasn't ready yet. I designed it with that extra space under the poop tray that can be temporarily converted to a brooder. It worked perfect and I'm excited for my next new chicks!

 

[Katkumo]

My worst mistake was not de-worming with Safeguard before losing a few hens to parasites. I have lost hens in order of sweetness, and it has broken my heart.

 

[Folly's place]

It's one of those truths; favorite birds die first. Sorry for your loss too.
Mary

 

[MROO]

Really.....not knowing that my rooster wiggles on my lap could leave a wet spot
I felt so dirty and violated.
Things went down a little differently when he’d mount the top of my shoe

Mine was "dancing" in my lap and "squirted" into my hand. EWWWWW! But I still love my boys ... all nine of them! Anybody want a rooster?

 

[MROO]

No you did not make me angry. I was just putting our own circumstances out there. When I see photos of some of the set-ups here I wish my girls could have those. But like I said, we do the best with what we got (plus a LOT of recycling materials). I myself did not take offense. But believe when I say this.... if I ever breakdown and buy a lottery ticket and win, my chooks would be living in a run/coop that would be featured in “glamorous chick” magazine lol!!!

Hey - if you're using a lot of recycled materials, there's another thread here that asks "What have you recycled" for your coop/run/etc. It's a neat thread, with some really creative and really ... uhh ... unique? .. recycling ideas. You should post some pics!

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Keeping a flying duck and her ducklings in an open run.
She flew out to the lake for two hours leaving the ducklings exposed to the crows and hawks.
Sadly 2 were taken by crows before I noticed she flew out.