What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[Mimi13]

Be still my roofoverhang loving heart!!
You need to update your coop page @DobieLover

When I saw her coop I immediately thought of you, because you are right, you do love you some roof overhang!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

My worst mistake when I got my gateway fowl (chickens) was not understanding why my farm store chick was incessantly cheeping and standing around uncomfortably. It was badly pasted (clearly, before I brought it home), and by the time I realized what was going on, it was too late for my Cuckoo Marans chick. I buried it and vowed to check butts diligently thereafter. And I have. But I hate that something I may have been able to remedy fairly easily now caused needless suffering and, ultimately, death for a small chick. Keep learning!

 

[Taj_MaChicken]

Not putting DE where they take a dust bath. Now two of the girls show signs of mites

 

[aart]

Not putting DE where they take a dust bath. Now two of the girls show signs of mites

Don't feel bad, DE is no guarantee(merely a misguided promise) to keep mites away.
If your birds have mites(did you see them?), get permethrin and treat them promptly.

 

[Taj_MaChicken]

Don't feel bad, DE is no guarantee(merely a misguided promise) to keep mites away.
If your birds have mites(did you see them?), get permethrin and treat them promptly.

I don't actually see any, but the one threw a fit when I was trying to get a good look at her. Their tail feathers look a little chewed on. I'll check them again when my boyfriend gets home. One's a bantam, so she could be getting pecked by the bigger girls, but the other ones is higher up in the pecking order.

 

[aart]

I don't actually see any, but the one threw a fit when I was trying to get a good look at her. Their tail feathers look a little chewed on. I'll check them again when my boyfriend gets home. One's a bantam, so she could be getting pecked by the bigger girls, but the other ones is higher up in the pecking order.

Here's my notes on 'bug checks', don't bother treating unless you see the bugs.

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

 

[NH Chicken Mama]

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.

X3 - not for the eggs specifically but because they were available and having adults seemed less labor-intensive and less prone to accident (and cheeper regarding cost of buying a heating pad/platform thing) than raising chicks.

Mites are annoying. Awful business and if they are this annoying to ME I can only imagine the poor chickens.

 

[NH Chicken Mama]

Definitely a good idea for a thread.

I haven’t had chickens long enough to make any mistakes that have resulted in the death of my chickens but I have definitely made some

For example DO NOT USE A HEAT LAMP! My house nearly burst into flames, it fell and had started a small fire in the pine shavings

I have heard this from several people, and am thankful for the information. I will never allow a heat lamp on my property.

 

[Kota Mitera]

I don't have enough room to list the many mistakes, however I have found that chickens are very forgiving. Having said that, my first mistake is feeding them too much ... feed and treats. So I have made adjustments.

 

[aliciaplus3]

I don't have enough room to list the many mistakes, however I have found that chickens are very forgiving. Having said that, my first mistake is feeding them too much ... feed and treats. So I have made adjustments.

Fat hens do not lay well.... as I remember reading. The truly dual purpose breeds are the worst