What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[RoosterML]

Never made a mistake.
The thread is really pretty long so I won't add another 10 pages of my mistakes. I'll just list a couple.
#1 Not finding BYC before I actually started building chicken coops and getting chickens. I have a foolish amount of money spent on various items. That now just sit up in the rafters or just thrown out. There is a wealth of information on this site that can really allow you to do things correctly the first time. I surely am one who likes to do things MY way but could of saved myself some headaches had BYC been found sooner.
#2 Putting course stone in the run in some spots, was wondering why they were getting bumblefoot, once stones taken out problem went away.
#3 Playing Vet and while wrapping a chickens foot after treating bumblefoot I accidentally wrapped her back toe into the bandage causing it to eventually die and fall off. That still makes me upset to this day. She is doing great now and still here, it is amazing how resilient these birds really are.
I could go on and on but like I said I'll keep it short.
Would also like to thank the Creator and the many contributors of BYC for having this site so that others can hopefully not have a laundry list of "worst things we first did".
Happy New Year !!!

 

[Alexandra33]

Really glad you've learned this I don't have roosters they are not permitted where I am, however I know a few people with roosters which are like puppy dogs with feathers, playful, affectionate and so docile but also do a great job looking after their girls. I guess it's the same with everything in life - there are the good ones and the bad ones. Out of curiosity do you have a rooster now and if so how is he with the kids?

Exactly.

I currently have a mature rooster, and 7 cockerels ranging from 6 to 11 months. All are wonderful with my younger brothers, as well as visiting children. Most allow themselves to be scooped up by rambunctious little ones.

~Alex

 

[Mary's Farm]

So sorry for your loss I hope someday you will learn to forgive yourself, you had good intentions and would never have left them out there had you have known the outcome. I'm glad you didn't give up and will be nice for you when your pullets start to lay.

Thank you Anna! I am so pleased to report that TWO of the pullets have started giving us eggs, as of last week! I am also pleased that they all look very healthy. So far, so good.

 

[MROO]

Really glad you've learned this I don't have roosters they are not permitted where I am, however I know a few people with roosters which are like puppy dogs with feathers, playful, affectionate and so docile but also do a great job looking after their girls. I guess it's the same with everything in life - there are the good ones and the bad ones. Out of curiosity do you have a rooster now and if so how is he with the kids?

I have way too many roosters ... and they're sweet as the dickens. They come when called; most know their names and all of them will walk on a leash (albeit a few more reluctantly than others. Yukon, a Red Pyle OEGB and Yosemite Sam, a Nankin Bantam, ride around the yard on my shoulders - and both will come inside if I let them. Then there's Herman, the Silkie roo. He's just plain spoiled!

 

[Barbs Girls]

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 don’t m am to chuckle but this sounds like my life!!!

 

[Barbs Girls]

This made me both laugh and shudder in horror. Dealing with livestock means having a healthy sense of black humor...I hope.

Gah!!! That is so true!!

 

[bald Rooster]

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

I hope you had a smoke afterwords.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I hope you had a smoke afterwords.

Bwahahahaa...
And didn’t even mess up my lipstick
(I’m dying here)

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Exactly.

I currently have a mature rooster, and 7 cockerels ranging from 6 to 11 months. All are wonderful with my younger brothers, as well as visiting children. Most allow themselves to be scooped up by rambunctious little ones.

~Alex

Awwwwww that's great news would love to see pics of them if you don't mind posting some - I think roosters/cockerels are great, I'd have one if I could.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Thank you Anna! I am so pleased to report that TWO of the pullets have started giving us eggs, as of last week! I am also pleased that they all look very healthy. So far, so good.

Ahhhhh that's great to hear, I'm so pleased for you. It is evident you care very much for your birds, they are as blessed at having you as you are blessed at having them. Very heart warming