What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[Anna Ranieri]

These were not battery hens. They were previously owned by a fellow allotment holder on my site, who neglected them. When I took them on they didn't have much body fat and were a real sight to look at. And they were only with me for a matter of a few weeks. But they looked a lot better by the time they died!

Awwww so sad

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Just started reading this thread, awesome idea!

My worst mistake? Ordering my first batch of day old chicks from MPC, and going, "Why do I have to buy SIX CHICKENS?!! I only want like 2 or 3." Ummmm, yeah ( not quite two years later...currently at 19, and three coops, lol).

 

[Anna Ranieri]

55 Flowery Hens - (is the name of the breed).

Developed in 1955 by Martin Silverrudd, the pullet/hens are "spotted" like flowers & the cockerels/roosters are white w/ some red "leakage" on some... They lay HUGE white eggs (I've gotten a handful from our 8 pullets, so far, and it's unbelievable.). I will have to do some pics later, don't haven them size adjusted yet. These birds, again, are smaller - based on the Leghorn breeds. They are also my most flighty birds of our auto-sexing breeds. At least they don't try to kill themselves or each other when you enter their pens (like our blue Ameraucana do). Not really friendly - won't take treats or even feed from your hand. Supposed to be great foragers, but I was so afraid of losing these "flighty" and good flying birds, that I've not let them out.

Again, I didn't get these girls/boys as chicks. They were already about 3 months old when I got them and well feathered in. The cockerels are supposed to be lighter colored and the girls are brown w/ not as distinct chipmunk pattern as the CLBs.

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I am down to 1 (out of 4) roosters. Had originally planned on 3 breeding groups w/ the 3 best roosters, but Mama Nature changed that plan. 3 of the roosters passed between Hurricane Florence &/or after Hurricane Michael. Still have the original 8 pullets - just now starting to lay. "Solo" is a VERY lucky guy, LOL. I wish these girls were friendlier - they sure are PRETTY and their eggs, JUST WOW. Can't wait to see how they hatch out once they are laying this coming spring and I learn to incubate. Just like with my CLBs, I will be going through and keeping what I deem to be the best - and will be getting some more roosters so that I can get a couple of different groups going that aren't directly related.

Little cuties

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Thank you so much for this, I didn’t see a list of breeds but I think I miss a good bit on the site sometimes. I’m getting better at navigating the website but still struggle a bit.

This is what I envisioned when I read “sex-linked” but never having heard of it I figured I was probably wrong.
I won’t be involved in breeding or showing as you are, but I am interested if there is a better way to insure I get hens rather than Roos if possible. I did the breeding for show with my French Bulldogs for 15 years .. I’m just too old to do that now. Thanks again for the help, I really appreciate it. -Beth

Would it not be worth your while to get pullets, just thinking this is a sure way of getting females only?

 

[Anna Ranieri]

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.

Awwww thats so sad, so sorry for your loss

 

[Aceoky]

Wow @Alexandra33 those are some awesome boys !

 

[Aceoky]

Would it not be worth your while to get pullets, just thinking this is a sure way of getting females only?

For most breeds more like 90% chance some breeds it's more like maybe 75% though. (sexing day old is not 100% other than sex link chicks IOW)

 

[gnine0326]

Too many birds for the coop. I rescued 10 chicks from being killed. I have a coop that I bought from someone who built it and he stated that it can hold 10 to 12 chickens. Nope. I need to make it bigger.

 

[AussieJen]

My biggest newbie mistake: thinking scratch was a nutritionally balanced alternative to pellets. I had some fussy birds 10-odd years ago and started feeding them scratch when they refused to touch pellets. Two ended up dying with large fatty masses around their organs, so I presume I killed them with treats (giving them the equivalent of McDs every day).

 

[AussieJen]

Being afraid to handle the birds which can be hard to catch, because I thought I would hurt them. I now check my birds everyday for any signs of illness, injury, etc. The sooner you catch problems the better.

I'd love some tips on catching my birds. Do you recommend ignoring the skwarking panic and simply chasing them down, or grabbing a leg while they are trustingly coming up to you, or what? I hate the idea of making them scared of me because they think I'll grab them if they come too close, but recognise the need to check them regularly. I have an open plan run/pen so no smaller area to catch them. Was thinking of catching them a couple of times a month while settled roosting, but then it's dark and hard to see (even with a headlamp). What do others recommend?