What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[BY Bob]

I've no idea how my one gal developed bumblefoot. No telling. But I will say this much, it is a pain in the rear to deal with!

I can only imagine how much of a pain it is at this point. You have my sympathies.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I can only imagine how much of a pain it is at this point. You have my sympathies.

Thank you!

Ive been dealing with it for about 6 months. Last week, after soaking her foot in tricide neo for 3 weeks, I was finally able to remove the scab and squeeze the bumble out... I dont think I got all the infection out though... It looks significantly better, but the black tell tale scab has reappeared. So I am soaking in tricide neo again in hopes that it will kill off any remaining infection.

 

[BReeder!]

Thank you!

Ive been dealing with it for about 6 months. Last week, after soaking her foot in tricide neo for 3 weeks, I was finally able to remove the scab and squeeze the bumble out... I dont think I got all the infection out though... It looks significantly better, but the black tell tale scab has reappeared. So I am soaking in tricide neo again in hopes that it will kill off any remaining infection.

Best of luck. Hope she heals up well.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Best of luck. Hope she heals up well.

Thank you!

 

[FaithVondras987]

Bumble foot is tied to infection and injury. A run with rough rocks or hard wood chips could cause the injury. A run that has a lot of poop or wet areas could be a breeding ground for the bacteria or fungus that would cause an infection.

What I am saying is confining chickens to a run is not really the problem, but a run that is not well suited for confinement and not well maintained could be lead to bumble foot being a common problem with a flock.

Also, not pointing fingers here. The run in question may be well maintained and well suited to keeping chickens but other factors not specific to the run setup and maintenance could also be the culprit.

I looked it up and although I said can prevent it, ik it does NOT prevent it. I researched it when I noticed she had it, but I still like to think it does since I haven’t had the problem since and that was 5 years ago.
Sorry if I gave some people wrong advice.

 

[MROO]

What does a Nankin look like... will you share a photo, please!

The first pic is of Pepper, our favorite hen, and her first clutch; RIP sweet mama.
The second two are of Yosemite Sam, our BIS rooster. Sammy's my "baby." When he's not playing Harem-Master, he rides around on my shoulder and walks on a leash ... SO spoiled! You can learn more about Nankins on The Livestock Conservancy's website. They're really neat little birds!


Immediate EDIT - If you'd like more info, you can post on my thread, if you'd like. That way, we won't hijack this thread ... That's bad egg-tiquette, ya know!

 

[Hermit]

I always read, "If a chicken sneezes, it is sick, treat right away because chickens don't just sneeze." Boy is that a false hood. I ran out got Tylan 50 and treated her... Then had an egg withdrawal of 8 long weeks.... only to discover she kept sneezing. That was it though. No rattle. No eye bubbles. No discharge of any kind. So I sat out there one day and just watched her... and noticed, she sneezes when she eats crumble... every. single. time.

Lesson learned. Lol.... Now I pay closer attention and evaluate any situation without over reacting.

The first time one of mine sneezed… it was OF COURSE one of my most precious babies.

I didn’t overthink her sneezing, but... I may have overreacted to the fact that she was on my arm, at the time, and turned to sneeze DIRECTLY AND WETLY straight into my face.



This is the girl in question, who is inordinately fond of sitting on my shoulders, arms, and head (I now ALWAYS step outside in thick sleeves and a hat). I am apparently considered Safe Zone during Chicken Tag.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

The first time one of mine sneezed… it was OF COURSE one of my most precious babies.

I didn’t overthink her sneezing, but... I may have overreacted to the fact that she was on my arm, at the time, and turned to sneeze DIRECTLY AND WETLY straight into my face.



This is the girl in question, who is inordinately fond of sitting on my shoulders, arms, and head (I now ALWAYS step outside in thick sleeves and a hat). I am apparently considered Safe Zone during Chicken Tag.

View attachment 1667708
View attachment 1667711 View attachment 1667713 View attachment 1667714 View attachment 1667717 View attachment 1667718

Gorgeous girl! Lovely pictures, really enjoyed viewing these.

 

[ARose4Heaven]

To address the original question....My first chicken mistake was believing in a predator proof enclosure.

 

[SomeChickinTN]

Has anyone ever made enough mistakes to start over? I'm still getting started, but I'm finding holes in my long term goals with what I have now. I wanted a "low maintenance" flock that raised their own chicks and still provided eggs and occasional meat.... But it seems that dual purpose birds are not going to be broody very often, and it seems like I probably can't just get a banty to hatch chicks (introducing her into the big coop). And if I set up a brooder coop for a banty, I'm still going to eventually have to integrate chickens.... it's just becoming opposite of what I want.