What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[ChickenCanoe]

I appreciate that you - an experienced poultry raiser - were willing to share your story to help give others some perspective about their errors. And to show that when a mistake is made, you rectify it as best you can and learn from it. I try to do that, too.

I'm sorry that your bird lost its wing, but it sounds like it should adapt just fine. If you're like me, the hardest part is forgiving yourself for (being human and) making a mistake. Remember to be kind to yourself, too.

Thank you for the kind words.
I'm still bummed.

Yikes!!
Did you have to take it off at the shoulder?

Experience doesn't eliminate errors, just greatly reduces them.
Yes, Kudos for sharing.

No, it was the next joint down. Where the ulna and radius meet the humerus. I basically amputated it when I clamped down with the band applicator tool. There was nothing left of the joint so a quick snip of the little bit of skin left did the job.
I'm not sure how to proceed because the bird won't be able to fly and the flight feathers and coverlets missing may be an issue in extreme cold.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Thank you for the kind words.
I'm still bummed.

No, it was the next joint down. Where the ulna and radius meet the humerus. I basically amputated it when I clamped down with the band applicator tool. There was nothing left of the joint so a quick snip of the little bit of skin left did the job.
I'm not sure how to proceed because the bird won't be able to fly and the flight feathers and coverlets missing may be an issue in extreme cold.

Not sure if you want to go this far but you could always buy or make a chicken sweater:

There are a lot of people selling them on etsy. They could probably make you a custom one with only one wing hole.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Buying a premade coop and holding a bird upside down while catching them. Had been taught to do this to help calm them when trimming bails and she ended up throwing up and choking

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Buying a premade coop and holding a bird upside down while catching them. Had been taught to do this to help calm them when trimming bails and she ended up throwing up and choking

In a way it does help to calm them because it causes the blood to rush to their head. Kept upside down for too long and they wont be able to breath and they will die. I'm so sorry you had to learn that that way. Just hold them like footballs from now on

 

[casportpony]

Buying a premade coop and holding a bird upside down while catching them. Had been taught to do this to help calm them when trimming bails and she ended up throwing up and choking

So sorry.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

I have enough space for many chickens, so I'm going to say having serious chicken math issues doesn't count.

My biggest mistake, getting chicks from TSC. 1/2 chickens (not including my sex-links) from TSC sold as pullets were actually cockerels! So never buying pullets there next spring unless they have sex-links.
TSC translation: Pullet= St. Run
St. Run=Cockerel
Cornish Cross= St. Run because they can get them cheaper that way.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I have enough space for many chickens, so I'm going to say having serious chicken math issues doesn't count.

My biggest mistake, getting chicks from TSC. 1/2 chickens (not including my sex-links) from TSC sold as pullets were actually cockerels! So never buying pullets there next spring unless they have sex-links.
TSC translation: Pullet= St. Run
St. Run=Cockerel
Cornish Cross= St. Run because they can get them cheaper that way.

I bought straight runs there recently. 11 out of 12 were cockrels

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

I bought straight runs there recently. 11 out of 12 were cockrels

IMO, They are just the broiler special bin. Sorry for your bad luck

 

[aart]

Not sure if you want to go this far but you could always buy or make a chicken sweater:

There are a lot of people selling them on etsy. They could probably make you a custom one with only one wing hole.

Noooo... just say NO to chicken sweaters!
They actually impede the birds ability to regulate it's temperature by keeping them from fluffing up their feathers to hold warm air next to body.

 

[Lovem all]

Getting attached, they were gonna be meat birds lol whelp