Year 1 of chicken raising: My Lessons Learned- What were yours?

[LizzzyJo]

After one year, I have learned some truths about keeping chickens

List yours below!

1. Even if they’re identical, only ONE nesting box is the GOOD nesting box.
2. Some chickens are smart. Some chickens are as dumb as Moana’s.
3. If you start cutting their veggies into bite sized pieces, you will have to do it forever.
4. They always jump on the lap of the ‘I’m scared of birds’ person at the picnic.
5. Their faces are adorable and unique if you raised them, but others can’t tell them apart.
6. The people who ask to see picture of your chickens at work are the good ones
7. A carton of eggs is a coveted and celebrated host gift for most dinner parties.
8. BUILD A BIGGER COOP than you think you need! You will get more. They’re like Pokémon. You’ll want all kinds!
9. If you have 3 chickens DON’T YOU DARE bring only 2 worms!
10. The only true way to run is wings out and pants poofed like you’re being chased up the basement steps by a monster!

 

[Shadowfire]

LOL, funny lessons! I have been raising chooks for almost four years and I'm still learning new things every day I'm with them. Here are a few lessons I learned about chickens- there are many more but I can only list a couple right now.

1. Chickens will get very, very jealous if you give the dog treats but not them.
2. Never let your chickens share your lunch or "they will get the bigger half".

 

[robinwhiskers]

1. Chickens can be your best buddies.
2. They are so so smart.
3. They love being with you.
4. They can always make you laugh.

 

[Mrs. K]

1. I agree, many a favor can be paid with a dozen of fresh eggs.
2. Not all roosters are eye candy (got the ugliest one right now)
3. !#@$%$^ predators ALWAYS get your favorite.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

XD I love this list, it's hilarious and I am probably going to learn from this as well as the hard way when my babies show up!

 

[cinalee]

1. They can be a little messy
2. Everyone is different with their own personality
3. They can train their Chicken Mumma better than their Chicken Mumma can train them
4. I spend more on them than I spend on myself
5. Love them, their eggs and would not have it any other way

 

[rosemarythyme]

My first year I learned:
1. Brooding inside the house SUCKS, never again!
2. Having some form of litter in a run only seems optional when it's dry. After fall/winter/spring storms, you'll really regret leaving the run bare.
3. That "cute little rat" visiting your bird feeders isn't so cute when it moves into your chicken enclosure.
4. Be patient in waiting for that first egg. I was under the misconception, like many first timers, that chickens hit 16-18 weeks and eggs would magically appear.

 

[LizzzyJo]

1. They can be a little messy
2. Everyone is different with their own personality
3. They can train their Chicken Mumma better than their Chicken Mumma can train them
4. I spend more on them than I spend on myself
5. Love them, their eggs and would not have it any other way

Yes!! #4 - oh my goodness! Me tooooo!

 

[Acre4Me]

1. Some girl pullets seem to suffer a little bit of "PES" (Pre-EGG Syndrome) before beginning to lay: one of ours was particularly and notably grumpy in the 2 weeks leading up to her first egg, and didn't seem to lose the attitude till a couple weeks later...wonder what Midol for chickens would be called?

2. Baby chicks are super cute, but lose their fluff so fast!

3. Its fun collecting eggs....until its the third or fourth straight day of rain and wind.

4. Meat chickens are worth the effort - Yum!

5. Escaped chickens at the fair run fast...

 

[L1sa]

1. You can care more for these brainless fluff balls than you ever thought possible.

2. Chicken maths is real, You always end up with more than you plan to.

3. You start talking about them and chickens in general to other people and before you know it people are backing away from you, with that panicked look on their eyes!

4. You never get over the thrill of collecting eggs!

5. Hatching your own eggs either from incubator or broody makes you feel like you've done something amazing and that created life all by yourself.

6. Chickens are THE most amazing escape artists when it comes to you opening their door to go in!

7. They are so entertaining, amusing and you'll find yourself being able to watch them hours!