The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Lizmar on July 15, 2009, 11:41:40 am
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The vet was visiting my friends sick horse and I thought while he was there I would ask some questions about keeping chickens as I am about ready to get them now. His words were, 'don't bother, seems everyone is getting them at the moment because of the so called ressession - they are more trouble than they are worth, always getting sick, so you can't eat the eggs and costs money all the time for treatment'.
Please reassure me that he was just a miserable old f..t and they aren't that bad to look after :'(
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Ignore him!!
They are fab and we are SO enjoying all the eggs! They have not got ill (just a few broody periods!) at all and are great company. The eat slugs and kitchen waste, and they produce amazing eggs. Seriously after eating your own eggs (well you knwo what I mean!) you will never want shop bought ones again!!
Ed
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What a strange thing to say ??? Chickens are probably the easiest of all livestock to own & extremely rewarding. Believe me, you won't regret it. Fresh water, food & somewhere clean & dry to sleep and you'll have no bother at all - apart from deciding what to do with all the eggs.
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i wouldnt trade my chooks in!
ignore him or get a new vet!
bah humbug!
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To be honest I find the hens a total doddle - being me I completely overthought and overdid all the preparation, but once you get the basics you're good to go. They require very little maintenance, just keeping their coop clean, and it doesn't cost much to feed them. They're very entertaining and the eggs are so incredibly tasty you'll never want to buy from a supermarket again :)
As a vet he naturally sees the problem cases, but that's like any animal, most of the time they bimble along quite happily :)
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Well occasionally they are a b***** pain. Like recently I have had a 2year old get up one morning, lay an egg and then die. The same day a new born chick was kicked out of the nest and died. today someone has layed a very tiny queer looking egg but hey! I love them. They entertain me and their eggs are a sell out everyday. If you think you can take the rough with the smooth go ahead and get some!
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like all animals they do get ill. but most of the things that they get are dealable its only on the very rare occasion that you need to see a vet. It sounds like this vet was more into the exciting world of horses. now if were talking about animals that like to get ill your average sheep must come first. the horse must come a very close second lots of attention needed there. your average chicken as long as its got the basics will live happily with little fuss. now i like both my Shetland ponies specially when they are being friendly. even the sheep are fun at times. so i guess he was either having a bad day or he hates hens.
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yes, he is an old humbug, but chooks do get sick occassionally. but, let's face it, so much cheaper all round than a horse and you can eat em and their eggs.
horses eat pounds and poo pennies. chooks eat pennies and lay eggs.
although i've yet to find a chicken that could pull a plough or a carriage.
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Some vets can't recognise a good thing when they see it - if you were asking his advice on chickens you were about to get he should have encouraged you - you would go to him if they needed any medication or vet help - he's lost out on that one. Get another vet!
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Chooks are bloody thick thou - I think "not the brightest bauble on the tree...not the sharpest flint in the box etc were all sayings about the daft wazzoks - they are eay to keep thou. ;D
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you have not met some thick sheep.
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As a vet he naturally sees the problem cases, but that's like any animal, most of the time they bimble along quite happily :)
Very true - as an ex vet I now look at pedigree dogs and think oooh bad hips, ooh dodgy heart etc!!!
Ed
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I cant wait to get mine- chooks that is
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Like any animal it's a risk you take. I have had no problems with any of mine and would not be without them. Crap vet I would say.
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I wish I had chickens when my children were young instead of Rabbits who just look cute, at least you get daily rewards and they are fun to watch, not so sure they are that thick, they run fast when there is any treats and I saw one hide behind something so none of the other chickens could see what she had, easy animals to look after, it's children that make the work and cost you money!!!!
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I wish I had chickens when my children were young instead of Rabbits who just look cute, at least you get daily rewards and they are fun to watch, not so sure they are that thick, they run fast when there is any treats and I saw one hide behind something so none of the other chickens could see what she had, easy animals to look after, it's children that make the work and cost you money!!!!
Yes I agree & mother nature is very crafty and makes children look so cute when they are young so that we want some.....
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i have both rabbits and chickens, im breeding the rabbits for the pet market but if i get more than i can sell a few of them might just end up on the dinner table :yum:
although i would also like a pair/trio of new zealand white rabbits!!!!!!!!!
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yup a misarable old fart......... they can cost but i would never call in the vet for £30 for a sick chicken, mine get the chop if sick, some people may not agree with my methods but thats the way i do it, ( thats why i dont keep pigs, sheep etc ), the healthy ones also get the chop for the table thats what its all about...... get some birds and find your own way.
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I suppose from a vet's perspective, you can buy a POL hen for less than a fiver but it it gets sick then meds can cost an awful lot more than the value of the hen. Most chickens are very hardy though - get started with something like a Black Rock and you're laughing.
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He won't be able to put me off ;D, never regretted a minute since we had the ducks, so chucks are next! :&>
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Unfortunately a lot of vets just hate it when you turn up with a chicken.
They place very little value on the birds and do not want to deal with them.
Our local vet passes people on to Joe, my husband if they contact him about chickens as he admits himself that Joe has more experience that he has dealing with them. Joe has bred over 50 different breeds over the last 7 years, and recently got back into it again after a short break.
There is not a lot that can go wrong really, worm them twice a year, make sure they have grit, water and good food, and lock them in at night, and you will have little problems.
Go ahead and get some - there's nothing better than watching them scratch and collecting the lovely eggs.
Good luck - and if you do have any problems do not hesitate to ask Joe for help.
regards
Julie ;D ;D
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Thanks it has made me more determined. I have some some people locally who breed chickens and are willing to advise me. They are also looking for the best hen house for me to buy locally, which is really nice of them.
They seem to think Speckled Sussex are a good starting point, is that right? They also have a nice little website http://www.poulacapplepoultry.com/index.html - perhaps they should join TAS, will have to mention it to them
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White Sussex and True Rhode Island REd are good
Welsummers are excellent too. All above produce lots of eggs and look great!
Bantams lay smaller eggs but are really nice, and easy to keep as they do not make too much mess, and tend to keep their pens greener than their larger relatives.
Good Luck and happy hens
Julie
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Not got any chickens yet but my mum has had them for a year or 2 now. I think she's had the odd one die but NEVER had the vet out!!!! And SOOOO many eggs!!!!
Not quite sure how she gets the yolks so bright, her cakes are almost flourescent!!!!(but very nice :yum: )
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Not quite sure how she gets the yolks so bright,
Free ranging on greenery gives the colour in yolks I believe
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I believe that most pellets also contain a colourant (commonly used in orange cheeses, is it called Annato?) to make yolks a richer colour. Organic pellets should be free from it. :&>
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feed them corn ie flaked maize and you will have nice rich eggs.
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I was told that maize only changed the body colour to a yellowy look but not the egg?
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I never fed maize - but always thought it was my tomatoes that made the yolks really orange
as they love my home grown tomatoes.
Julie
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Julie I think it is safe to say that the chooks will eat anything and everything! Mine certainly do.
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tis true a sea gull dropped a reasonably large fish about 6-8 inchs and i have not seen so much running and fighting. if they are out and about there egg colour will change over the year. but whatever the colour its still better than shed chucks