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[The Dogmother]

Good call Tessa - a bit like one of my favourites; that all youngsters should be made to work in a childrens nursery for a few months - that'd make them far more prudent about their contraception

[Willow]

Humm not sure about the working in a nursery being a deterrent - having a baby sibling when I was in my teens and doing plenty of the childcare just made me want lots of children although I did wait

[Bexiboo]

I first became a member in 2005 and have only just got my hens so I think that shows I didn't rush into it.,.

 

Cor you waited longer than me! I joined in 06 and waited just over 2 years for mine lol.

[bronze]

 

I do feel though that the forum is not good at differentiating between those who have researched hatching and have everything prepared and those who go into it blind. I think everyone's getting tarred with the same brush. I don't feel very comfortable posting questions on here about hatching.

 

Been nervous to post

[Guest]

I dont believe a delayed needlessly Phil, or rather I chose not to have them until I could give them the time they deserved.

 

ok - I believe you - it was meant to be a humourous comment (hence the smilie).

 

I don't think anyone on this thread need feel guilty or feel they have to justify the animals they have or the breeding they do. (sorry, Jules, if you are now hesitant - I'm sure you needn't be - you'll still get a very positive response to hatching questions you write.)

 

I'm sure that's not what Claret's intention was, she is preaching largely to the converted, I'm sure.

 

I'm glad you waited - you sound like a very responsible owner - like all the people on this thread do,

 

my chickens were a bit of an impulse - I did some reading - but actually bought them quite quickly after seeing the eglu site.

 

Phil

[Ziggy]

I got my hens pretty quickly, but then did read about it beforehand, and asked omlet about questions i had, and read on here too... it became obvious to me quite quickly that I would be fine with chooks... for a dog I'm taking two years, because I want to get the dog once my youngest starts school, and also I have a long, long list of things to investigate...

 

I don't think it's wrong to do something soon if one has bothered to get the right information and is ready to deal with things and take full responsibility... that obviously also means careful financial consideration...

 

I wouldn't condemn anyone who makes a faster decision, if it's the right decision to their circumstances... no one should adopt a pup instantly without thinking about it, but to be honest thinking 5 years before getting chickens (unless there is an obvious reason to wait, like a move or something) might be pushing it too... I made up those two extreme examples, pls don't anyone take them personally, but the right time is when YOU know what you are doing and what you are letting yourself in for, and your finances and lifestyle allow it...

[Egluntyne]

I don't think anyone on this thread need feel guilty or feel they have to justify the animals they have or the breeding they do. (sorry, Jules, if you are now hesitant - I'm sure you needn't be - you'll still get a very positive response to hatching questions you write.)

 

I'm sure that's not what Claret's intention was, she is preaching largely to the converted, I'm sure.

 

I'm not sure that it is entirely fair to describe Claret's raising of this tricky subject as preaching.

 

I know that a great deal of though went into it.

 

There have been some worrying panic stricken posts recently by people who have gone into hatching with the best of intentions I'm sure, but haven't planned ahead.

 

Whilst events can overtake the most careful and fastidious of people, not knowing the requirements of a newly hatched chick or having a brooder at least at the ready(if not using a broody hen) is a matter for concern, and it is this kind of thing that Claret is trying to persuade people not to do.

 

If one disaster is averted by someone reading this thread and thinking ahead then it was worth it.

 

No insult to anyone was ever intended.

Edited June 11, 2008 by Guest

[Guest]

I'm not sure that it is entirely fair to describe Claret's raising of this tricky subject as preaching.

 

oh - sorry - i assumed "preaching to the converted" was a common phrase. it isn't negative - and doesn't imply no thought - it just means that the message is getting across to people who are already committed to the thing you are talking about.

 

sorry if that wasn't clear,

 

phil

[Egluntyne]

It wasn't.

 

Apology accepted.

[chelsea]

 

oh - sorry - i assumed "preaching to the converted" was a common phrase.

 

I thought so too Phil ! (and I knew what you meant).

 

anyway, back on topic

 

I resisted buying more hens today from our friendly breeders at a local garden centre, she had loads of little frizzles, barnevelders, brahmas and RIR.

[Abbey Road Girl]

A thoughtful and useful post, Clare, and good responses as well.

 

It made me think of my 17 year old Jack Russell who had to be put to sleep two years ago after five years of being bladder incontinent and 18 months of being doubly incontinent. As long as she was capable of enjoying her life, then the pee and poo had to be forgiven (not always easy when discovering them in bare feet).

 

When you take on any animal you have to do whatever it takes to care for them properly.

 

Actually, I don't want more than four hens!!!!

[ubereglu]

This has been an interesting thread.

 

I had to do a lot of research before I got chickens about their housing, feeding and daily routine etc. At the time I didn't see why my parents were making me do this, but I do now. They wanted to make sure that I would actually really want them, care for them and appreciate them. To start of with we didn't get an eglu, instead we made a wooden coop which we still have and got two chooks, Henrietta and Muddles.

 

By the time it was October I asked if I could get another chicken, after a while they said I could as they realised that I would look after them and care for them and loved them to bits-so then we got Starlet.

 

Then I really wanted an eglu, I said I would pay for it and eventually they realised I was deadly serious about wanting one and so I raised all the money myself and this is how I ended up with one.

 

When Henrietta had to be put down last year I was distraught and we waited until I'd gone back to school until we got new ones. At the time I didn't understand why I had to wait so long to get replacements, but now I do as this meant the holidays were over, I'd be at home more often as I'd get back from school and could spend some time with them and also our lovely neighbours wouldn't have to end up with new squabbling chickens who were just coming into lay and providing them with funny eggs!

 

Now I'm in the mood to have a couple of bantams and get them to live in the wooden coop. However I know I can't do this as the garden really couldn't be properly maintained with 6 chickens living in it and during the summer months I wouldn't have time to louse powder and do essential care for them. Maybe if we loose one or two of our flock then we'll consider a couple of bantams, but for now I know that it's not fair on the animals.

[hillfamily]

just caught up with thread - very good Clare

 

I have often had to let Prudence make a decision or two for me - and in the end she's always right

[Sheilaz]

....I do feel though that the forum is not good at differentiating between those who have researched hatching and have everything prepared and those who go into it blind. I think everyone's getting tarred with the same brush. I don't feel very comfortable posting questions on here about hatching.

 

Been nervous to post

 

Just wanted to pick up on this first (takes off purple, floppy mod.hat) Remember that this is an open forum and there has been a surge of posts about hatching, some of which have sounded downright irresponsible! So, I'm very glad to see Claret's topic and to welcome Prudence.

 

However, this is definitely not to make anyone else feel bad about what they have chosen to do, or are planning to do Superjules! It's obvious when someone posts who really cares & is in a position to look after their poultry, "Ooops, word censored!"ody is judging anyone here!

 

There's also nothing wrong about sometimes being impulsive or getting a bit carried away (as in 10 hens instead of 2 ) as long as welfare needs are still prime consideration, it's still all within considered boundaries.

 

Bronze, there's absolutely nothing for you to be nervous about in posting on the subject! It is clear that you are passionate and knowledgeable about your hens. I've noticed how informative & supportive your posts have been.

 

Liz, that was a lovely post, I see you know Patience as well as Prudence.

[Egg Lou]

Well done on a great subject! I know I am very new and a total novice but I wanted my hens from 10 years and spent 4 months researching (mainly on here!) before getting my girls last week.

 

I've had my current 2 horses for nearly 12 years ( from foals ) and rescue dogs for many years so very aware of the commitment, effort and time needed to care for any animal I have the pleasure to care for.

 

I have my pets for life regardless of how long that may be and get quite upset at how often fasionable pets seem to come and go without much thought.

 

I would like to add to my flock and have already considered it.. but with further thought decided that I really need to gain far more experience of these lovely creatures before embarking on any difficult introductions.. I may also consider hatching later on as can home any males with ease to a family friend..that said I would think and research extremely carefully before starting such a project..

 

I have been very surprised at the amount of "novice" hatching questions that would be ok if before the event but are asked as emergancies afterwards. I'm not talking about the experienced members here who hatch regularly and post for advice or to share the excitment as I love reading those

 

Anyway I shouldn't really have anything to say as too new but hey ho thats my tuppence worth as an important subject

[Phonix]

i still think that this topic is really important and although I do agree that its mainly preaching to the converted as those who take the time to read such a thread are probably those in the process of researching or who know Prudence well.

 

Superjules and Bronze - ive read your posts since i joined the forum and thought you both knew alot and care so much about you chooks and just want the best for them so I don't see the problem with posting questions that will help you to provide the best for your chooks/hatchlings and don't think you should feel wary about posting about any topic - if you dont ask you won't know i suppose is a good motto.

What does really annoy me is those who perhaps know nothing about, for example hatching eggs (me included in that but then I would never even think about this) and don't really research much into it and then end up in a sticky situation and post questions in an emergency that could have been rectified before they arose if the person had taken the time to read a little first.

 

I must say that I am seriously thinking about whether I should go ahead with getting the chooks now as I feel that I may be too naive and not notice if things are wrong with them and I want them to have the best.

I did rush into getting my cats BUT ive always had cats (my mum had hers before she had me - they were planned I was an accident lol) and I did know that I couldn't have kittens as I wasn't at home enough to spend enough time with them so I rescued 2 'juveniles' from the rescue centre and couldn't be without them

 

I do think that an animals for life and hate visiting the rescue centre as I just want to take every single one home with me and can't choose so I just sat in the pen and let my kitties choose me. I would hate to think that anyone getting chooks (myself included) would do so on a whim and so those poor chooks would end up in a rescue centre however, i don't think that anyone who has taken the time to post on this thread would end up doing this as they obviously care immensly and look their chooks/worry about any future chooks!

 

Sorry for the length of the post - i think im in major tongue tied mode this morning and can't seem to post anything without rambling on ALOT -

 

stacey

x

[Guest]

I think prudence is exactly right.

 

I recently had a broody and it made me think about hatching eggs. I think it would be a nice experience for James to see. I have cats and would NEVER consider letting them have kittens - I've always thought that was largely irresponsible, when you have to home them after anyway.

 

Chickens would be different, I would keep any girls. Boys would go to a farmer friend. I guess I would also take him any deformed chicks as I know I couldn't do what had to be done. TBH I would happily have boys back for the freezer! I also have an Eglu which is only used for introductions so I have seperate accomodation.

 

But I'm not ready to do it yet, the timing would need to be right and that would mean it would fit in with our life - we are going aay for 2 weeks in August and again at Christmas - It wouldn't be fair to ask anyone to look after babies.

 

So prudence keeps winning out!

 

It's something I will do one day, when the time is right

[freddie]

Is Prudence the one who, when I finished my contract in S Africa, did not cause me to hesitate to bring back my 2 cats, put them through quarantine, thus forgoing a car for the 6 months as I couldn't afford both!!.

 

Her middle name is Responsibility

which is a word not used so often these days...

I think this forum is great, it's a font of useful info; very few people who have any type of animal, (or child!!) know everything, and here has been a wondrful source of experience/info. about all sorts of things.

 

Never stop asking questions,only the fool knows it all.

[Ziggy]

Is Prudence the one who, when I finished my contract in S Africa, did not cause me to hesitate to bring back my 2 cats, put them through quarantine, thus forgoing a car for the 6 months as I couldn't afford both!!.

 

That's lovely to hear... so many animals are given up to rescues or rehomed just because the owner is moving house or getting a new job... My view is always that we have 5 cats, 5 chooks, 2 rats, fish and next year I hope a dog too, and no matter what happens, wherever I go, they will go too... They are part of the household, part of the family, and any future plans will include them too... If we ever have to move, we'll move somewhere they can go too, or won't move... I wouldn't give up a child because of a move, so won't give up a pet (I do put my children higher than my animals in the hierarchy of the family, but you get what I mean, once taken in, a pet is in, and not disposable)...

I realise that there are circumstances when people would have to rehome a pet because of a move or unexpected change in job and finances, I wouldn't condemn everyone who does, it's largely a question of personal circumstances, but giving up my animals would be a very last resort thing for me... I'd try everything else first, cause it would break my heart and my kids' heart to have to do it...

[The Dogmother]

Me too Ziggy

 

Rosie and my menagerie are a non-negotiable part of my life.

[redfrock]

when I have bought each of the houses, the suitability for my cats has been the primary concern. It could have been the most perfect house ever but if it had been on a busy road etc it would not have even entered into the equation. Thankfully this one ticked all the boxes (well ok, the rooms are all smaller than I wanted but the garden was perfect for the menagerie )

 

As with many others, my animals, with the exception of the chooks, are all rescues, and this was how it was when I was a child as well. Everything, including our goats (5 boys in total, three of which I bottle reared) were rescue animals then as well, again with the exception of the chooks.

[Gallina]

Prudence is all very well, but you can have too much of her: how many of us would have hens at all if we let Prudence rule the roost? She would have presented us with a balance sheet and a list of potential problems and said "Don't even think of it".

 

I learnt how to look after hens as I went along, and it has worked out all right. And I daresay that some people have successful hatching experience with this method too, provided they obtain their incubator/broody hen before the eggs and do a little reading before they start.

[Ziggy]

I think Claret means that one has to be well prepared, rather than know everything and wait for years before making a decision... even with best preparation, getting an animal always is an ongoing learning process... The key is the decision has to be made wisely, and once it is made, the responsibility has to be taken seriously...

A friend of mine once bought hamsters for her son... she bought a male and a female, and let them live together... she didn't realise they'd have babies!!! A few months down the line she had 60 hamsters and didn't know what to do... that's irresponsible... Reading up what looking after chooks involves, and making a quick but wise and adequate decision, is fine... that's not irresponsible, when one is aware of what is involved, whether it fits with one's lifestyle and circumstances, and is prepared to deal with things as they happen.

[The Dogmother]

I think Claret means that one has to be well prepared, rather than know everything and wait for years before making a decision... even with best preparation, getting an animal always is an ongoing learning process... The key is the decision has to be made wisely, and once it is made, the responsibility has to be taken seriously...

A friend of mine once bought hamsters for her son... she bought a male and a female, and let them live together... she didn't realise they'd have babies!!! A few months down the line she had 60 hamsters and didn't know what to do... that's irresponsible... Reading up what looking after chooks involves, and making a quick but wise and adequate decision, is fine... that's not irresponsible, when one is aware of what is involved, whether it fits with one's lifestyle and circumstances, and is prepared to deal with things as they happen.

 

Thank you Ziggy

 

Sorry, but I haven't been on the forum this morning to offer any explanation.. that 'work stuff' beckoned

[Rhapsody]

Indiscriminate and thoughtless breeding- be it chooks, dogs, cats, bunnies or the people who appear on the Jeremy Kyle Show will always make me do this Claret made a fantastic point and I love it when people stick thier necks out and have an opinion