Unsecure chicken perches

[daxigirl]

I'm really thinking that chicken keeping is not for me.

 

Dixie didn't come back from the vets, I decided that it was better to put us both out of her misery. I got home to find that Tufty (of the gape worms) who seemed to be doing so much better is having a bit of trouble with her balance when moving about, any ideas that don't involve a vet gratefully recieved.

 

That makes 7 gone this year + the 4 boy chicks. I get the feeling I'm doing something dreadfully wrong for them all.

 

Just sold the incubator and brooder heater and cage as I don't want to hatch anymore.

 

Feeling very sorry for myself at work this evening.

[Luvachicken]

Awwwww, here's a hug from me xxxxx

I'm sorry things haven't turned out how you would have liked.

Things will get better.

Sometimes life goes like that. Things tick along nicely and then lots of different things all happen at the same time.

 

I hope you decide to keep some chickens though, I find them very realxing in their own kind of way.

 

Here's another hug xxxxx

[scarlettohara]

Don't be sad, I've lost all four ex bats this year, plus a bantam to a fox and 2 bantams to a virus It does get you down but that's chickens - don't give up

[mollyripkim]

Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time at the moment. Maybe now is not the best time to make a decision about giving up, when the sun shines again and things are going better you may refind your enjoyment of the girls and remember why you got them.

[jackian]

I.m so sorry you are going through a tough patch . Don't do anything drastic ,the weather has been grim and as all ready been mentioned the sun will shine.

What ever has happened to your girls I am sure you have given them loads of TLC and your garden would be empty with out them.

I lost one after 3 months and one after 6 weeks for different reasons I thought it was me but now still have 2 of my origin al girls and 1 later one after a year. I think they are so theraputic and help me through tough times by just watching their antics . xxx Jackie xxx

[newcountrygirl]

Don't get disheatened. As soon as the sun starts to shine - everything will look and feel much better. I wouldnt be without my girls - even if they are contrary.

[Chortle Chook]

Don't give up, daxigirl. You couldn't have got to 'All Knowing Superchicken' if you weren't pretty keen on chooks. 7 lost in a year is a lot and must be making you feel very sad and unlucky too, but if you have a batch of the same age you are more likely to loose several at once. Also with this dreadful weather, slugs and snails and therefore things like gape worms are more prevalent, as are other nasties. Times are hard right now but the sun will come out and you'll surely get back to enjoying your chooks. All the same, don't let Tufty suffer for want of a vet. I'm sure you won't.

[Daphne]

Wise words from CC

 

You've been on here long enough for us to know you are a good chook keeper, but it is true bad things seem to go in waves and we get so caught up with our birds its really distressing when everything is going wrong. Only you know when/if enough is enough but don't make any hasty decisions. Have a quiet time if that is what you are feeling; it might reinvigorate your appetite for the whole thing, after all it is supposed to be fun I'm sure the right decision will make itself felt In the meantime, good luck with Tufty - could she have bumblefoot? or a physical strain?

[Redwing]

Dont get down I know it seems bad at the moment but having met you and seen your passion I would say stick with it

 

Sometimes things get a bit much and hatching adds to the problems, maybe just enjoy your girls and get back to enjoying them and not slogging away at the daily grind of looking after a bigger flock and chicks. Step back from things evaluate what you have and whether you can make life easier by combining groups, changing coop/run formats etc..

[Gertie]

Sorry to hear you are feeling down. It sounds like you did your best and gave them a good life, care and attention they deserved. Sometimes chooks do seem to have short lives for one reason or another. I felt like giving up too after losing some chooks and feeling like a bad chicken mummy. I just kept with the chooks I had left and simplified my set up and just enjoyed them again, as Redwing said. I think the forum posts about numerous sick and poorly hens and how hard we all try to help them get better just shows how many things can go wrong and I bet lots of folk feel like they are doing it wrong!!! I definitely did!

 

I realised that I didn't want to be without hens, as my remaining few are ageing. Now I have a few more again.

 

Hope you feel a bit more positive about it all soon.

[Roselady]

Im sorry you re feeling so down and hope you can take heart from all the kind words