Ready to throw in the towel!

[Soon2BChixMom]

My original birds and my two newest came from a free range set up. They adjusted just fine. In fact my original 4 went from sleeping in trees at night to a prefab set up. I think we tend to project our thoughts onto the birds. They might not understand or like the change and maybe will squawk a bit at first, but a living bird is better than not.

 

[123RedBeard]

Duct tape the pull-out EZ clean floor shut.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have had to replace my flock three times due to disease or predation. I've had to say good-bye to more chickens than I care to ever in a lifetime; many times by my own hand. Despite thousands spent on coops, wire, feeders, feed, incubators, brooders, traps, decoys, and medicine, my flock continues to decline. I lost my best, and most beautiful, breeder last night to another Owl attack. My backyard is a mess of chicken poo and dead plants that will never return, and I've given up on trying to grow my grass back. I can't sleep past 4 AM because that's when the roosters wake up....
When do you decide that enough is enough? I have, for the most part, enjoyed this hobby. But, that's all it ever was or will be. I don't sell or eat the eggs, we don't show the chickens, and the level of destruction to my backyard is very likely insurmountable. I've even had to pay to repair the paint on my car after my red sex-links decided it would be a good place to roost! I love my babies; perhaps enough to know that I don't want to see another one ripped to pieces by opportunistic and uncontrollable birds of prey.
I'm not writing this for pity points. I'm looking for an honest discussion regarding thoughts, experiences, opinions, and advice. This is a big decision, and I want to be as informed as possible before making it.

I will address your original question, enough is enough if you aren't enjoying it anymore. Chicken keeping shouldn't be difficult. If you have lots of predators than keep your flock confined. If you are worried about their mental health from confinement than keep bantams that handle confinement well.

The great thing about chicken keeping is it can be many different things. You have to figure out what works best for you and your situation. A hobby is done for enjoyment, once that's gone it isn't a hobby anymore, it's a obligation.

It's taken me about 25 years to figure out my husbandry. I still tweak stuff yearly. It's an ever evolving hobby that I take great joy in, you should too.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

I totally get the way you feel; its grieving. Completely within reason. When my horses died I said never again...but I still really miss them. When I lost cockateils in my home aviary I said never again...they are still sadly missed. It was what I had to do to protect my broken heart! But if you feel that you can get past this then dont say never. Keep figuring it out til its solved. I feel like you can!

 

[whit246]

I have had to replace my flock three times due to disease or predation. I've had to say good-bye to more chickens than I care to ever in a lifetime; many times by my own hand. Despite thousands spent on coops, wire, feeders, feed, incubators, brooders, traps, decoys, and medicine, my flock continues to decline. I lost my best, and most beautiful, breeder last night to another Owl attack. My backyard is a mess of chicken poo and dead plants that will never return, and I've given up on trying to grow my grass back. I can't sleep past 4 AM because that's when the roosters wake up....
When do you decide that enough is enough? I have, for the most part, enjoyed this hobby. But, that's all it ever was or will be. I don't sell or eat the eggs, we don't show the chickens, and the level of destruction to my backyard is very likely insurmountable. I've even had to pay to repair the paint on my car after my red sex-links decided it would be a good place to roost! I love my babies; perhaps enough to know that I don't want to see another one ripped to pieces by opportunistic and uncontrollable birds of prey.
I'm not writing this for pity points. I'm looking for an honest discussion regarding thoughts, experiences, opinions, and advice. This is a big decision, and I want to be as informed as possible before making it.

 

[whit246]

wow! I really feel for you.I have just one abandoned hen, which I bought coop for, but now I know that is where it ends.Can't afford to raise a brood.Will keep one as pet & leave it at that. Good Luck

 

[Blooie]

You're getting some very good advice from some very good people. If I may, I'd like to say something that @oldhenlikesdogs has touched on perfectly...it's okay to quit.

I know, I know - <gasp> How sacrilegious on this site! But I quit, and you know, the sun still came up the next morning and the birdies still sang. And I'm still here on BYC, helping where I can with what I've learned, learning more myself, and socializing with friends I've made. I may get chickens again in the future, I don't know. We've talked about it, but nothing has been decided yet. My set up is great, my birds were healthy, never lost any to cold, or disease, or predators, but hubby's new position in his fraternal organization means traveling - lots and lots of traveling! The entire month of September we were only at home for 4 days. THAT kind of traveling! We are both up there in age, and I was having some medical issues that I haven't gone into much here on BYC yet. Seemed to us that the best time to rehome them and rethink was while they were all relatively young, healthy, and before I ended up putting things out there off for one day...then another...and before I would know it the coop and the birds would be showing signs of neglect. They deserved better from the person responsible for them.

So think things over carefully. If you can revamp and resecure, by all means do so. If you can figure out where your problems were coming from and can fix them, again, by all means do so. But if you decide that the headaches aren't worth it, that it's all becoming more than you bargained for, then there is no crime in facing it and doing what has to be done. You'll make the right choice when it's time. And you've always got a place to get your chicken fix - right here! I wish you all the best.

 

[llombardo]

They're all free range. I've considered building a larger coop and run, but I've already put so much money in that I don't think I could afford such a large endeavor. However, I'm really happy you mentioned this as it might be a far better alternative than rehoming the flock. Since we're on the subject, do you have any experience or advice on converting a flock of free-rangers to a closed coop and run?

They might look at you sad, much like let's say a child that was told no.

Do a nice run, get your backtard in order and enjoy the chickens.

Mine are in an enclised pen but I added a side area with a net on top for supervised free time. After about an hour they all go back to the run and they are happy.

 

[feathermaid]

Well, there are many different reasons people keep chickens, maybe you could just scale it back a bit. My chickens are just a hobby, for the eggs and entertainment.

Have you considered only rehoming your roo? I'm not allowed to have a rooster in town, but my girls don't need one to lay eggs!
Where are your chickens roosting at night if not in the coop?

Sounds like you definitely need a secure run. You don't have to build a roof, could just cover with poultry netting. I built my run out of 2x2s from a discount lumber yard --much cheaper than big box stores and I didn't find it necessary to go with 2x4s. The frames may be a bit flimsy on their own, but once HWC is attached (I used ½" staples spaced 1½" apart) they are very sturdy!

But I did splurge on the hardware cloth, and even that wasn't too expensive. Amazon has the best prices... look here. Using HWC just gives me the peace of mind knowing they're safe from predators.

Is your coop raised off the ground? If so, you could use the space underneath as part of the run. It also makes a good shelter area from the sun or rain, or offers a dust bathing area.

My first coop was super tiny and I let them free range all day. And yes, my yard got pretty destroyed too. Then I moved them to the side of my house (then I built a new coop)... my yard was already fenced all around and all I had to do was build a gate. What is your property like? Any cheater shortcut areas like that you could take?

This way they not only have a secure run, but also a contained area for some extra space during the day without damaging your yard. I still let mine out to the grassy backyard, but only while supervised.

Once you get your coop and run secure, your chickens will probably be happy to roost back inside. Oh, try sanitizing it first. Sometimes coops can become infested with mites and birds will refuse to go inside. There may be some squabbling and surprised looks during a short adjustment period when they realize they're not free range anymore, but soon they'll just forget and adapt to their new routine.
It's most important to make sure they have enough space though... 10 square feet per bird minimum, more is better: How Much Room Do Chickens Need
Not sure what breeds you have, but some do better in confinement than others.

Some things that help chickens in confinement:

• Deep litter attracts worms and beneficial bugs that chickens love to scratch for. Also economical and only needs to be changed once or twice a year.
• Additional roosts in the run offer a fun spot to just get off the ground or away from another who's bothering them.
• Access to a compost pile... more digging and scratching opportunities.

I'm sure there's more, just can't think right now with the family bothering me for dinner.

 

[Jessicx]

You're getting some very good advice from some very good people. If I may, I'd like to say something that @oldhenlikesdogs has touched on perfectly...it's okay to quit.

I know, I know - <gasp> How sacrilegious on this site! But I quit, and you know, the sun still came up the next morning and the birdies still sang. And I'm still here on BYC, helping where I can with what I've learned, learning more myself, and socializing with friends I've made. I may get chickens again in the future, I don't know. We've talked about it, but nothing has been decided yet. My set up is great, my birds were healthy, never lost any to cold, or disease, or predators, but hubby's new position in his fraternal organization means traveling - lots and lots of traveling! The entire month of September we were only at home for 4 days. THAT kind of traveling! We are both up there in age, and I was having some medical issues that I haven't gone into much here on BYC yet. Seemed to us that the best time to rehome them and rethink was while they were all relatively young, healthy, and before I ended up putting things out there off for one day...then another...and before I would know it the coop and the birds would be showing signs of neglect. They deserved better from the person responsible for them.

So think things over carefully. If you can revamp and resecure, by all means do so. If you can figure out where your problems were coming from and can fix them, again, by all means do so. But if you decide that the headaches aren't worth it, that it's all becoming more than you bargained for, then there is no crime in facing it and doing what has to be done. You'll make the right choice when it's time. And you've always got a place to get your chicken fix - right here! I wish you all the best.

I'm happy that someone who has had to make this choice replied....thank you! I was worried that my original post would come off as uncaring. I want to be clear that it is because I care that I can't stand to see my babies shredded to pieces every morning anymore. When I first got into this, I had no idea that would have to cull roosters. I had no idea we had such an aggressive predation issue. No idea that my backyard would be destroyed or that I would forever be powerwashing my deck. My greatest mistake is that I bought several coops with the intention to free-range. I spent so much money in the beginning, I'm not sure I can afford to build a run now. Seeing your words help considerably, as this truly comes down to whether I can walk away from something in which I am so deeply invested.