Selling, is it worth it?

I don't know how much longer I'll be keeping the Facebook page up guys. Sometimes its just not worth the aggravation lol.
I had to block a person today. He's upset that every time he's continually asked for cochin eggs or chicks, I either didn't have any, or the weather wasn't right for shipping ect. He's smarted me off before, and again today.
It would seem to be pretty clear to me, that shipping live animals on days that are going to be close to 100° isn't a good idea?
 And, I've told quite a few people that I've heard straight from reputable breeders that alot of birds are arriving late and dead because the p.o. has its head up it's rear end due to this covid stuff.
I've disappointed several people over the last few days who have wanted either Cochins or Orpingtons.
I could have made several sales, and shipped with no guarantees, but, I care more about the animals than to put them through that, and do not want people to lose their money on top of it.
He assured me that Another breeder is shipping birds to him anyway...best of luck buddy!
It takes months and years to raise animals. These Cochins have very low fertility. I don't have all that many hatched, and have to raise them up to choose some to keep myself. I don't have a large flock, and am trying to work on my own line, generation after generation. I've also turned down people that want me to ship Cochin hatching eggs because the fertility is too low and i don't want them to be disappointed.
It's not about selling mass amounts of chicks to make a buck.
Months of collecting eggs, few hatch, besides all the care of the adults through the seasons..they are not low maintenance.
It's hard to put a price on it all?
It's just not worth the aggravation to list what I have available between these type of people and the fb police.
I've seen breeders post that they don't even mess with trying to make their birds available and go through this type of thing..people don't take care of them and accuse you of selling something sick, or use your name to sell in the future ect, so they just take what they aren't keeping to auctions in the Fall. I thought it was a shame because alot of people really interested in the breed miss out, but I'm understanding more all of the time why they do it!
I do appreciate those of you who've gotten birds from me and are working on raising your own, hope you do well!
If you're still waiting to find chicks or hatching eggs of any breed available, keep checking with reputable breeders, and if you're having them shipped, try to get them when temps are mild. I had to search and wait and also endure some loss when trying to get started with my breeds, but it's do-able!

Cheryl

Roosters Wounding Hens?

Scroll if you don't want to see a healing hen's wound...

Let me tell you guys, this photo does no justice to the horrific wound this girl had. I was always a person that thought hen saddles were ridiculous..maybe not.
This is one of my big cochin girls. I noticed her hiding and deathly afraid of the rooster. When I checked her over, I discovered that her right side under the wing was torn wide open. You could literally see muscle tissue and gaping skin...omg, I felt so bad for her.
It was an injury from the rooster mating with her. Sometimes their spurs can cause this. I've never had it happen so I wasn't expecting it.
I almost put her down immediately, but my Cochin girls are not only valuable, they are my pets. She was still eating, drinking and moving around, so I decided to try and give her a chance.
I boiled out the wound with peroxide in case any flies had gotten in there and to kill bacteria ect. It was a pretty clean wound. I had my husband grab this blue kote type of spray and I've treated her with that now for several days.
She's doing amazingly well and healing up!
This stuff is great. It kills bacteria and seals wounds.

Sharing with you all in case you ever have this happen. I've decided to keep my hens separate from the rooster from now on except for short breeding periods.
I don't and haven't ever had this issue with other breeds.
Speaking of my own, they have soft loose feathering that comes out easily and their skin can easily be torn by these large heavy roosters.
Hope you never have to experience it, but I'll always have some of this spray on hand for wounds.

Biosecurity - People Security

I sometimes list chicks or adults on Craigslist and Facebook when they are ready for new homes. I've encountered some "interesting" people that way. Generally they ask fifty questions and want to see fifty pictures and then go ghost.
Why..why pester someone and waste all that time when you were never serious about buying anything? They will also usually want me to take less than I'm asking.
I never let people come to our home unless they are someone I know well, or are local and right down the road. I've had people get extremely offended when I've said no I'm sorry, you can't come to my home, I will meet you in a public place.
Now being on the buyer end myself sometimes, I understand wanting to know that someone is keeping clean and healthy conditions. I gladly show pictures and videos of my coops. But, the world we now live in is too crazy and dangerous to give strange people your address and let them see exactly what you have, and exactly where you have it. Seeming tire-kickers have went to sellers homes to look at livestock, said they would think about it, then came back and robbed the people blind..their home AND their animals!
Nope, I won't do it, and if that offends someone, they'll just have to move on.

There's also the issue of visitors who have chickens, unknowingly bringing disease in on their shoes, clothes and hands to your birds. That's also why I've all but quit selling at swaps. Someone handles several other chickens,  then wants to handle yours..not good.
It's impossible to avoid all risk of disease unless your birds never get out of an indoors barn or coop because wild birds also carry some disease that can spread to chickens and waterfowl. You can also unknowingly bring disease home on feed bags but...we can at least use common sense and do the best we can to avoid sicknesses, which includes always quarantining new chickens for 30 days.

Biosecurity and people security.

They're Baaack! Buffalo Gnats

Updated Thoughts - Nurture Right Incubator

I thought I had found the perfect incubator.. unfortunately not, sigh. Short video sharing what issues I've had with them, and since I'm stuck with them, some things I've done to try to get use from them...

Playin' Possum

I caught someone having an afternoon snack..time to refortify the runs.

Coop Visitor

What I'm Currently Feeding

I've added this Kalmbach feed in addition to all of the adult chickens base feed, which Purina flock raiser. It's a little pricey and I have to have it shipped because I can't find local dealers, but they all absolutely love it. It has really good levels of protein and vitamins. All ages also get scrambled or boiled eggs often for extra protein, besides some grass time and things from the garden. I've searched out and tried out many brands and types of feed, but I'm pretty happy with this combination, finally!
I always say it, the chickens eat better than me lol.

Kalmbach Henhouse Reserve