Thinking of giving up....an

[notremotelyintofootie]

Hi, we have had our girls for almost a year now and they live in a wooden coop with a run that is kept on concrete slabs, I let them out to free range as much as possible too and they love digging up under the tree and come to the kitchen door to see me etc...

Before I got them I did loads of research and both ds and dh said they would help out, I am allergic to dog and cats so we said the girls would be pets plus we were eating tons of eggs!

Fast forward a year, I am the only one who let's them out in the morning and feeds them and i can count on one hand the number of times the others have either done this or locked them up at night... I get all te supplies and do all the cleaning even when I have been ill and despite the fact that I am the only one who puts dd (15mths) to bed as I still bf...

The buggers also seem to have stopped eating so many eggs and yet we still get 3 a day...

I am seriously considering finding new homes for the girls and yet when I mentioned this I got a 'aww but we like them!' and yet still no help!

I'm in much the same position with being the only one who actually looks after them

If you're not sure about keeping them then I'm sure there'd be lots of people who'd take them on for you.

You need to have a few firm words with your dh and ds. Hens aren't difficult to keep and they should make an effort, particularly if you're bf and when you're ill.

Sounds like you need to put your foot down with the putting dd to bed thing too. Your dh could easily do that, you need to take it in turns. They're taking advantage of you.

yes, agree yo ushould put your foot down.

have a rota.
especially for getting them up in the morning - i've been on the receiving end of a hen that's late out of the coop, so I know they'll kick up a fuss if one misses their turn.

It's all to do with teaching responsibility (although your DH shouldn't need teaching mif he's a grown man. )

as for your surplus - you are allowed to sell eggs without registering with Defra - it's called farmgate selling

Well I have decided to let the girls go this week, just need to find a new home for them so anyone want 3 lovely laying hens in Oxford? I have a columbine, a rhode rock and a warren!

no! :(

that's really sad.

did noone take you seriously?

Nope, even though this week I am on increased inhaled steriods plus prednisone and more antibiotics for my 3 month cough and my ibs ia playing up I still have had to do everything and the coop and run need cleaning tomorrow which I never get help for!

I'm sorry.

have you tried not lettign them out and seeing if they do anything?
:(

They wouldn't notice at all I'm afraid....

i live in glos, so not too far from you, if you get stuck for homes.

i've got 5 warrens who are all family pets. we did have 7 at one time and wasnt planning on any more....but then i always say that until the next unplanned hens need a home!

pm me if you think i can help

ive done quite a few informal rehomings over the years for myself and friends so am used to helping new hens integrate with our bunch

Thanks, I have had 5 requests to rehome them, a mix of enthusiastic novices (both with kids, one with 3 cats and a dog too), someone with 2 elderly hens (had 4) and someone who lost theirs to foxes before Xmas...

It's so hard to decide who should have the girls!

i'm glad you've got a choice of homes.

i would find it hard to decide too. if it was me i would look into rehoming with the people who have two elderly hens. dont know how you know them but if they have had hens for years then they know what to expect and maybe your girls would be with them for the rest of their lives. thats just my gut feeling though from the little info i have. i'm sure you will make the right decision for them

I agree with chickchick - it's important to rehome them with someone who knows the commitment - the family might end up having the same problems that you've experienced.