As many of you know, this past week we’ve been unexpectedly welcomed into the world of raising chickens! It wasn’t something we planned—one of our hens started sitting on her eggs, and we thought, why not let nature take its course?
A Surprise Journey into Chicken Raising
Last week, the first chick hatched, followed by another a few days later. I was excited but also inexperienced, so I dove into research mode, determined to be the best chicken mum possible. There was so much to think about—what to feed them, how to care for them, and what to do with the remaining unhatched eggs.
That’s when I discovered something important: after a few days, the mother hen stops sitting on her eggs to focus on her hatched chicks. This meant we had to move the remaining eggs into an incubator. I wasn’t sure if any would hatch, but a few days later, another tiny chick popped out! And that’s when the real challenge began.
Conflicting Advice: What’s the “Right” Way?
I turned to the internet for guidance on how to introduce the incubator-hatched chick to the mother hen. What I found was an avalanche of conflicting advice.
🤔 Some people said to place the chick under the mother immediately.
😕 Others swore by waiting until nighttime.
🫤 Some suggested giving the chick a day or two to steady itself before reintroducing it.
🤷🏻♀️ Others insisted a daytime introduction was best.
It was a never-ending cycle of contradictions, and I was left completely unsure of what to do. But then, a piece of advice I received nearly 20 years ago came to mind.
When I had my first baby, a friend told me:
"Deb, find one or two people whose parenting approach resonates with you, and follow their advice. Block out the rest. Most importantly, trust your gut."
That wisdom had helped me navigate parenting, and suddenly, it made perfect sense in this situation, too.
Finding a Plan That Works for You
I thought back to the advice that had made the most sense—videos that felt right, and a tip from a friend of a friend who had raised countless chickens. My daughter and I put together a plan that worked for us and our chickens.
Today, we introduced the chick, and so far, so good. Of course, we’re not out of the woods yet, but we know we’ve done our absolute best to give the little one a strong start.
The whole experience made me realise how easy it is to feel lost when you’re trying to do something new, especially when so many voices are telling you different things. And that’s exactly what happens when people bring a new dog into their home.
Overwhelmed? Navigating Dog Training Advice Can Be Tricky
Welcoming a new dog into your family can be overwhelming. Just like with parenting—or chicken raising!—everyone has an opinion, and the internet is full of conflicting advice. Add in the well-meaning but unsolicited input from friends and family, and suddenly, you’re drowning in information.
At the end of the day, there are many ways to raise a happy, well-adjusted dog. Of course, some approaches are better than others, but if you go in with the right intentions, trust your instincts, and commit to a plan, you’ll find success.
So, this blog is a little different from my usual ones. This is just a reminder:
You’ve got this!
Final Thought
If you're struggling with navigating dog training advice, remember that consistency with one trusted method is often more effective than constantly switching approaches. Find a trainer who resonates with you—whether that’s me or someone else—and commit to their guidance. While it’s great to stay open to learning, too much “noise” can leave you second-guessing yourself. Constantly changing tactics, especially when you're on the verge of a breakthrough, can slow progress and lead to frustration.
So, take a deep breath, trust your gut, and stay the course. Your dog (or chick!) will thank you for it.
Thanks for reading! I hope you found this post helpful. Don’t forget to throw your dog a treat from all of us 🐶
Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew
P.S. Want more personalised advice?
👉 Check out our training sessions or send me a message—I’d love to help!
And if you found this helpful, share it with a fellow dog lover who might need a little extra support. 💕
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