moochoo Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I've just been to Notcutt's garden centre in Shirley, Birmingham and to my horror they are now selling chickens in their pet's department. I did reserve judgement for about 3 seconds before seeing a sign that said each chicken would lay you 8- 10 eggs per week on average! All the girls were warrens and seemed in good health but had a rather cramped run. There was no info on how to care for them anywhere and some of the houses they were selling had no perches or nesting boxes. There were only 2 bags of layers pellets to buy, no poultry grit or red mite powder to be seen. I'm afraid I had a little complain I spoke to the manager who was very nice and explained my concerns. He admitted they knew little about poultry keeping but that they were selling lots of chooks as they are a popular pet! He did listen to me and said he would remove the sign about the 8-10 eggs. I suggested they needed to provide a better overall service as people would expect to get their chicken supplies from there if they knew no better. He ageed. I also told him not to sell single chickens as they are a social creature he made a note of this. I told him that I was a regular customer there and would be back to review the changes at a later date. I also suggested one of the staff goes on a chicken keeping course too. I really hope it improves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Good for you!! How disgraceful that they should be selling poultry in this way, with no knowledge or understanding at all. Offer your services as a "consultant"....it sounds as if they need someone who knows what they are talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 That's awful. Good on you for voicing your concerns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Good for you for putting them straight! I have a Notcutts near my Mum's house. Might have to pop in there and see if they sell chickens too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Good for you for putting them straight! I have a Notcutts near my Mum's house. Might have to pop in there and see if they sell chickens too! You'll came home with two under each arm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I may well pop into Notcutts this next week or so Sarah so i will check up to see if they have changed anything. Its mad to think that such a huge store where hundreds of people pass though every day can sell live stock without any background knowledge - it just makes you mad doesnt it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Don't tell everyone! Might you, OH is at work today *grabs car keys* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 its not a shop I've heard of before but good for you, they have no right to sell live animals without knowledge of how to look after them, I wonder what other pets they sell in the same way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 That is appalling! Glad you put them right Moochoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riane Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I suppose this is where the current popularity of chickens could be a problem....people wanting to make a quick buck ..they'll be selling them down the pub next! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Well done for doing something - I hope it makes a diiference. I wondered how long it would be before these companies jumped on the bandwagon trying to make a profit from selling chooks they know next to nothing about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Good for you ahving a moan about this. Its not good. If someone is going to buy, they need proper information given to them by the seller. I feel the chicken keeping trend on the up. I just hope it doesnt lead to abandoned or uncared for chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 They are just down the road from me, I'll try and call in this week. Might even go tomorrow, treat myself and boys to lunch Will report on what I find! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 are they a national chain? if they are then we need to get visiting!! not good that they are selling chooks like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Right - where's my nearest Notcutts? We had one in St Albans when I lived there - Sheila, are you over your flu now? Maybe we should check it out!! That is a downright disgrace that they are selling chickens without adequate supplies, information or support. Chooks are far more complicated initially than a cat or dog and I bet they don't sell those!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I do hope he took note and wasn't just paying you lip service. Are they a chain or an independant? if a chain, I'd be tempted to write/mail the head office with your concerns. It's disgraceful that retail outlets can sell living creatures without the necessary knowledge to advise customers on their after care. Good for you for speaking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 They are a national chain. To be honest the manager did seem to take my complaint seriously and listened and took notes. I thought that I would visit again in a week and see if things have improved. If not, I'll be writing to their head office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 It sounds like a directive from above then doesn't it. Hopefully you will have given him the ammunition to take it further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Well I went to Notcutts in Shirley with my boys this afternoon, bribed them with the chance to play in their playground for a bit! No change re the signs. When I asked the assistant she explained that it was for chickens, not a single chicken and no-one else had questioned it. 3 chickens for sale. All were together in a clean if small pen scratching around in straw. I'd agree with everything originally posted. I'm going to ring their manager now, the boys were tetchy so didn't want to go into full rant there and then. I also spotted 2 dead fish in their fish section. Yuk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layla Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 i 'm going to go and take a look next week i think..........i can't beleive they are selling chickens in this way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Oh dear, that doesn't sound good . I suppose big chains think that they can muscle in on the growing trend for chicken keeping and make a fast buck without doing any homework or providing any support service for customers. Good on you for raising it with the manager Moochoo & Goosey, lets hope that they pay attentention to what you say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Why not contact the local paper? - Notcutts won't like bad publicity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I've just got off the phone to the Manager. New signs have been ordered and are expected in store by Thursday. He confirmed I wasn't the first person to question the wording and agreed that it was misleading. He assured me that hens are sold in pairs hence 8-10 eggs per week. He was concerned about the dead fish and was going off to have a look at the tanks and in the record book. They are 1 member of staff short today due to illness but said that wasn't an excuse for dead fish, tanks are meant to be checked every morning. I also complained that one of their animal tanks was open and my 4 year old nearly ended up inside it and would have been rolling around in dirty shavings if I hadn't had my wits about me. This is also to be corrected as it was completely unnecessary. Another visit next week I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I think that's shocking that a place like that can suddenly start selling chickens without knowledgeable staff or any of the essential equipment required . Good for you for raising your concerns - let's hope they take note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Well done Goosey! I think the more people that comment, the better informed they are going to have to be. As I said earlier I'll definitely go back and check up on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...