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Kit

What do I do? Chickens being poorly looked after

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I have noticed at the local allotment that chickens and cockerals are being kept which isn't the problem.

 

Problem is that there are all kinds of different breeds (large and small) locked in a shed which does have some windows but they are not being let out for long periods during the day. I asked the chap to show me his hens because I was interested and when he opened up his shed it was clear that there have been some kind of nasty bullying going on. Some hens have small amount of blood and lots of feathers missing and when I mentioned it he said it was the cockerals fighting with each other.

 

There are other hens which he seems to keep outside...the set up is not that great and each time I have been to the allotment the shed door seems to be locked. I know he goes there daily to feed them but is this enough?

 

Kit

 

ps the shed is what I consider to be very dirty but then again.... I change aubiose every 2 to 3 weeks!

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I agree with Eggy Bread, do phone the RSPCA. We have reported dog abuse to them a while ago, and although they ask for your name they do not reveal to anyone who has made the call. What is nice though is they they will phone you back and tell you the outcome of their investigation, so you are not left wondering what happened. Good luck. :D

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oh my goodness that's terrible :( but doesn't suprise me at all. i had to phone the rspca on a couple of occasions and haven't found them at all helpful :( unfortunately there don't seem to be any other organisations to use instead. hopefully with regards to the chickens in this thread it will be a happy ending :pray: hopefully they will offer advice on how he should house and look after his chooks.

 

 

 

Fenrisulven if you scroll down to the bottom of the page there is a new topic button and a post reply button :D

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Please don't feel guilty. I still feel you made the right call. I do see the point of having had a word with this man first, but if you see him often at the allotments and he refused to do anything then you had to call the RSPCA, then things could get really unpleasant. It's always hard to know what to do for the best and there's no right or wrong answer. Finger crossed a little chat from the RSPCA may just enlighten this chap. Let us know what happens.

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I personally do not have a problem with the dogs having to be shot given that they were in no fit state mentally or physically to be rehomed. I am not the greatest fan of rescue centres as I had a border collie rehomed with me that had been used for pit bull baiting and I was not told when she was handed over. We spent 18 months trying to socialise the dog but took the decision to have her put to sleep when she bit the postman. It was only then that the rescue centre admitted that her two sisters had been put to sleep after only six months in their new homes and that they had been used as bait for pit bulls. If someone had made a braver decision regarding these three border collies, then three people would not have had to suffer the injuries that they did (I understand it was a child that was bitten in one of the other cases).

 

If the dogs were so agressive that there was a danger of people getting bitten, then I can't see what else could be done. What life would they have had if they hadn't been put to sleep?

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I think we need to be realistic here.

The RSPCA may epitomise a shortfall in some peoples perceptions of an animal charity but they are often the only port of call. I worked closely with them on many occasions and while the organization was nowhere near perfect the inspectors on the ground were absolutely dedicated and fair.

I am in a similar position having to report a cockerel,two hens and two chicks banged up for days at a time.

I did not hesitate for a minute.

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Fenrisulven

 

When I first saw the hens and the state of accommodation I did mention that they should have access to more light and freedom. Also that there is a ratio to have with cockeral to hens plus the benefit of purple spray and that there were gadgets available to stop the hens from pecking at each other. 4 mths later there still seems to be no change so that is why I wrote on this forum for advice.

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They get worse larfmur. Take a look at how they now admit to shooting dogs.

 

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=207090&st=0

 

I call that pretty dreadful. What do you think?

 

Whilst I am not a great fan of the RSPCA I find the links a bit radical, have you joined the forum touting the anti RSPCA view?

 

Regarding this case, people have different views on what keeping chickens entails and not every one will keep their chickens in the lap of luxury like many of us do there is no mention of the cleanliness of the set up here or the size of the shed and a locked shed is a good precaution on an allotment so it may not be as bad as it seems. Yes in an ideal world chickens should have access to light and freedom but not everyone agrees and as long as the set up isnt actually cruel we have to appreciate that everyone has their own ideas of what is right and that people do not always move with the times

 

Also if cockerels are going to be kept for the table for example you can't have the ideal penning groups you have to keep them together its just not practical otherwise

 

I think its right to inform the RSPCA in cases of cruelty although I am not 100% that this case is cruel it will at least put your mind at rest to know you have reported it

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