madchickenlady Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Sorry, bit of a moan. I have just been asked, for the third time in a year, if I could rehome someones hens. Again, these hens were bought on a whim at a vastly inflated price from a garden centre. They were bought for the children of the family as an alternative to a rabbit, it seems Now the inevitable mess, poo, damage to the garden and a mild ear infection later, the owners don't want them. I can't take them, and have told the owners to take them to a chook sanctuary (although they wanted money for them ) I'm just wondering whether this surge in interest is always a good thing for the poor hens, when some people don't seem to think through the implications of chicken keeping. Sorry, rant over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) This is becoming more common my friend is a RSPCA officer and she says there is loads more in the last year she asked if I could take them! Winter is always bad the coop full of poo as the daylight hours not many eggs and garden damage! Not sure if mine will recover this year! Edited February 19, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Sadly it is a reflection of our consumer society today, I want, therefore I get - some people rarely look into the real costs and implications when they get an animal, particularly when it is part of a craze - just looked what happened with the terrapin fiasco when the hero turtles came out - most kid's parents never bothered to read about terrapins or discover they are viscious and grow to the size of dinner plates. It is the same reason that animal sanctuaries and RSPCA homes up and down the country are bursting at the seams with animals of all types. Both my kids have asked for different types of pets at various stages - often exotic things like lizards and snakes. I have always told them to go away and research what is involved and if they still feel they are committed and able to provide all their requirements then I would think about it. Inevitably they always ended up changing their minds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 It is annoying, anyone who approaches me for hens will be given a proper view of what its like to own them - of course I run the risk that they'll run to their car screaming I also hate the fact that people hatch with no plan for the cockerels, I understand that some people hatch with a plan then cant follow through with it as has happened a few times here (thats understandable when you have raised your chicks you get attached to them and the situation becomes very difficult ) however some people dont even consider what will happen to the boys then seem surprised when they start to fight or crow at all hours of the day and night!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 Totally agree about the cockerel issue, Redwing. I would love to hatch, and actually do have someone who would take the cockerels, but still haven't done so yet. I got very annoyed on another forum when someone said they had hatched boys and was advised to just let them go in the woods. When I said I thought that was cruel and not taking responsibility, I was told that culling is cruel and I should be ashamed of myself for advising it as a last resort (itwasn't a chook forum). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Its awful to see cross breed cockerels being sold for 40p at auction to an almost certain death, this involves two journeys and a stressful day in a sale cage just because someone doesnt want to cull or send to be culled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 It will probably get worse as so many places have jumped on the bandwagon of chicken keeping People will buy on a whim and then regret it. The people selling them should really make it clear what is entailed summer AND winter. Maybe they should take some responsibility if things go pear shaped. Reminds me of pot bellied pigs and terrapins. I have friends that got 6, now down to 3 and no eggs. I think they have regrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 This sort of thing really makes my blood boil. Do people not understand or simply not care about the emotions that animals are able to experience? Is it really so difficult to research the needs and care requirements of an animal before taking it on? My brother and sister in law's neighbour bought a new dog a while back, a gorgeous big white fluffy thing. I don't know what the breed is but I know it cost a lot of money! As so often happens, the novelty of owning a puppy soon wore off, as it got bigger and hungrier and needed more exercise. It wasn't long before they never walked it (because it was difficult to manage, but of course they didn't realise that's largely due to lack of exercise) and it was shut in the garden all day while they were out at work. It has since trashed the garden out of boredom and is now confined to their conservatory where shortly after Christmas it ate two socks (again out of boredom I should think). One sock found its own way out the other had to be surgically removed from its gut. Poor poor dog. Other neighbours have called the RSPCA but clearly there are not enough grounds for removal as the dog is still with them. I am this -----> <----- close to knocking on the door and offering to take their dog because I feel so sorry for it. But what's the likelihood it wouldn't be long before it was replaced with another puppy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 How awful! thats what makes animal get tagged as problematic I was reading on a horse forum last night a post from a girl who had bought a lovely horse, ruined it with bad riding and poor discipline then was asking how she could easily sell her 'problem' horse on.... poor thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Going back to the chickens, when I wanted to increase the amount of chooks we had (by several fold ) hubby and I sat down and agreed that if the care of the chickens laspsed in any way shape or form they would be sold, no excuses and no making him do all the work! and I am 32! Ground rules are essential Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I think that part of the problem is that people see what other people have and want to 'buy' it for themselves. What they don't see when they look at someone elses chickens/dogs/cats - children even, is all of the hard work that goes into looking after them. When they get them and it doesn't live up to expectations they blame it on the animal or say things like 'you are lucky' as if by some chance our animals are clean, well looked after and well behaved (usually ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 It certainly does go for any animal, and is so frustrating to someone who would only take an animal on after working out fully what it entails, and doing the necessary research. This forum was invaluable to me in that sense, and it helped me (as well as many others!) work out if keeping back garden chooks was for me - and I have enjoyed every moment ever since they arrived! But only because I had an idea what to expect, and read up on how to minimise garden trashing, or reduce the smell of poo etc! I know that circumstances can change suddenly and unexpectedly and have no problem with that - but someone who just doesn't think about the longterm welfare of the animal and the impacts into their own lifestyle of keeping said animal are purely selfish in my view. You can see the same concerns in the Bee chat section of this forum, as they become more "popular". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodledootoo Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Agree. When Pets at Home are flogging chickens, you just KNOW that hundreds of them will be slung out on their wattles within months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodledootoo Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 And another thing...... I worry about the number of 'breeders', hatching chickens with an idea to selling them but having no real breeding experience or hatching experience for that matter. I'm not talking about those of us just getting started with hatching and trying to do everything properly. I'm talking about people who buy eggs off ebay, with no idea, no research, no proper facilities, no forward plan for vaccinations, worming yada yada. Just pushing ill and weak birds out onto the market place. Who regulates these people? Same for kittens and puppies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Who regulates these people? Doodle, you're quite right. There needs to be regulation of ALL animals being bred for sale. Yes I know it would be a mammoth task but to be honest there are far more animals being bred in this country than there are people to give them homes (good or bad) so if the more unscrupulous breeders went out of business then surely that could only be a good thing? And (dare I say it) bring back the dog licence? Which perhaps should be a 'pet licence'? Good grief, I should run for government! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I have to say l agree id love to have some little girls hatch out but as you have boys as well id never do it.Id never kill the boys nor would l give them away to be killed but l dont want boys so l leave hatching to the experts.When we get hens they may be rescued or from a breeder local to me.They are vacinated and are healthy he's been breeding chickens from a boy and his dad used to breed them.I hate it when people get pets for children and the moan that the kids never looked after it. Responsibility is adult's job to show the children my daughter loves horses but dose not want one as she can see there alot of work.She is 8 yrs old and has just started to want to help with the chicken's and ducks im encouraging her and she's enjoying helping filling there food grubs sweaping helping clear the poo as its all part of keeping chickens and ducks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I'm talking about people who buy eggs off ebay, with no idea, no research, no proper facilities, no forward plan for vaccinations, worming yada yada. : Most pure bred birds arent vaccinated, its not cruel or neglectful not to vaccinate, most professional 'people who breed pure breeds dont even do it as vaccinations come in huge quantities and are practically and financially out of reach for the home breeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I definately agree with the idea of a license, there are so many people who should never have animals. My neighbour is just such a concern - after I got my chickens one of the local kids decided he wanted some and his mother gave a firm NO since he doesn't look after what he's already got. He then talked one of the other (somewhat irresponsible) neighbours into keeping them in his garden (next door to me) and now I see two hens in a run half the size of mine whom I have never seen free range, and the only contact I've seen either of them have is to walk into the garden and throw a handful of feed though the wire. Before he got the birds I did go round there and threaten to call the authorities if I saw any mistreatment of the hens, and now I fear I may have to do just that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISCA Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) Someone above has hit the nail on the head when they point ot that it is the way society is today. People want something and just go ahead and get whatever they want without any real thought of the consequences, with inevitable results. I love reptiles but appreciate they need specialised care and it was years before I eventually got my own pet snake (a small corn snake). Sadly since then I have ended up taking on 4 more after people decided they could no longer look after them, so now I have 5! I had to stop reading the reptile forums as I was seeing countless posts advertising unwanted reptiles it was making me far too angry! I also get really cheesed off when I see snakes and lizards in general pet shops for sale to anyone who fancies having them, knowing many of these animals will die through poor care as the new owners do not always know how to look after a reptile pet. GRRRRR Also you see lots of people wanting to breed their reptiles when the market is already fully saturated with unwanted reptiles, but people think it would be "fun" to have some baby snakes/ lizards. People do need to think more before commiting themselves but sadly in todays disposable society some people think unwanted pets are also disposable. Right, rant mode off Edited February 19, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I think it is important to remember though that not everyone sees chickens the same way as others, some have huge runs and live a pampered existance with free ranging and plenty of cuddles, others dont Mine are in the 'dont' category... that doesnt mean they are badly kept though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodledootoo Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I'm talking about people who buy eggs off ebay, with no idea, no research, no proper facilities, no forward plan for vaccinations, worming yada yada. : Most pure bred birds arent vaccinated, its not cruel or neglectful not to vaccinate, most professional 'people who breed pure breeds dont even do it as vaccinations come in huge quantities and are practically and financially out of reach for the home breeder SEE!!!! That's why I don't hatch/breed! Clueless.......as are many of these folk who throw a second hand inccy into their back bedrooms and breed for a quick buck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I have been debating with myself as to join in on this one... here goes anyway ... Unfortunately this is a throw away society.... Can we really expect all people out there to treat their pets well when many cant even look after their own children.. If we allow battery hen systems to exist then how can we expect everyone to look after backyard chickens as we would like. I have two schools of thought.. 1] they are JUST chickens.. and as long as they are cleaned out regularly they are not going to miss socialising with humans .. and the odd treat chucked in is a good thing for them. This is still an acceptable way of treating a chicken. They are lucky they arent chucked in the stewpot when people get bored with them. 2] they are bought as pets.. and as such should be given lots of space and general care and maintenance. This is my first year with chooks and it has been an eye opener on the damage to the garden and the lack of supervised FR that has occurred this winter Hence I am investing in a very expensive WIR. ... Its definitely a sensitive topic .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
