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[midori]

I had one of the worst days of my life yesterday.

 

We went to visit a chap who had some hens/pullets we were interested in and chose a beautiful 25 week old splash pullet and a wonderful 17 week old buff pullet. The buff especially was extremely friendly. I was a little uncomfortable with a few things I saw at the breeders, but generally the birds were all healthy and well kept in large but bare pens but were allowed some free ranging.

 

When we were ready to leave the breeder put both hens in a paper sack With air holes for travelling home. I didn't think too much of it as our other breeder suggested paper bags to travel hens, but had put each hen in it's own bag. I did think the hens should at least be seperate but being a newbie wasn't sure and didn't want to be rude and assumed he knew what he was doing. We had a two hour journey home, which the breeder knew and decided to keep the air conditioning off but to have the windows open for air flow. The car felt cool to me.

 

When we got home my husband and I found both poor hens dead in the bag and the poor splash had laid an egg on the journey. I felt physically sick at what those poor birds must have suffered and was also admitted to hospital last night and am now paranoid my existing hens at home will somehow get too hot and die, which I know is silly.

 

I am not sure what to do really. Should I tell the breeder? I doubt he'll really care tbh, a fox had got one of his hens and he didn't seem very concerned. I feel so guilty and wish I had queried both hens being in one bag. It had really put me off getting more hens because of the travelling and I feel so guilty.

[Egluntyne]

How dreadful for you. I'd let the breeder know, and suggest a refund but apart from that, give him a wide berth. I've never heard of anyone being given hens in a sack before. He could have found a box, I would have thought?

[squidsin]

That's horrific, but tbh, I doubt the breeder will accept any kind of liability as - illness apart - the hens were your responsibility to look after once they left his premises. Hope you feel better soon - the hospital trip isn't connected to this experience I hope?!

[sparkysmum]

Poor, poor you. What a terrible thing to happen. I can't even begin to feel how you must be feeling. I would def. let him know and maybe a few others besides (RSPCA?) as he must have felt this was an OK method of transporting poultry & by implication will carry on with this practice untill he is stopped So sorry it happened to you. Axx

[chicken bark]

How terrible. It is such as lovely experience getting hens back to their new home and you had that to deal with.

I would tell the breeder but don't expect anything from him.

 

I've not read about hens being put in sacks.

 

Wishing you all the best with getting your next chickens and being in hospital.

 

Please don't let this freak incident put you off. Next time you will be more prepared.

[Redwing]

What a dreadful experience for you, I am sorry

 

I've never herad of sack being used to transport chickens either

 

A good roomy box is best, two chickens can travel together and its better if they can - I use 'crisp' boxes begged from local garages to transport hens

 

They should have been fine on a two hour journey in the conditions you have described, the problems came from the guy putting them in the sack its not your fault so dont beat yourself up about it x

[Lewis]

It does sound like something odd is up. I've never heard of transporting them in paper sacks either, but 2 in one bag

I'd speak to the breeder, let him know whats happened see what he says and then maybe speak to the RSPCA ...

 

One to avoid in the future and maybe let people know where it was so they can make up their own mind about wether to go there or not, as the case may be.

[Isabel]

Midori ... what a horrible experience but definitely not your fault. Would also advise letting breeder know what happened ... he's the expert, not you and he ought to have thought about it a little more, esp knowing you had a 2hr trip home. Hope you're feeling better.

 

Isabel

[poachedegg]

Really sorry about your awful experience. Perhaps when you feel up to getting some more, you could ask fellow Omleteers for recommendations in your area - then you know they would be reputable.

 

Hope you're feeling better soon.

x

Edited June 1, 2010 by Guest

[WitchHazel]

What a horrible experience for you!

 

As others have said a large box is best, and both birds can go in together. Make airholes around th etop.

 

I also put a lettuce (especially half an iceberg lettuce) in the box as well. It gives the birds something to do and also provides the with a source of water on a longish journey.

[Alis girls]

Awful story - he should have told you to bring a cardboard box or cat carrier. My 3 arrived from Omlet in cat carrier. They can see out of them - not sure if that is good or not - but a paper bag - you would die of fright as well as lack of oxygen. he needs telling. Hope you feel better.

[Tutti Frutti]

Oh no, I am so shocked! That's just horrible for you and for your little girls too If I were you, I wouldn't be able to go back there or talk to that man again but he needs to be told (before someone else goes through this as well) - through the RSPCA if it comes to it

[OllieNLucys Mum]

Oh no how awful and upsetting for you.

 

Thats the thing isn't it when you are buying from someone you think is experienced you assume they know best. A few years ago I had to pick up some lambs for a school fete and the farmer put each of them into a sack which I was amazed at! It was a hessian sack and only a 15 minute journey but I was still worried sick they would suffocate.

 

 

FWIW I would phone the guy back or he could make the same mistake again

[Daphne]

OMG - thats terrible (and completely not your fault). I can't find a furious smilie so this will have to do

 

Like everybody else I have never heard of transporting birds in bags. A cardboard box is the thing with airholes (if you cut 2 rectangles on opposite sides you have magic carrying handles as well) -its nice and dark so they relax, and don't reuse it afterwards, just recycle. I have nothing else to add other than letting the breeder know (and in no uncertain terms) how irresponsible his advice is.

 

I do hope you are OK. Once you are feeling better than I would reward yourself with a couple of new girls; there is a list of breeders on here somewhere if you need help.

[midori]

Thankyou all, I was a bit scared to post as I do somehow feel it was my fault, in part at least, but I wasn't sure what to do and thought maybe my experience might help someone else if they were told to do the same thing by a breeder. I am in Northern Ireland and the hens were bought from Dublin, so I am not sure there is much legally I can do about it. Things with animals are a little different over here compared to England. (where I am from)

 

I don't think the thought of those poor birds will ever leave me. My husband has phoned the breeder, but he hasn't got back to us, despite my husband not detailing what we were ringing about, suprise, suprise... Also, although completely beside the point, we paid more than a fair price for the hens. It has really put me off and I can't bring myself to get any new girls in the near future I don't think, I am just going to concentrate on my own girls now and we are looking into building a WIR so the girls have a bit more space and security at the rare times we can't let them free range. It will also mean I can leave the house door open at night so they can come out when they want in the morning. (provided they don't make too much noise and disturb the neighbours!) If I do get any new hens in the future I'll take boxes with me and insist on using them, and the lettuce in the box for moisture is a great idea, thankyou.

 

I am out of hospital now (not related to the hen incident, btw) and have just cleaned out the hen house and am sat in the kitchen watching the hens in the garden. It is a rare sunny day in Northern Ireland and two of the girls are having a little sunbathe.

[foreveryoung]

OMG a sack, I have heard about it tho, I think you will just have to put it down to personal experance..... I use a simular one to this and just as big, you can fit 2 small hens in it (its a little on the cosy side but suitable) also it folds down flat and just whipe clean (I plan to get another)

 

Hope this helps