Chortle Chook Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Recently I bought two little POL Polands: one Chamois and one really stunning Gold Laced. The person I bought them from charged me top rate, but then I'd bought from her last year when all had been just so nice there. Things seem to have changed I had a tip off that the person in question had not bred these particular chooks but had got them from an auction. Silly me, that was the only explanation as to why when I asked if she had any POL Polands, she said "I'll know in a few weeks" Anyway, when I got to the 'breeder's' (a little over 1 hrs drive away) I did spot that the heads of both little chickens looked a bit strange and that the eye of one in particular was not good. However I was smitten by their pretty feathers and paid up. Since then I've been making a steady trail to and from a really nice vet's in Goring. Both chickens (and in fact now my whole flock) have had spot on for lice and for northern fowl mite. The Chammy has picked up, but the eye on the little Gold Laced just got worse and worse despite twice daily ointment and antibiotics. A sort of cottage cheese stuff had to be got out with a cotton bud every single night. Sadly today little Dora was so poorly (hunched up and head down by her toes) that I finally decided enough was enough and had her PTS. I feel utterly defeated and too gutted to be cross Silly, silly me and poort little chicken. What terrible conditions must she have come from into that auction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 That's really sad And very infuriating for you Well done you for trying to help the unfortunate chooks Hopefully anyone thinking of buying within an hour's drive of you will be asking you who you bought from - shame we can't have a 'people to avoid' list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Hopefully anyone thinking of buying within an hour's drive of you will be asking you who you bought from - shame we can't have a 'people to avoid' list Luckily, with the interweb being the great reviewing site that it is, word soon gets around. Sorry to hear that Catherine; it' easily enough done if you don't know what you're looking for; I heard a similar story on Sunday, where a couple had bought hens because they felt sorry for them - now their whole flock has got Infectious Bronchitis and faces being culled. Folks, please feel confident about walking away from any supplier where you're not happy with the conditions the birds are kept in, or something doesn't seem right. NEVER buy birds because you feel sorry for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Oh know Catherine im sorry you have lost her Leanne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Me too, thats awful. My pekin from the same place has to go back as its a boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I'm so sorry to read about your little poland. And it seems sad that the breeder didn't appear to be that honest or helpful towards you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 That sounds just terrible, poor wee chicken! I am so sorry you had to go through that. It's awful that people will breed sorely for the £££, and not take any care of them... ...not to mention the personal loss as you start to care about them as your pets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 That's a real shame Someone on Facebook has been going through a similar thing this week but sadly hasn't been as careful or caring as you. I have no problem with people selling on auction birds but they really need to isolate the birds and keep them long enough to ensure they are healthy. They may have not come from a bad home but diseases are easily picked up at auctions or brought to the fore by stress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Oh Shabby chic, I am so sorry to hear your cautionary tale. Although such events are emotionally exhausting try to focus on what a fab poultry keeper you are and what happy hens you have. The wee one isn't suffering any more. Take care. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share Posted November 1, 2013 You have all been so kind. I do still feel really sad and keep seeing the little bird in my minds eye sitting on the vet's table while we discussed her on her third visit, her little head sunk down by her toes. I'm also now so worried about the rest of my chickens. They will all have a second lot of spot on in two weeks but I'd like to give them (and me too, frankly) a wash with some medicated shampoo. Does anyone who has children know how I go about getting this and if it could be used on the chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Just use dog flea shampoo that contains permethrin, but if you've used a spot-on and a permethrin-based spray then it shouldn't be necessary to wash them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
