I keep chicks in my basement and garage too. I don't consider myself to be a hoarder either. I live in town and have a farm just outside of town. I have to keep all the babies in town until they are feathered out at least or sold (whatever comes first). The insurance agent refuses to cover the farm if there is any heat lamps out in the barn. I live in MN and it gets cold here. I raise my silkies all winter and the rest of the stuff spring and summer. Therefore until I hit the Powerball and can afford huge heated Morton buildings, then I'm stuck with my current setup.
I also raise a variety of birds...peafowl, pheasants, quail, turkeys, ducks, geese, and chickens. Of course the ducks and geese are kicked out to the farm a little earlier than the rest because of how messy they are. You might find a lil dust and the carpets might have wood shavings here and there. The chick room is kept immaculate though. Brooder tubs and waterers are cleaned daily. The garage pen is cleaned weekly. If I want to continue to have my birds in town and no complaints from the neighbors, then I have to keep them clean. Same with my pens out at the farm. I raise silkies and standard cochins. If you want to keep those feet feathers in condition, the bedding has to be kept clean.
I also find it very comforting that I do live in town. I get to meet any potential buyers here. If I get the wrong vibes about them, they don't get a tour of the farm. I find that especially true about the people just wanting birds to raise up for butchering. Why do that have to see all the parent stock? Now if I have a fellow silkie breeder that wants to compare bloodlines and see which lines might cross well with theirs is understandable. I also learned my lesson last year. I will never again give a farm tour to anyone that pulls up with a whole minivan full of screaming kids and pets along. My place is not a petting zoo and 1-2 adults cannot effectively control that many kids. Did I mention the rat terrier they let loose to chase all my peafowl and turkeys?
All basement breeders are not necessarily evil! You also have to be a bit understanding. Anyone with waterfowl knows they are notoriously messy. You can put fresh bedding in a brooder tub and 2 minutes later then can have it all splashed full and stinky already again. All it takes is for a newbie to take a look at that and they make judements too. Look at the overall picture... are the birds overcrowded, do they have fresh water and feed available, anything moping around or sneezing, etc.
I also raise a variety of birds...peafowl, pheasants, quail, turkeys, ducks, geese, and chickens. Of course the ducks and geese are kicked out to the farm a little earlier than the rest because of how messy they are. You might find a lil dust and the carpets might have wood shavings here and there. The chick room is kept immaculate though. Brooder tubs and waterers are cleaned daily. The garage pen is cleaned weekly. If I want to continue to have my birds in town and no complaints from the neighbors, then I have to keep them clean. Same with my pens out at the farm. I raise silkies and standard cochins. If you want to keep those feet feathers in condition, the bedding has to be kept clean.
I also find it very comforting that I do live in town. I get to meet any potential buyers here. If I get the wrong vibes about them, they don't get a tour of the farm. I find that especially true about the people just wanting birds to raise up for butchering. Why do that have to see all the parent stock? Now if I have a fellow silkie breeder that wants to compare bloodlines and see which lines might cross well with theirs is understandable. I also learned my lesson last year. I will never again give a farm tour to anyone that pulls up with a whole minivan full of screaming kids and pets along. My place is not a petting zoo and 1-2 adults cannot effectively control that many kids. Did I mention the rat terrier they let loose to chase all my peafowl and turkeys?
All basement breeders are not necessarily evil! You also have to be a bit understanding. Anyone with waterfowl knows they are notoriously messy. You can put fresh bedding in a brooder tub and 2 minutes later then can have it all splashed full and stinky already again. All it takes is for a newbie to take a look at that and they make judements too. Look at the overall picture... are the birds overcrowded, do they have fresh water and feed available, anything moping around or sneezing, etc.