Kdogg it's not mean at all. It's the truth. She sounds well intentioned for sure but priorities seem very screwy.
Yeah exactly!
Millions of people around the world don't use chicken feed. I'm not saying it's the best choice but it's not as horrible as your making it out to be. After all people have been keeping birds for a lot longer than they've been making commercial feed.
I think the conditions she's keeping them in is worse then the food thing. Wet and damp, without being able to keep their feet dry is probably bad enough, without adding mold and lice.
Oh yeah, I know you don't necessarily have to feed a commercial feed, plenty of people make their own, but I just mean her reasons for it seem really screwy. And like you said, the care is seriously lacking. It's one thing to mix your own feed but she knew she couldn't afford them yet got them anyway AND does not take care of them properly at all. Which is my major issue with the whole thing. Plus I doubt she has looked up chicken nutrition requirements to make sure they are getting adequate nutrition. Especially since she said they get suet blocks and I think bird seed daily. They should not be getting that many treats. Unless their daily ration is mixed in? Done properly, mixing your own feed can be fine and can be cost effective but I doubt she's doing it properly which is my issue.