This past Saturday was clear the shelters day in my area. One of the local shelters in the next county over had chickens – around 40 or so chickens. A little background. This particular shelter is in a well-to-do county, fairly newish, beautiful buildings with all the bells and whistles; vet onsite, etc. It’s a large facility.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, stay away! However, several points that sucked me in. First, any birds that are seized and taken to this facility are typically tested for illnesses; second, I was drawn in by one little hen who, judging from her picture on the shelter’s website, she was an Araucana-no tufts, but tailless. Oh, be still my heart! I would love to add this breed to my flock and I have the space to quarantine. I did try calling the shelter first to inquire about the birds but was unsuccessful in getting a live person. So, I made the trip down, waited in line, in the heat for about an hour and a half; then waited inside in another line for another 20 minutes or so; then had to wait until the “chicken” lady (who was finishing up with an adoption) was available to take me back to the barn to see the birds. The chicken lady was taking too long so they sent another shelter worker to take me back.
Found the hen I was interested in (what a beauty she was). I then asked the shelter worker to relay the story behind the chickens. This particular group of chickens was seized back in March 2016 in a criminal case. Case went to court and the birds were awarded to the county. I then asked the worker if she knew if the birds tested positive for any illnesses. She stated that she thought they tested positive for something "respiratory" but wasn’t sure what so she had the shelter vet come in. The shelter vet came in and stated the birds tested positive for Mycoplasma. My heart sank.
I felt so bad for these birds. They’ve been kept 1 or 2 to a dog crate. Some hens were placed in crates with a rooster and had bare backs. I suggested that they remove the hens from the roosters. I then asked if they were let out to free range at all (there was a fenced in area just off the barn). Nope, couldn’t take the chance of them going over the fence; I suggested that they try clipping one wing; nope, can’t take the chance, we have hawks. They’re hoping someone who doesn’t have a flock will come along and adopt them or someone who has a MG+ flock will adopt them. Good grief, if this is what they’re waiting for and how these birds will continue to live, just cull already!
Needless to say, I returned home with no birds; wouldn’t take the chance of infecting my flock. However, here’s what I’m kicking around in my head. I’m actually thinking of building a small hoop run on wheels and donating it to this shelter. That way, at least the birds can be put out a few at a time for an hour or so at a time to dust bathe and get some fresh air and greens. If the shelter had, in the first place, stated on their website that the birds had tested + for Mycoplasma, I would've never made the trip and now, after seeing the birds, I wish I hadn't.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, stay away! However, several points that sucked me in. First, any birds that are seized and taken to this facility are typically tested for illnesses; second, I was drawn in by one little hen who, judging from her picture on the shelter’s website, she was an Araucana-no tufts, but tailless. Oh, be still my heart! I would love to add this breed to my flock and I have the space to quarantine. I did try calling the shelter first to inquire about the birds but was unsuccessful in getting a live person. So, I made the trip down, waited in line, in the heat for about an hour and a half; then waited inside in another line for another 20 minutes or so; then had to wait until the “chicken” lady (who was finishing up with an adoption) was available to take me back to the barn to see the birds. The chicken lady was taking too long so they sent another shelter worker to take me back.
Found the hen I was interested in (what a beauty she was). I then asked the shelter worker to relay the story behind the chickens. This particular group of chickens was seized back in March 2016 in a criminal case. Case went to court and the birds were awarded to the county. I then asked the worker if she knew if the birds tested positive for any illnesses. She stated that she thought they tested positive for something "respiratory" but wasn’t sure what so she had the shelter vet come in. The shelter vet came in and stated the birds tested positive for Mycoplasma. My heart sank.
I felt so bad for these birds. They’ve been kept 1 or 2 to a dog crate. Some hens were placed in crates with a rooster and had bare backs. I suggested that they remove the hens from the roosters. I then asked if they were let out to free range at all (there was a fenced in area just off the barn). Nope, couldn’t take the chance of them going over the fence; I suggested that they try clipping one wing; nope, can’t take the chance, we have hawks. They’re hoping someone who doesn’t have a flock will come along and adopt them or someone who has a MG+ flock will adopt them. Good grief, if this is what they’re waiting for and how these birds will continue to live, just cull already!
Needless to say, I returned home with no birds; wouldn’t take the chance of infecting my flock. However, here’s what I’m kicking around in my head. I’m actually thinking of building a small hoop run on wheels and donating it to this shelter. That way, at least the birds can be put out a few at a time for an hour or so at a time to dust bathe and get some fresh air and greens. If the shelter had, in the first place, stated on their website that the birds had tested + for Mycoplasma, I would've never made the trip and now, after seeing the birds, I wish I hadn't.
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