Arizona Chickens

[LadyKotaDoria]

I think a hen is worth $20.00 - $50.00+ each depending. 12 hens = a min. Of $240.00 to what ever more. They were "rescued" by person unknown with the add of the landlord, that is THEFT. Call the police, report a theft of personal property. I am not sure, but! Arizona still has laws, not yet removed, covering livestock stolen. Check into it, you may be surprised. The laws in this state, around live stock as a ranching/range state.


I would call the police. Use the system.

I am not trying to defend the landlords actions, but.....

It may not be 'theft' if the following are true:

1.) The chickens were illegal in that city.  (if a tenant is in violation of the law, the landlord has certain additional rights and responsibilities to correct the violation)

2.) The landlord must notify the tenant 24 hours in advance of entering the property...if he did not enter until 2 days later, he could have posted a note on the front door of his intentions to enter the property the day (or 2) before, therefore he was within his legal rights to enter the property on that day.

3.) If the there is an emergency (such as animal safety), the 24 hour rule is null.  So if a neighbor contacted the landlord to say the tenants left on vacation and their animals were not being attended to, and the landlord found them to be out of food, water, or in this heat without adequate shade, then again he was within his rights to allow the animals to be rescued.


I have no idea if any of these apply, just wanted to be fair to both sides by mentioning them.  Landlords (yes I am one) tend to get a bad rap in many situations when the tenant is at fault, like for example when a tenant spends all their money on partying instead of paying rent, then after eviction they feel justified in tearing up the place and leaving it a pig sty.  

So, with this said, IF your chickens were legally there; had plenty of food, water, shelter, and shade; a neighbor was taking good care of them in your absence; and having chickens was not a violation of your lease, then the landlord was in the wrong.   I hope the chickens are safe & sound back at home now, I sure would like to hear a happy ending to this tragic story.

That is exactly why I believe in gathering all the FACTS Possable. One you have the facts you are well armed. It is time and energy consuming to check and gather data, but it is worth it. You said you had arrangements to have your girls taken care of. Check it out, were they? If you were paying this person, this is a big point. They are then responsible, in part. You said your landlord may have been contacted by a neighbor, this is important. 1 more piece. Once you have all the facts/data, look it over, then decide the next action. Chick the laws, were you in compliance? Be mindful that your little flock has value. Average market value for a hen is $20.00 min., more with other factors taken in. EX: Difference between a mutt and a dog from champion blood lines. If you got your hens from a breeder they are worth more the $240.00.

Win the landlord to your side, you are a victim of misplaced trust. Earlier you were consumed with emotion, grief, and shock. You have been doing your home work and you understand his point and appreciate that he was only thinking of saving your hens from suffering. You, yourself, would have been inconsolable if you found then dead of neglect rather then rescued. Depending on your landlords temperament, it can't hurt. Make assurances that reliable custodian will be hired in the future. You will have someone, a neighbor maybe, that will have your number so if they are not being cared for you will know. The your landlord that the next time you leave as you did, you will notify him, so if he gets a call he can let you know.

How you approach things is important. When I had my accident, I got all my facts, waited several days until I was calm and in control. I went to AAA, told my story, presented my facts, and talked to the AAA representative as if she was only their to help me resolve a problem that caused my accident so they are better able to take care of their customers. I succeeded, she is the one asking on my behalf, for the deductible on my car repair. At the same time, when speaking with the regional manager, I let him know that I was not out to ask for more then what is right, as failure in AAA contract with members. I did not say, but tried to let him know that I was a ware of lawsuits won similar to mine.

I had to learn all of this the hard way over the years, with advice coming in retrospect.

 

[City farm]

Our egg yolk seems to be more yellow than orange?? Do you think it is because they have been laying since Christmas eve??

 

[MaddBaggins]

It sure looks like a pepper. Do any of your neighbors have the native chiltepine pepper growing in their yard? I started with one plant and now it is all over the yard. I don't eat the tiny peppers because they are too hot for me but the wild birds love them and I find it sprouting anywhere it gets a little extra water, and yes they are a native pepper and very drought tolerant. They will look awful and stressed if not enough water, but come right back. I have one that is at least 8' high, it is growing under an Arborvitae tree and using the branches of the tree for support and the top is way over my head, it is pretty cool. So maybe that is what it is.

I have a pequin plant (similar to the chiltepine) thats been going strong for 7 years. I use the peppers from time to time, but it always produces way more than I can eat. I gave some to the chickens, they were not amused.

 

[kacklinkelly]

On Friday June 21, 2013, 12 hens were "rescued" from my backyard against my authority. 5124 E. Avalon Dr Phoenix AZ. I would really like my chickens back. We were on vacation and a neighbor was caring for the hens. Two days later they were gone. My landlord came by and saw we weren't home. She called a rescue to pick them up and won't tell me who she contacted. Has anyone picked up chickens in Arcadia area? Please contact me if you know of any chicken rescues in the area.

So sorry to hear about your situation. In objectively reading your post, it seems that the answer might be found with the chicken sitter.
How did you learn the information you have to this point?

Just a side note, our son had agreed to pay a neighbor to take care of his dogs while he was gone. When he returned in 3 days, he did so to a mess in
the house, no water or food for his dogs. Clearly the neighbor was not responsible or forgot the arrangement.Thankfully the dogs were OK.
I am always worried I might forget when I promise to do something outside my normal routine when it involves going to my neighbors home.
I write it down and post it by the door I walk in an out of most often and leave their key visible.

Years ago I had a dog, that I was sitting at my home for someone, run away. I was devastated! I was watching two beautiful goldens. A puppy and it's father.
I had 3 days to locate the father b4 the owners returned. (this was long before there was a smart phone or computer in every home) I finally found the dog at the pound down by
south mountain. We lived near I17 and Tbird at the time. When I called, They told me they didn't have any dog by that description. Something told me to go down one more time.
He had just been brought in, tick dipped and put in a kennel. I didn't care, I hugged that dog sooo hard and drove home with him shaking that wet stuff off himself
and me being wet from it. I prayed alot in that situation and almost gave up but responded to my last prompting.
That was a very lucky ending and I'm hoping yours is too.

 

[Arizona Son]

I have a pequin plant (similar to the chiltepine) thats been going strong for 7 years. I use the peppers from time to time, but it always produces way more than I can eat. I gave some to the chickens, they were not amused.

well maybe if you'd have let em wash it down with of that thar homebrew....

 

[maryhysong]

Our egg yolk seems to be more yellow than orange?? Do you think it is because they have been laying since Christmas eve??

Yolk color can be directly influenced by diet; the more greens they get the darker the yolk.

 

[GreatWhiteAfro]

Yolk color can be directly influenced by diet; the more greens they get the darker the yolk.

This is why I started growing fodder, I don't have any grass in my yard yet so its an easy cheap alternative. Can anyone give me some insight as to why my girls don't seem to be consuming the oyster shell I provide them. Should I mix it with their crumble? I offer it to them separately.

 

[AZKat]

They will eat as much oyster shell as they think that they need, as long as your egg shell quality is good I wouldn't worry about it.


Everyone seems to agree that my Splash Ameraucana is a cockerel, which means he needs to go. I can't remember who's eggs Mahonri hatched him out of, but I think he comes from good lines. If anyone on BYC wants him to make Blue Ameraucanas or some cool looking EE's or OEs let me know, and you can have him for free.

 

[City farm]

Our egg yolk seems to be more yellow than orange?? Do you think it is because they have been laying since Christmas eve??

Or, how do you get the yolk to be darker?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

On Friday June 21, 2013, 12 hens were "rescued" from my backyard against my authority. 5124 E. Avalon Dr Phoenix AZ. I would really like my chickens back. We were on vacation and a neighbor was caring for the hens. Two days later they were gone. My landlord came by and saw we weren't home. She called a rescue to pick them up and won't tell me who she contacted. Has anyone picked up chickens in Arcadia area? Please contact me if you know of any chicken rescues in the area.

If you not past due your rent, your landlord had no legal right to trespass. Now if she had reason to think your birds were abandoned, she was right to call in the authorities, but if they had food and water as well as shelter from the weather, they were being cared for, and that negates. them as being abandoned.

First thing I would do is call the police and tell them what happened. Second thing is I would call the Maricopa County pound and inquire there. They may be able to tell you other places to check.

Now you may be opening up a whole can of worms if 1) you are not legal for chickens or 2) if your lease disallows pets/animals and does not specifically allow your birds. Nevertheless, you landlord did not have the right to enter the property without notice.