Chicken Mill!!!

[Domestic_goddess]

Okay please tell me what you think? You've heard of puppy mills and people breed and sale these dogs and usually they aren't cared for properly! Did I see a chicken mill? Looking back I regret buying chicks, I asked for 10 RIR and BR pullets, didn't get any of those and got 5-6 roosters and I think they are all a mixed breed. I saw an ad in the paper and replied, Breeder said just tell me what you breed you want, and sex and she would incubate them and have them ready in 21 or so days. Sounded all well and good, Well when I got there to pick them up...Their Garage was full of chicken pairs in cages and several incubators full. Chickes in plastic bins everywhere. She also had broody hens in cages with baby chicks. Maybe it's just a hoarding situation, but I felt so bad for those chickens in cages, what I sad life. Everything seemed very well organized and clean too! I think I was in such shock, she just handed me a box with my chicks and I left.

 

[silkiechicken]

Well... chicken's don't really have dog status...and are livestock to most people. If you raised dogs like every hatchery raises their birds, they'd all be called chicken mills. Sounds like what you found was just a backyard breeder... like many chicken owners are, but you said it was clean and organized, so that is good.

Some birds, like show birds live in cages their whole lives to keep them looking good. Pairs in cages or pens to get the breeding set you want... does not sound off if they are trying to pick traits they like in birds...

From what you describe, does not sound weird for chickens...

 

[donrae]

If it's clean, well organized and she's selling birds, by defination it's not a hoarder. Actually, that sounds like it could be one of several members here

 

[mandelyn]

Thankfully it was clean and orderly! Chickens are livestock that we turn into pets, so keeping them like that is quite common. It's about the only way to keep your prized pair safe from predators, or to know who fertilized what egg, or to otherwise safely breed them to know what you're getting. My hens were caged for 3 weeks while we finished the coop, though they did have access to a dog run when I could watch them.

You likely wouldn't keep your chickens like that, I don't either, they have a giant house by chicken standards. But when you go around shopping, you'll encounter all sorts of methods in keeping them. The more important is clean and airy. Check the water bowls, are they clean and filled? Growing green algae on the sides and only half full? Conditions out weigh the methods unless they are clearly crowded, that's wrong too.

I have a problem with filthy conditions, bad air, and over crowding. Chickens are messy, it takes good management to keep them clean, and when caged, to keep the poo from building up. It's not like rabbit poo that falls through wire, it can stick, and build up without routine care.

 

[noitulover]

I also think that kind of situation is very wrong. I know lots of chicken people do this, but I guess I'm just different. I live on a farm and chickens are usually classified as "livestock" around here, but at the same time, people don't keep their horses or cows in such cramped conditions (at least not reputable farmers).

I think too many people try to make money off of their chicken hobby, when they don't have the land or resources...

Not trying to ruffle any feathers here, but that's just my 2 cents.

 

[honeydoll]

That doesn't sound like a chicken mill to me. It sounds like a difference in how one practices chicken raising. My first incling would be to feel bad for the chickens too, but I wouldn't judge too harshly, if they were clean, organized, I guess I would have to walk away just understanding I see things differently. I believe all animals should be allowed to enjoy the outdoors, even cats. So my cats are never kept strictly indoors. Many see it differently, and that is fine. As long as animals are well cared for , sometimes we just have to accept differences, no matter how much it bugs us.

Carolyn

 

[sourland]

Why is it that I can't picture anything wrong with the situation that you describe? Maybe my farm background and animal husbandry career have warped my sensitivies?