CO laws on poultry care? Animal neglect in a public park, CO.

[MissChick@dee]

Fooled me? With YouTube?

 

[HensSweetHens]

Everything looks to be in order.
But that doesn’t mean the original poster’s concerns were false or unfounded. I have first hand knowledge of animals kept in seemingly humane conditions to someone stopping by for 30 minutes when in reality the animals are only fed once a day.

I was surprised to see that the Museum is following this thread! But I am glad they are! It's good for anyone to use BYC as it's an awesome resource both for a sound advice on poultry practices and to see public opinion about the topic that's being discussed.

Yes, the Golden coop is not a bad place for chickens to live, and I've mentioned earlier that I think it's a beautiful park, museum and location for the coop. My testimony came out of a heart-break to see lack of care for birds who really struggled and needed help - and none was given. That is why I wrote my original post - to ask people's advice.

The coop looks very nice and tidy right now and like my friend had said they did a great job before the veterinarian came last week (to take the grey hen to be euthanized). Whatever the reason might have been - I am grateful for this good change. As mentioned earlier in my posts, the remaining hens are not in a miserable condition as of right now. But those serious health issues that were going on in other birds for months (birds that aren't there right now) - that still IS the truth. It happened. And I wish I had documented it. That hen who I helped heal from sour crop (also went on for months) had two bumble foot scabs as well, and the museum caretakers are still saying "no, none of the chickens have bumble foot". In any case, I don't regret sticking around long enough and was able to help her.

The reason I started to check on the chickens and committed to bringing them vegetables is BECAUSE of the suffering I saw, and I think many with compassion would've tried to help from that moment on. I still don't see any harm in bringing vegetables to help chickens stay healthier, since they don't have access to vegetation (although I do see the point of eradicating rats/mice by having produce and scratch off the ground, where rodents can reach it, perhaps making elevated stations somehow).

Anyone can cherry pick pictures and images to prove their point. Yes, even me. I could have. But I posted all I've got without hiding. I'll keep documenting, and that's not to harass anyone. It is so I can help those in doubt see that I am not telling a lie. But I am not obsessing and "constantly hanging around" that coop (as someone might think), like I have nothing else to do in my life. I'll always try and do my best whenever I see an animal struggling badly. And lastly - there are more witnesses, besides me to testify to the truth I've described. They may wish to stay behind the scene for right now, but it always can change. Truth will someday come out - if negligence continues in the Golden chicken program. It always does, as long as there are caring people around. But if good changes start taking place - I'll only rejoice and be grateful.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I was surprised to see that the Museum is following this thread! But I am glad they are! It's good for anyone to use BYC as it's an awesome resource both for a sound advice on poultry practices and to see public opinion about the topic that's being discussed.

Yes, the Golden coop is not a bad place for chickens to live, and I've mentioned earlier that I think it's a beautiful park, museum and location for the coop. My testimony came out of a heart-break to see lack of care for birds who really struggled and needed help - and none was given. That is why I wrote my original post - to ask people's advice.

The coop looks very nice and tidy right now and like my friend had said they did a great job before the veterinarian came last week (to take the grey hen to be euthanized). Whatever the reason might have been - I am grateful for this good change. As mentioned earlier in my posts, the remaining hens are not in a miserable condition as of right now. But those serious health issues that were going on in other birds for months (birds that aren't there right now) - that still IS the truth. It happened. And I wish I had documented it. That hen who was healed from sour crop (also went on for months) had two bumble foot scabs as well, and the museum caretakers are still saying "no, none of the chickens have bumble foot". In any case, I don't regret sticking around long enough and was able to help her.

The reason I started to check on the chickens and committed to bringing them vegetables is BECAUSE of the suffering I saw, and I think many with compassion would've tried to help from that moment on. I still don't see any harm in bringing vegetables to help chickens stay healthier, since they don't have access to vegetation (although I do see the point of eradicating rats/mice by having produce and scratch off the ground, where rodents can reach it, perhaps elevated stations somehow).

Anyone can cherry pick pictures and images to prove their point. Yes, even me. I could have. But I posted all I've got without hiding. I'll keep documenting, and that's not to harass anyone. It is so I can help those in doubt see that I am not telling a lie. But I am not obsessing and "constantly hanging around" that coop (as someone might think), like I have nothing else to do in my life. I'll always try and do my best whenever I see an animal struggling badly. And lastly - there are more witnesses, besides me to testify to the truth I've described. They may wish to stay behind the scene for right now, but it always can change. Truth will someday come out - if negligence continues in the Golden chicken program. It always does, as long as there are caring people around. But if good changes start taking place - I'll only rejoice and be grateful.

You shouldn’t be surprised that they responded because someone from this thread took it upon themselves to contact them. In most likelyhood they will trespass you from the property. Nothing will change. The lesson I would walk away with is if you find yourself in a similar situation again. Don’t take to a public forum on the internet. Start with organizations dedicated to the welfare of animals they are connected in a web that has from volunteers to lawyers. I’m sorry you didn’t get the help you were looking for. On the internet you never know what kind of person you’re dealing with. Try to deal with real people face to face. Best wishes in your endeavors.

 

[IamRainey]

But if good changes start taking place - I'll only rejoice and be grateful.

Good for you! And good for the chickens! Precisely the way to approach this!

And I hope the museum staff are able to install appropriate perimeter fencing and wipe out that rodent problem.

 

[2 many chickens]

Dear BackyardChickens.com Community Members,

One of your participants brought this thread to my attention. I am so glad there is a community like this for people to share ideas and suggestions on how to improve their chicken keeping practices. I appreciate the interest and concern for the welfare of our much-loved birds at the Golden History Park. I thought it might be helpful if I gave some background about our chicken husbandry program and offer a different view of the situation.

Golden History Park is a three-acre park located in downtown Golden, Colorado. The park recreates a 19th century mountain homestead and features historic structures from a nearby ranch. The chicken coop and barn are more than a century old and its flock of heirloom hens are beloved local celebrities. The chicken husbandry program began when the park opened in 1999. The program aims to teach visitors about the importance of farm animals to the livelihoods of Colorado’s pioneers. The program has run continuously for twenty years through the love and dedication of more than a dozen volunteers who open and close the coop daily, feed and water the birds, and tend to the flock’s well being.

In addition to daily monitoring by our trained volunteers, the chickens’ health is regularly evaluated by a local avian veterinarian. The birds were most recently examined by the vet on December 20, 2018. The vet’s evaluation showed that our birds are very calm, healthy, and in a great living situation. As a part of their examination, the vet handled the chickens to evaluate their crop, keel, and feet. She found the chickens well fed and that their feet showed no signs of bumble foot or other infection. Per our partnership, the vet will reevaluate the flock again in late spring/early summer and continue on a bi-annual basis as normal.

It is frustratingly true that we are combating a pretty significant rodent infestation this winter. Like all of you, we contend with vermin on a daily basis. However, being in a public park setting and along the waterway, our challenges are amplified. We also believe that the rat issue is being exacerbated by the extra food that is thrown into the chicken yard. Staff and volunteers have implemented an aggressive eradication plan and are seeing success, but the challenge requires continuous monitoring.

The coop and its feathered residents are a huge attraction to thousands of families who visit each year. It’s a big undertaking to maintain the program and to train and retain volunteers that help manage it. For the well being of the flock and the sustainability of the program, it’s important that we have clear and strict management policies and procedures—all of which are shared with the volunteers prior to their tenure at our organization. Our policies and procedures are regularly evaluated and continue to follow veterinary recommended chicken husbandry. Those who express unwillingness to comply with and uphold the museum’s policies are ineligible to participate as a volunteer with our program.

I hope you will visit GoldenHistory.org for more information and stop by for a visit when you are in Golden. Attached are a few photos of our coop that I took this morning.

Sincerely,
Nathan Richie
Director

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Look at all those clean non pooped on shavings!
I don't know nothing about any of this but I can tell you cleaned house for dem pictures.

 

[ShannonR]

You shouldn’t be surprised that they responded because someone from this thread took it upon themselves to contact them. In most likelyhood they will trespass you from the property. Nothing will change. The lesson I would walk away with is if you find yourself in a similar situation again. Don’t take to a public forum on the internet. Start with organizations dedicated to the welfare of animals they are connected in a web that has from volunteers to lawyers. I’m sorry you didn’t get the help you were looking for. On the internet you never know what kind of person you’re dealing with. Try to deal with real people face to face. Best wishes in your endeavors.

Being trespassed from the property is absolutely warranted in this case, I would say. The poster has stated they will "continue to document" what ever they personally feel isn't being done exactly right.

Someone needs to be at home attending to their own chickens more and leaving these fine, well kept birds alone.

 

[2 many chickens]

Being trespassed from the property is absolutely warranted in this case, I would say. The poster has stated they will "continue to document" what ever they personally feel isn't being done exactly right.

Someone needs to be at home attending to their own chickens more and leaving these fine, well kept birds alone.

just because the pictures look nice doesn't mean OP was lying or being a crazy stalking chicken weirdo.. we don't know for sure.
But yes, OP move on and forget it. Tend to your own flock.

 

[centrarchid]

You shouldn’t be surprised that they responded because someone from this thread took it upon themselves to contact them. In most likelyhood they will trespass you from the property. Nothing will change. The lesson I would walk away with is if you find yourself in a similar situation again. Don’t take to a public forum on the internet. Start with organizations dedicated to the welfare of animals they are connected in a web that has from volunteers to lawyers. I’m sorry you didn’t get the help you were looking for. On the internet you never know what kind of person you’re dealing with. Try to deal with real people face to face. Best wishes in your endeavors.

This post very clearly demonstrates your role. The OP did do good to alert public of potential issues. I saw to it the party in question was aware of the concern that until yesterday evening was likely not being effectively conveyed. The public in this case appears to be those seeing and responding to this thread. The museum engaged and clarified their purpose giving clear indication they are aware of problems and are investing effort to fix them.

@MissChick@dee your role was to inflame. The chickens in this instance did not benefit from your actions or statements.

 

[centrarchid]

@HensSweetHens,

I suggest you focus on future issues rather than dwell on past. Your intent to promote well being of the birds is being realized. If you see problems in the future, then bring them up so they can be corrected.

In another thread, let us see your birds emphasizing how they are cared for and how they brighten your day.

 

[Kris5902]

@MissChick@dee & @centrarchid you're both quite right to some effect here. A public forum like this is not the best place to start a very specific complaint to advocate for animal welfare. Asking generalized questions about how to proceed to help the chickens, yes it’s a good sounding board, but to specifically call out a company or organization on it is not the most appropriate way to handle the situation.

The chickens are lucky in that centrachid contacted the museum directly and made them aware that the “issues” (however severe they were/are/aren’t not withstanding) are being openly discussed in a manner that could be damaging to them as an organization, giving them the opportunity to address it directly, and making them aware that they were becoming the object of public scrutiny.

If it improves the conditions for the animals then all is well that ends well! Not everyone is able to deal with the bureaucracy of an organization effectively, but the end result is positive. Even if changes were made hastily to save face, (which I’m not saying they necessarily were) they’ve been made. If the situation was not as bad as initially it was seen, all the better for the chickens really.

But yes, I would agree to more effectively address a situation like this in the future that a little more discretion at the onset from the OP would be advised.