Covid-panic-induced chicken keeping?

[DuckGirl77]

There are definitely more people into chickens - I was going to get more chicks this year myself (because my numbers are down, not because of corona) but boy was it hard to find some - at least compared to last time I got chicks. I picked the wrong year to expand my flock
I've already heard of (and been offered) chicks that people found "weren't right for them" too. But I think some good will come from it with the people who take the time to learn.

 

[LizzzyJo]

I've already heard of (and been offered) chicks that people found "weren't right for them" too.

Lol ‘weren’t right for them’. What did they mean by that?

 

[LizzzyJo]

I just moved and I think the reason why we got chickens was because of this, but I have also cared for chickens for many years and we have two acres for them to roam. We have a huge mixed flock but we did get most of them when our state closed down schools. We now have ducks and turkeys that live with the chickens in a big flock. And our flock is doubling in ducks this month

That sounds exciting! I’ve always thought of getting turkeys for thanksgiving, but I think I’d get too attached. Do you have pics?

 

[Mamatomany123]

We already have tons of people trying to sell off their chickens. I am beginning to wonder if people bought a ton as cheap chicks and are now trying to make a profit off of raised pullets. And I dont necessarily think that's wrong of them, I think it's just going to end up with a lot of homeless chickens once everything starts getting back to normal.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Now's no different then it's been in recent years as the backyard chicken movement began to explode except it's more concentrated now.
There's been unprepared unknowledgeable people buying chicks since the urban boom started.
They'll figure it out or they'll sell out.

 

[Chickin Out]

Yeah, I am concerned this is going to be a disaster in a few months when there are going to be a ton of chickens abandoned.

 

[centrarchid]

Whatever we go back to as a normal, is likely not going to be what we had ending a couple months ago.

 

[centrarchid]

There has effectively been a disposable chicken issue for many years, and it is not restricted to urban populations. I have been observing here, in the country side, for years. People get into chickens for a couple months to a few years, then get out of chickens. I bet the new reality has a net increase in the number of small scale chicken keepers. Hopefully same can be said for number of gardeners.

 

[LizzzyJo]

There has effectively been a disposable chicken issue for many years, and it is not restricted to urban populations. I have been observing here, in the country side, for years. People get into chickens for a couple months to a few years, then get out of chickens. I bet the new reality has a net increase in the number of small scale chicken keepers. Hopefully same can be said for number of gardeners.

I’ve thought for years that TSC and the like should have even the tiniest of screening processes for buying chicks like you would have at a dog shelter. Just simplistically - what are your plans for food, shelter, predator protection, summer vacation? Etc. Not meant to restrict purchase per say, but to remind people that chicks are tiny cute babies that grow up to be a big responsibility.

 

[DuckGirl77]

Lol ‘weren’t right for them’. What did they mean by that?

Not sure actually, I haven't followed up on it yet.
I'm thinking maybe the stench of older chicks living in their house got to them Or they're all little cockerels. We'll see.