Dagnabbit!!!! education before birds is a must

[robin416]

I'm so tired of reading about people who run out buy these cute little chicks but that's all they know. They're cute little chicks. Then they want to learn in one paragraph what it takes to care for them to adulthood and beyond. This Spring seems to be worse than last for chicks being in homes that don't even have the basics to get them off to a good start.

Anyone, everyone learn before you leap. I've kept quiet, haven't been doing a lot of posting but I saw another one today that the chicks do not have the basics in place before their arrival. These are living, feeling creatures who need the same or better care than given to a newborn baby.

I'm tired of reading about people who get chicks and don't have secure housing before they're ready to go outside and think they'll be just fine in an open cage out in the elements.

The one good thing I can say about the media scare and Salmonella is that it just might have saved thousands of chicks from a horrible existance and a long journey to ultimate death.

It will not kill anybody to learn first and then take the step to acquire the birds of your dreams. It could lead to a lifetime of trouble free existance for you both.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Whoa!!! Are you having a bad day? I agree, it sucks when someone buys an animal without the basic knowledge of how to care for them. Posting rude comments doesn't help at all though.

I would like to thank all of the pleasant, friendly, sweet and helpful people that are on this site.

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
IMO, she wasn't being rude. It's the truth. People really need to think things over and educate themselves before they bring ANY animal home. Of course we are more than willing to help newbies. That's what we are all here for- to learn from each other. BUT, I, too, am worried about the well being of these chicks.

 

[arwmommy]

Actually, I have to agree with Robin416. As an animal lover and responsible pet owner, it makes me crazy when anyone aquires an animal (dog, cat, hamster, chicken, horse) without making ANY EFFORT beforehand to ensure that they are educated about the animals needs. Not only must they be educated, but prepared with all of the supplies necessary, and able to incur the costs of those supplies as well as any future costs, ordinary (feed, coop, grit, shavings) and extraordinary (vet costs, medications, isolation areas for sick birds).

It blows my mind that people do this. Since this board is about education, and since it is obvious there are a fair amount of minors on this board, it makes sense that all of us would stress the importance of responsible pet ownership to those wishing to learn about aquiring chickens. It would be a disservice not to let everyone know that while chickens are cute and wonderful, an owner must put forethought and effort into ensuring that they are provided for adequatly.

Certainly, we can do this with tact, but it should be shouted from the rooftops that when you get an animal you are responsible for that animal!!!!! May we all learn from each other to be more wonderful chicken caretakers...


Excuse me if I have spoken out of turn, as I am a total BYC newbie and dont even HAVE my chickens yet...... I just have rescued animals and know how things can go when people get animals and then realize that they cant afford them or dont want to spend the time and effort that is involved in caring for them properly.

 

[robin416]

Actually no I'm not. I'm having a fine day because I learned all that I could before I had my first birds, I had their coop ready for them. I learned about basic first aid before a problem reared its ugly head. I learned about what proper feeds to use and which ones not to. I was ready for my birds with everything they would need when they arrived.

Its all the birds out there in the hands of people who jumped on the chicken as a pet craze before they did their homework that are having a bad day.

Go back, read for yourself how many times people say "I got chicks, now what?" They don't have the proper feed, bedding, housing, nothing. Its been repeated over and over again. Would you go out and buy a puppy without having food and water appropriate for a puppy on hand? Or a bed for it? Or toys? Or dishes?

And you know what? If my rudeness, as you put it, draws some people up and makes them think first then that's a good thing. I've watched as the board members time and again repeat themselves politely asking what people were thinking by not being prepared before hand?

 

[ilroost]

i agree but at least you have to give the people a little credit as they at least took the time to get on line and try to learn. it is the people who get them then just ignore them or treat them as a fading fad that they grow tired of that get to me

 

[Saltiena]

i agree with robin,i haven't even gotten my chicks yet and from about 2 mothes ago i started getting books, i got ALL my supplys a month ago and im on this site so much you'dd think im a pro lol. i think its important for you to reseach a subject as much as posibly before acting upon it, espescialy when there is a life at hand

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

It happens --- impulse buys and bring home the chicks and wow, what do we do now?

I've done it with other birds, and researched *after* I got the them home.

This is the place to come for kind, non-judgmental help

Point is, better to ask for advice than remain ignorant in silence.

Lisa

 

[texascorgi]

I will admit that I went out and bought birds before we were totally ready but I believe that I am providing them an excellent home.

I enjoy this board because it is non-judgemental and the members are very helpful.

I agree that most people buy animals and then don't give a hoot about them. I have 5 rescued dogs that nobody else wanted but I love. I took them in before I was ready for them but I would not have changed it for the world.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I was one of those folks that fell in love with little cheepers...
All I knew about chicken was how to cook it correctly.

But I got some information on line, then I found BYC and a couple of other sites and I've been learning for the past 4 years.
I most certainly agree that doing your homework BEFORE getting ANY pet is the bes thing that you can do.
I mean who of us would bring home an iguana or a ball python without realizing how large they get or what they eat or how warm they need to be...