Does anyone know where I can find a sign that reads "Do Not Feed The Animals"? I had a relative that came over this weekend but I was not at home. Well, he decided to hang around to watch the animals (chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, goat, rabbits and turkeys). He called me to let me know that he was at my house. I told him that I was out of town for the day but would be back that night. Well, after talking with me, he took it upon himself to "do me a favor" and feed the animals - ALL OF THE ANIMALS (without my knowledge and without my approval). He went into the garage where the feed is stored and decided to fill a bucket up with the first bag of feed that he saw (Medicated starter/grower) and proceeded to pour this feed in ALL of the feeders (chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, goat and turkey. Well my 5 minute farmer-relative decides to call me right before he left my house to let me know that he fed up and that I didn't have to worry about feeding the animals since I would be coming in late. I immediately screamed out into the phone, "WHAT DID YOU FEED THEM"???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. He said that he didn't know. He took some feed out of the first bag of feed that he saw. I asked him why did he do that. He said that he thought that he was doing me a favor. I screamed to him over the phone to IMMEDIATELY run out to the pasture and IMMEDIATELY pick up ALL of the food. He asked why. I told him that it's a possiblity that he may kill some of the animals because he fed them the wrong feed. He was in shock and ran out to pick up all of the feed. He was apologizing as he was running out to get the feed. I was FURIOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I immediately gave the phone to the person that I was with because I was so upset. My relative then told my friend that he picked up all of the feed. I immediately headed home to check on the animals. As of today, everyone is ok. I have a turkey that has a crooked neck and I suspect that it is "airsacculitis caused by Mycoplasma meleagridis" but I don't think that the feed did it. So, this is why I need to find a sign that reads, "DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS". I can't risk a chance of this happening again. You would think that people wouldn't try to do something like this if they have NO knowledge of animals or what they eat. What was he thinking.
http://www.signswithanattitude.com/feed_dog_signs.html you can customize a sign on this site. I am so sorry this happened. At least he picked up all the food for you? Glad they are all still alive!
People just trying to help, but don't know what they are doing. Some of the worst things are done with the best intentions. Glad everything is okay. Maybe put a lock on your feed room? Because heaven knows, people don't read signs.
I understand your anger. Your relative was trying to help. He just chose the worst way to do so. Instead of a Do Not Feed The Animals Sign, why not put a lock on the place that you keep your feed? That would solve any problem. You can always tell your relative that he can bring certain treats to the animals but that you need to be the one to feed them. That should solve his desire to help you.
Everyone is right when you say that I should lock up the feed. I didn't think about that. So, I guess I'm at fault as well. That makes sense to me. silkypie - Thanks for the link. I will check it out.
Makes me think of the time my brother's friend fed my sheep GOAT TREATS... I understand your frustration!
Or instead of locking up the feed, maybe try showing him what feed is for what animal. What happens if there was an emergency, and you needed this person to help you out? (this has happened to me and I had to explain to someone over the phone..which is much harder than it would seem to be LOL)
