Dozens of chickens, other animals removed from SW Wichita home

[costello]

I didn't know where to post this. Please move it if it's in the wrong forum.

This is a local news story. I'm surprised that the ammonia build up could be bad enough in two weeks that the birds all had to be destroyed. The article does say "at least" two weeks, so maybe it was much longer.

WICHITA, Kan. — Charges are possible after dozens of animals, including numerous chickens, were removed from the basement of a west Wichita home yesterday.
Animal control went to a home in the 11000 block of West Lotus around 4:15 p.m. Thursday on a follow-up investigation. There, they found multiple animals living in a bathroom in the basement, including 58 chickens, 2 turkeys and 4 guinea pigs.
Police and fire personnel were called to the scene to assist. Police Lt. Dan East said that the smell of ammonia from the animals' waste was so bad, it was dangerous. So bad in fact, he said firefighters had to us breathing apparatus to get inside the basement to remove the birds. All the chickens and turkeys removed from the home had to be put down.
Two adults and five children live there. The couple told police that they had so many chickens because they like fresh eggs. Lt. East said the animals and birds had been living inside the home for at least two weeks.
City law limits the number of animals residents can own. Residents can own 3 chickens without a permit, or 12 with a permit.
The 34-year-old man and 34-year-old woman are facing possible charges.

http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/...s-removed-from-SW-Wichita-home-264927451.html

 

[chooks4life]

64 animals in a confined space without adequate ventilation could really produce some ammonia in 2 weeks flat, yes... Poultry are more susceptible to lung issues than many other animals and could be permanently damaged very quickly. You would be surprised how much ammonia one baby sheep/goat can produce in a well ventilated area never mind a terribly ventilated basement, and that's still nowhere near the output of that many dozens of animals. At least the authorities stepped in before they added the pig and cow, lol! Ok, not a great topic to joke about...

The problem with many people is that they don't know how ignorant they are; pre-emptive education ought to help prevent some of these sorts of excessive and cruel mistakes. Not sure how you'd manage that though, information is everywhere for those inclined to look and for those disinclined it's nowhere. That's also true of some educated people too, if something conflicts with their beliefs enough they may just choose not to see it.

Best wishes.

 

[costello]

After I posted this, I re-read the story more closely, read the comments, and watched the video.

The birds were all in a bathroom in the basement. I honestly don't know how you fit that many birds in a bathroom unless you have them in tiny cages.

One commenter claims to know the man and says they've had chickens for at least 5 years, so they aren't inexperienced.

A neighbor in the video says that they used to keep them in the garage and that chickens would occasionally fly into their yard.

Someone said they'd had their chickens taken before. Maybe that's why they were in the basement? Hiding them?

Oh, and I guess the reason the chickens were found was that the authorities were there to check on the welfare of one of their children.

 

[chooks4life]

Eh, what can you say? Sometimes people are just plain cruel, no innocent mistake behind it.