Feeding someone else's chickens?

[ellie_may12]

My friend lives next door to someone whose house was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Even with all the assistance programs, the family has not rebuilt. What they did build was a super nice chicken coop. The house is unlivable, but the chickens were living in style. Well, the family has moved out of the area. They separated and the wife is living over an hour away. We are unsure of what has happened to the husband. Most of the chickens were removed from the coop, but a roo and hen remain.

Since no one is living there, my friend has been checking on the chickens. I gave her some laying pellets and scratch. She has been filling their water and feeding them. One day, when she saw someone over at their house, she asked about the chickens, but was not given an answer about their future. There has been bad blood between my friend and her neighbors for many years, because of the neighbors lack of concern for their animals. I too am bothered by the lack of concern that these people have for their chickens, because while the coop is much nicer than what my chickens live in, they are cooped up all day and never allowed to roam. (I know that is normal for factory farms, but it just doesn't seem right for backyard chickens)

Well, a couple of days ago, one of the eggs that the hen was sitting on hatched. I gave my friend a bag of chick starter that I had left over from my pullets.

Here is my question though...I have never had a rooster, so do they eat laying pellets? Starter? or what? I know that the chick will eat starter, but so will the hen, so should we still offer the laying pellets? Should we even be feeding their chickens? I hate that we are trespassing to feed and water their chickens, but I can't see letting them suffer because they have no food or water.

What would you do?

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

roosters eat laying pelletts just fine. I would just go get the birds, otherwise call the humane society.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

My roos just eat the same layer food I give my hens. I have to thank you for being so kind and giving food for the chickens to eat. I am surprised someone hasn't eaten them by now. Is there any way to find the owner and just ask them if you can take them. That is if you even want them. I would probably call the humane society and let them know that noone is taking care of them. Good luck and thanks again for being so kind.

 

[chics in the sun]

And take the coop, too, if you can find some people to help you lift it. Paint it a different color - they'll never know. Mum's the word.

 

[teach1rusl]

Honestly, if I was in your friend's position (assuming nobody is living there anymore, but just occasionally showing up to check on the property), those chickens would probably disappear somehow...

 

[Penturner]

So if I don't agree with how all of you take care of your chickens, I can just come take your birds, coop, food and whatever else I don't think you should need?
And before you say it I don't care if you "Think" the birds are not being cared for. I think they are. And how they are being cared for does not need your approval. There are people you can call if you think the animals need to be helped. So that is also not your decision to make.

 

[ellie_may12]

I don't want or need 3 more chickens. I have 16 hens as it is living on less than 1/4 of an acre. They have eaten every green thing that they can find on my property. Which is another question of mine...what to plant that the chickens won't demolish?...but that can be another post.

The coop wouldn't even fit on my property if I wanted it. I just think that it is funny that the house is still in a state of disrepair after 5 years, but the coop is beautiful.

The Humane Society was called a couple of years ago, because of another animal issue, so my friend doesn't really want to do it again.

It isn't that I "think" they are not being cared for. They are not being cared for if there is no water or food in the coop. They are not being taken care of if the coop is dirty and smells. I know that they are not even able to get out of the coop and get some grass, eat a bug or get a sip of rain water if they are thirsty.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

then I would box them up and take them to the humane society . . . or you could call them. You can turn someone in anonymously.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
I guess it's a moral delimma. If I see an animal being blatantly abused or neglected, I'm going to handle the situation in a way that I see fit and think is right. Personally, I don't think people who abuse or neglect animals deserve to own animals. Just like I don't think people who abuse or neglect children deserve to have those children. The law will intervene more often in the case of children; animal abuse/neglect is often ignored by the legal system. I'll take my chances breaking one law to do what I feel is morally right.
And I do understand what you're saying, that it's somewhat a perspective issue on "proper chicken care," but I would still have to go with what I felt was right based on what I seeing.