Foster chickens... I am unprepared!

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Hi I am Marc from Middle TN. I bought a piece of property last fall with the intention to start homesteading gradually. I had planned on starting with chickens this spring but I am behind due to the hard winter. However, Saturday my neighbor was arrested on serious charges (drug manufacturing) and his chickens were left penned up around his house. Tuesday rolled around and it was at this point I realized what was going on. I hadn't seen anyone come in over there and could see chickens running around cages going crazy. I called the sheriff's department (you would think they would have made arrangements for the care of these animals when they raided the property) and they said it would be okay for me to feed and water but not to let the birds out of the cages. I walked over and checked it out... there are 3 hens and a rooster in a 5'X5' pen with 2 milk crates for nest boxes, one full of eggs. Also one hen and one rooster in a 2'X4' cage. There are also 2 hens and a rooster roaming free. I looked around to find their feed and apparently they were being fed Lays popcorn because all I could find was a big box full of bags of it nearby. I put some of this out and they ate it. Wednesday I bought a bag of cracked corn from TSC and tossed about a handful of this out per bird. They seemed happy about this. I wish I could let them all out! What should I do from here? My neighbor's court date is the 26th and the rumor is he will probably get time so I'm not sure what will happen then. How about all those eggs... would they still be good or do you think he was trying to hatch chicks?? I would appreciate any advice/guidance. Thanks!
 
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Oh wow...Well at least you are able to step in. If you hadn't, pretty soon these birds probably would have passed on. Are you able to at lease access the ones in cages for food and water also? Are you able to get into the area or just throw food over the fence?

First, you need to get them on regular chicken feed. If you can find a feed that is called a Flock Raiser...this is chicken feed that does not have a lot of calcium in it. Hens need extra calcium for laying, Roosters can't handle the extra calcium. If you can't find a flock raiser type feed, regular layer feed will have to do for now. Pick up some Oyster Shell as well at the feed store, The hens will need this in a separate bowl. They will eat this if they need more calcium for laying. Of course make sure they have fresh water every day. Dehydration can cause the hens to not be able to pass their eggs.

I wouldn't worry about the eggs right now unless a hen is setting on them. You would be best to remove them so the hens don't start eating them. (a very bad habit...hens eating their eggs).

Make sure they all look ok...no injuries. If you can get them locked up at night into their coop to protect them, this would be a great thing.

Well,, you sure are a good soul to be taking care of these birds. I am not sure what else to tell you. Please keep us posted!! And if you have any questions, please ask away and we can help you.
hugs.gif
 
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Oh, and if you want to do some reading here on BYC the learning center is a great place to do some reading about all the aspects of keeping chickens....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

I wish you THE BEST of luck!

If at all possible, can you get the birds out of the cages??
 
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Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Yikes, good of you to take care of these animals. TwoCrows gave you good advice on caring for them. Can you call Animal Control, Humane Society etc whoever would be in charge of abandoned / neglected animals in your area? They should be able to seize the animals and deal with the Sheriffs Department, you shouldn't have to go trespassing on your neighbors property for the next month taking care of his animals.
 

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