Don't apologize! You answered my questions. I guess that all really does make it more difficult. But at the end of the day the animals are still suffering. I wonder if you could help her rehome them on Craigslist or something. It seems her intentions are good (she wants to take care of her mom's chickens), but she just doesn't seem able to keep up with these things if she is having personal issues. Maybe she would feel good if you guys found homes for them that seem good. Then it's one thing off both of your plates and the animals can have better lives. I know that is easier said than done, especially by me, a person on the outside of the situation, but maybe because you are close with her you can have a heart to heart conversation with her and explain that maybe it would be best. I'm just brainstorming here. I just feel bad for the chickens.I wish it were that easy... The "neighbor" is my old mentor/dearest friend. If you look at my old threads, the story should be in there. She's so deep in her grief (traumatic grief, in her case), doing something like that would be incredibly traumatic. She honestly believes she's "taking wonderful care of her late Mother's beloved chickens"...
The trash is also a big issue... After her Mother died, people who had no business being here started moving in, trashing the place, being general jerks, all that. When we moved here a year ago, I honestly thought my old friend wanted my help to clean it up! Big sigh. Nope. She's far too afraid of any change. (I went to school to become a substance abuse counselor, traumatic grief was something I'm all too familiar with.) Anyhoo!
Oh dear.
Please accept my apologies, I did not intend to go off like that!! Goodness. I suppose in a roundabout way it is relevant.. I've been feeding and caring for her birds as best I can, but at this point I just need to find a new home.
Once I'm settled again, bring on the glorious chickens! (Hopefully sooner rather than later...)
I'm torn on what to do about the "PLC's" ("parking lot chickens") when I leave.
The problem is, I just can't keep up. After rehoming several batches of darling chicks (there's one old hen who attacks me on sight now, lol, poor girl. I wish I could explain her babies are getting a way better life!!), and my dad adopted one with a crushed leg... It became a full time job. It's really taken a toll. Plus, even if I did call the city? The "rights" of poultry are nearly non-existent. It's beyond sad. I've already been told there was nothing they could do, so.... Right before I leave though, I've identified the main hens who are baby factories. Them, and the roosters will get new homes, one way or another. 
)
