How long do you "guarantee" the birds you sell?

[spookyevilone]

So, take this with a grain of salt, because I've never sold an adult chicken before but I used to breed and sell other animals.

I used to guarantee an animal live on delivery, free from genetic defects, and that they did not come from diseased stock. I didn't make that last guarantee for show animals - it's just not possible.

I also had a provision in my sales contract that said the new owners were to give them bottled water, not tap water, for the first week, and gradually mix in their tap water so that if there were any new chemicals/whatever, the animal would have time to get used to it without shocking their system into gastrointestinal badness. I also sent them home with a bag of whatever the animal had been eating so they could wean the animal onto the food they were providing - even if it was the same thing. Feed lots are occasionally different enough that it can bother an animal's stomach.

Animals can also go punky for a day up to a week after going to a new home. Babies adjust better than adults. Adults can get depressed, confused, upset, and stop eating or drinking. Best thing for them is isolation, warmth, less stimulation which means the new owner not poking at them every 2 seconds, and availability of food and fresh water.

If the animal doesn't perk up after a week (which may be too long for chickens, idk, but pick a reasonable time - 3 days, etc) then the new owner was directed to take the animal to a vet to find out why. If it was genetic defect, I'd replace the animal (never had to) If it was disease, I'd get my animals tested (which, the one time it happened, proved the disease hadn't come from my house). If the animal died within the first week, I'd demand a necropsy to find out why and follow what I just said about defect/disease. Any other reason is the new owner's problem. If they wouldn't shell out for a necropsy, then I'd refuse to refund a durn thing and would demand the animal back so *I* could have a necropsy run. The once this happened was with a rabbit - the owner refused to provide the body, so I had the sheriff go with me to demand it. Turned out the guy's toddler had squished it to death.

Unless you have a sales contract that specifies otherwise, you're legally not liable for anything. The new owner knew he was getting an animal that had been at a show, which is assumed risk. In the name of good relations, if it turns out to be disease, I'd maybe offer him another bird, but not the money back. Maybe one from another hatching.

My $.02.
-Spooky

 

[therealsilkiechick]

there r many things that could be wrong stress, low on the peck order, depressed due to new home, caught something from show or after she got to new house ect.

just because noone else from show is sick doesn't mean she isn't. in shows they r spread out among other birds it is possible she was exposed to something others were not but there is many ways they can catch things. a bird can be sick and not show signs of it either. i do not show birds unless they r vaccinated it is way to risky for them to catch things so entire flock gets vaccinated.

in all honesty ur birds should be issolated for 30 days after they come back from show. sometimes things don't show right away. they should not leave ur property if going to be sold till the 30 days r up nor should they be put back in with birds at home till after that. biosecurity should be used to protect the flock at all times, however i know not everyone does it or can do that and showing makes them more exposed to things so anything is possible.

with that said once a bird leaves me or the property i have them on i do not replace or refund either and i absolutely will not take them back. there is way to many factors involved on that my biggest reason is biosecurity i don't know what they have been exposed to once they leave me and it is my job as a breeder to protect the flock at home and that includes my friends flock also since they r all on the same property. all it takes is one bird, that's it to bring something in, i've been there and will never do that again....

 

[speckledhen]

I agree that no bird who leaves my property comes back here, no matter what. No telling what the problem is, but if she appeared well and wasn't ill before that you know of, then you really dont have an imperative to replace her. If you want to, however, that is your perogative. There's no way to know what happened to her after she left your care.