I didn't buy them

[Alabama ee]

I am not sure why ...but I am feeling guilty.

I have decided to buy a couple more birds to add to our small flock. Today, I went out to look at someone's red stars. When I got there, I noticed all of them had sore feet. Not really bumps, but the skin was peeling a little. They also had a sort of bad smell. Infection? Maybe it was because of being on 3 feet of poo, no shavings? They did seem to be the right weight, etc. I started to get some a couple of times while there, but was a little worried about bringing something back. I do have a place to quarantine, but still...

I guess of part of me feel a little sorry for the guy. His health was not too good.

 

[Funky Feathers]

That's NASTY!! 3 feet of poo? Gross! I would report them to animal control.

 

[Alabama ee]

The smell or something there actually made my throat and eyes burn. When I came home, I actually took my shoes off and threw them away. Then, I took a shower. It has been a few hours since I was there, my eyes are still itchy.

 

[ducks4you]

Keeping a HORSE in 3 foot of poo is neglect. You might want to just tell them you noticed.

 

[chicmom]

ARG! Trust your instincts.....you did the right thing.......gotta protect your existing flock.....

 

[Alabama ee]

The way I noticed it was 3 foot is that he had them in a horse trailer. When he opened the door, you could see the build up.

Thanks everyone. I am feeling a little better about not getting them.

 

[Funky Feathers]

They could die in such horrid conditions! I hope you called (or will call) Animal Control on them.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

The foot deal is scaley leg mites. They get under the leg scales and suck blood like other mites.
The smell is just from being in poor conditions, may or may not have infections, good chance at it if they are that bad off.
The scaley leg mites are easy to fix, WD 40 sprayed on them, vaseline with Sevin dust mixed in, or Ivermectin wormer all will kill them quickly.
However, if they are kept in that poor of condition, I'd surely pass, no need to run the high risk of bringing home a disease.
If you, be sure to quarentine them well away from your other birds for no less than 30 days, if you see a problem, reset the clock and start over after it's cured before introducing them to your current birds.
Best to do this even if they new birds seem, look and smell healthy.

 

[kipper]

Thank your lucky stars you didn't buy them. I'm sure your flock would thank you, too.

 

[oldchickenlady]

That smell was probably ammonia. It will burn your eyes for a while, and since the poo was that deep, I feel pretty sure it was ammonia.