It really ticks me off

[Pathfinders]

When I sell someone some young chickens, really nice chickens (in this case Silkies), and a week later they email me to ask me if I have more for sale, because the ones I just sold them got killed by a raccoon.

Now, I know all about how bad raccoons can be, I've lost birds to them too. But I certainly wouldn't expect someone to sell me more birds after the ones I just bought from them were killed!

Sheesh...

 

[will hunt for food]

Why not?

 

[Chickenaddict]

I agree, I hate that!!! I have sold quite a few birds at swaps only to see repeat customers the next year, when I ask them how the chickens were doing they either give me the predator line or they say the chickens froze to death

Maybe it's just me but If i notice the birds are egtting too cold I give them more heat

If I have a predator problem I correct it before i get more birds! Some folks just don't care about their chickens the way most of us do

 

[DiVon80]

Some people just don"t love and care for them like we do! I had trouble doing the dog breeding thing. I truly love my dogs and people are just so ho hom! Oh well! Get another !

 

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
Because I figure those will just go to raccoon food as well.

I sell SQ birds. I'd prefer buyers who won't leave them places where a raccoon can rip them limb from limb and torture them. Call me crazy...

 

[will hunt for food]

So you think folks buy your birds, and offer them up as coon food? Stuff happens. Maybe you should do a coop inspection before you sell.

 

[speckledhen]

I agree. I've had so many birds I sold killed due to owner negligence or critical mistakes. Hurts alot since I put alot into my birds. Predators happen, but a good solid coop with attention to detail will prevent most of those losses.

 

[hinkjc]

I think at one time or another we have all lived and learned by our mistakes. Have you asked them if they corrected the situation so that the raccoon cannot get to any new chickens? I would work to educate them instead of being angry about it.

I heard from a buyer that a family of fox took out almost an entire flock of buff orps I sold them in broad daylight in his backyard (in a single swoop). I didn't criticize them. I offer my experience and support. And I felt horrible for them, as they felt horrible too for their losses and what their poor birds experienced.

I don't think people intentionally buy birds to have them eaten by predators. They are not knowledgeable about the risks predators pose to our feathered friends and need our help.

 

[will hunt for food]

Quote:
+1

Not worth getting getting angry over.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We had a person buy some Cochin chicks from us last spring. It was going down in the 30's at night still. We talked to them and explained the care they needed in detail, what did they do? take them home and put them in an unheated brooder box in the barn - go figure the next morning only 2 are still alive and they called and wanted more. Bet you can figure the answer they got from us.

Steve in NC