I know just what you mean. I got my Black Stars at a feed store. They were only 3 weeks old, but they were so crammed in together and pecking each other that the chicks were scabbie and bloody and bald and we called them our buzzards for a while until they feathered out and are now beautiful and sweet. They would also screech if I got near them for a long time. I sort of felt like I rescued them and I didn't want to think about all the ones I left behind.I just have to say that this is so great! I wish there was more places that would try to do this type of feed. At least as an option.
I just quit buying anything from one of the feed stores close to me as I have come across some very objectionable practices (to me at least). The owner insisted to me recently that medicated feed is the best and all the best are medicated. Hmmmm.......I didn't want to medicate my meaties and he just wouldn't listen. I usually only get feed at this store on an emergency last minute basis. I have always for years gone much further out of my way to another place to get feed always seems much fresher and they give better and more eggs. And then the other day I looked at their 'chicks'. I decided to just look on a whim since I would like to have more of the Houdans. The chickens were at least 10-12weeks old. CRAMMED into tiny cages that would have been sufficient up to maybe 2weeks. It was a very hot afternoon and only a fan in the window with the sun blazing in. I felt like I needed to rescue 100 chickensIt has made me so sad and I have been thinking about that for the last 3-4 days since I saw that. I had gone in just to grab a bale of hay and didn't even get that.
Sorry to vent about that (and I won't name any place of business) but those poor pullets have me upset and I told my husband to that we will NOT be giving them any of our business anymore! I will just have to be doubly sure that I never run out of anything.
