NASTY AUCTIONS!!!!

[SunAngel]

I know quite often here recently there has been women in bio type suits there testing all the birds that are brought into the sale. I've never noticed any rejected and I know they even tested some that I brought in. Not exactly sure what they were testing for.

I will admit, some of the hens/roos that go through the auction look really rough...debeaked, lots of missing feathers, deformed feet, etc. But then you also have the ones that look really healthy and well cared for. After awhile it gets easier to tell which chickens are being unloaded for health reasons or age vs. the ones being sold to make some money or because of downsizing. We have a lot of Menonite farmers around us and they bring much of the stuff being sold, which I like because they seem to take much better care of their animals.

My complaint is with the people running the auctions, that yank the birds out of the cages and boxes like they are stuffed animals. They slam them around and shove them back into the boxes as if they aren't living creatures, its sad. And they also accept anything. If I was them and opened up a box to see featherless, sick looking chickens, I would turn them away.

I usually only buy young chicks or a mom and babies and haven't had any problems with them yet. I am really picky though and do keep them separated for quite awhile til I can make sure they aren't sick.

 

[Shared Acres]

IS there a manager you can talk to? Or maybe Animal control?

 

[realmofthewoodsranch]

Oh, that's just awful! It sounds like an episode from Animal Cops!

 

[Whispering Winds]

This just made me feel sick . . . poor animals. People sort of make fun of me I think, behind my back, because I am such an advocate of treating an animal humanely. I don't tell people to give them bubble baths or cavier, but for heaven's sake, is it too much too ask to just make sure they are safe, secure, fed and watered? I just adoped a little dog from a humane society, had an allergy, lost half his fur on his butt and hindquarters, and I have taken him to the vet, doctored him for the past three weeks, and the love in this little guys eyes is enough to make me cry!! It's so easy to be kind and good to these helpless animals. . .people will pay for this cruelty to animals. There is an old indian belief that I love that says all the animals you own in your life will be waiting at Heaven's door and THEY decide if you enter or not. I am home free!!!

 

[CARS]

Quote:
Alot of the sick/hurt cattle go right to the butcher shop. Know where your meat is coming from!!!

 

[minifarmgurl1]

OH my goodness you are all soo right! yeck!! some of these things ive never really thought of! yikes!..i didnt buy any chickens from that sale but im for sure now that these 2 hens i bought probably came from this auction within the month and thats scary...i did however clean with non-chlorine bleach the metal nesting boxes i got..buti didnt quartine my 2 hens after i got them from the flea market...i have just gotten started with my chickens and i have 14 10week old chicks...just great...im such a ding dong!..that hen that i have that wont lay eggs has the runs...but non of the other birds do...SHOULD I GO OUT RIGHT NOW AND QUARTINE HER FOR A MONTH AND WASH EVERYTHING DOWN IMMEDITLY!!!!??????????????.....

 

[Slywoody]

No matter where you get any livestock, chickens included, they should be quarentined and monitored for at least a month. Without doing so, you are opening up a can of worms you may not want to deal with. Good Luck Woody

 

[minifarmgurl1]

IS IT TOO LATE FOR ME TO QUARTINE AND WASH??? IVE HAD HER 5 DAYS..

 

[Crunchie]

Quote:
It sounds to me like that one hen isn't feeling well, and I would separate her for her own well-being--if you think it would help to keep her comfortable and rested. I'm thinking though that if they have any nasties, it is probably too late to worry about spreading it. Don't beat yourself up about it!

You were trying to do a good thing. Please don't think I posted to make you feel bad, I just wanted to remind everyone that quarantining is so important! Most people just don't think about it.

Birds being tested before a sale were probably being tested for AI and/or Pullorum. Which is all well and good, but there are a lot of other things floating around out there than can wipe out all of your birds.

It's not just sales & auctions, there are plenty of individuals who pick up birds all over and don't take care of them properly or know/care what they are spreading around. Some people are without compassion, some are good people that just don't know any better. So wherever your birds come from...quarantine them!

 

[19hhbelgian]

Quote:
That happens all the time. I do a lot of rescue (as much as is feasible for me and our farm), and last summer I couldn't tell you how many horses went through with "strangles". They'd say "has a bit of a runny nose, give 'em antibiotics and he'll be great!" Meanwhile the horse is gushing mucus, & you look underneath the horses throat and find huge abcesses. It's a highly contagious "disease" that can be treated, but unless you can quaratine, you're in trouble. They are only in it for the money - absolutely nothing else. Why don't they sell the animals first... If they did, nobody would stay for the other non-animal items (I know I typically wouldn't!). I go to the auctions with the only thought that I will be helping as much as I can, and at least I'm helping some who might not have been so lucky. That's the only reason I can come home with less than the whole auction house

The auction houses aren't supposed to accept sick or underweight animals, but nobody enforces it. I'm surprised anyone was testing the birds as stated previously.