Need advice from experts

[cmom]

As I mentioned previously, I'm in my 70's and things are harder to do. All of my joints are shot but I keep going. Just a couple of suggestions. I have hanging 40# feeders in my coops and auto waterers. I generally have 200/400 birds. I hatch out 200/300 chicks each year. I realize around half of the chicks will be males. I do grow them out, but I breed for show quality. We have a local swap twice a month and each swap I take some males and sell them. I only keep the best as future breeders. I have been doing this for years and people know my birds so I have no problems selling them. It helps to offset the cost of the feed. I go through approximately a half ton a month. Older males when they stop performing well usually end up being stewed. I do and have had special birds (pets). I have one old gal I have had for years. She still lays an egg now and then and very out of shape due to probably chicken arthritis but she will live her life out here. At treat time she knows where to go for her special treats.

I have read this entire thread and you have been given a lot of good advice. I'm sorry to say this, but I would anonymously (you or a friend) contact someone like animal control. Maybe your mom needs it and it may help to wake her up. You, going over to clean out her coops will only temporarily help her until the next time you go over there to clean them. It appears you have bent over backwards trying to help your mom. Maybe she needs to hear it from someone else. Since you apparently don't have any birds yet, maybe take some of your moms birds and get them back to good health. I don't know if she comes to visit you but maybe she would take notice. Leave her, her pretty boys. I wish you the best of luck...

 

[Folly's place]

About disease risk to your future flock; one way to find out if your mom's birds are carrying anything contagious is to have one or more necropsied, preferably at your state veterinary vet lab. If this is all about bad husbandry, you can take them home and make their lives better. If it's about Marek's disease, not so good. Only testing will give you that information!
I think animal control may be a good option, this is a very tough situation for you, and her critters.
So sorry,
Mary

 

[cmom]

If it's too bad animal control may take her birds. I think they usually give a warning first and come back after a period of time to check and if the compliance hasn't been met, then they can take the birds. Again, good luck...

 

[streetriley]

May I ask a difficult question? Is she a hoarder? That may be the actual root of the problem, and if so, I have no idea what to do next. What does her house look like, inside?

I am so sorry you are having this problem. It’s a lot easier to try and “fix” it when she’s not your Mom. :-(

She is not a hoarder, just has a different view of animals i.e.: God placed them on this Earth to serve humans, etc.. so they are beneath us in her mind.

 

[streetriley]

About disease risk to your future flock; one way to find out if your mom's birds are carrying anything contagious is to have one or more necropsied, preferably at your state veterinary vet lab. If this is all about bad husbandry, you can take them home and make their lives better. If it's about Marek's disease, not so good. Only testing will give you that information!
I think animal control may be a good option, this is a very tough situation for you, and her critters.
So sorry,
Mary

I am going to do the lab thing, someone gave me a website that contained lab information.

 

[streetriley]

Tomorrow w

Tell us how it goes, I think all of these suggestions are good, especially the anonymous animal control, and the "I'll keep that looney off your back" comment is a good idea on a way to bring her to her senses! Good luck, Avery

Tomorrow will be the day, I'll have my sister here for additional support.

 

[streetriley]

As I mentioned previously, I'm in my 70's and things are harder to do. All of my joints are shot but I keep going. Just a couple of suggestions. I have hanging 40# feeders in my coops and auto waterers. I generally have 200/400 birds. I hatch out 200/300 chicks each year. I realize around half of the chicks will be males. I do grow them out, but I breed for show quality. We have a local swap twice a month and each swap I take some males and sell them. I only keep the best as future breeders. I have been doing this for years and people know my birds so I have no problems selling them. It helps to offset the cost of the feed. I go through approximately a half ton a month. Older males when they stop performing well usually end up being stewed. I do and have had special birds (pets). I have one old gal I have had for years. She still lays an egg now and then and very out of shape due to probably chicken arthritis but she will live her life out here. At treat time she knows where to go for her special treats.

I have read this entire thread and you have been given a lot of good advice. I'm sorry to say this, but I would anonymously (you or a friend) contact someone like animal control. Maybe your mom needs it and it may help to wake her up. You, going over to clean out her coops will only temporarily help her until the next time you go over there to clean them. It appears you have bent over backwards trying to help your mom. Maybe she needs to hear it from someone else. Since you apparently don't have any birds yet, maybe take some of your moms birds and get them back to good health. I don't know if she comes to visit you but maybe she would take notice. Leave her, her pretty boys. I wish you the best of luck...

Thank you, very good advice!

 

[streetriley]

If it's too bad animal control may take her birds. I think they usually give a warning first and come back after a period of time to check and if the compliance hasn't been met, then they can take the birds. Again, good luck...

If it means healthy birds, im all for it

 

[streetriley]

She is not a hoarder, just has a different view of animals i.e.: God placed them on this Earth to serve humans, etc.. so they are beneath us in her mind.

She's a very kind woman, to people. She was raised very poor and they never could afford a doctor leg alone a vet. In her mind, that's the way it should be, no matter what scientific research proves otherwise. It's just difficult because I love my mother to pieces and always will. Just don't want to hurt her feelings.

 

[Folly's place]