Need advice from experts

[streetriley]

Am just curious: is she buying chickens multiple times from outside the flock, or are they going broody on her and hatching out chicks? How is she getting her “hybrids?” Does she incubate the eggs?

What was your mother’s flock like when she was younger, or did she even have chickens then? I know there’s a disagreement in philosophy between you and her, but knowing what her situation with chickens was like 10 or 15 years ago would be helpful.

I would agree with the advice to have a “dedicated” set of clothes + shoes + tools for when you go over to see your mother. Those things should stay in the car in bags and not be used on your own farm. How permanent is your farm? If you own your farm, I would be especially cautious about introducing diseases.

Try to settle with her and talk about how you’re worried about diseases with the crowding and manure. Is there someone else who could play a role in intervening, like your father or a nearby sister or brother? Are there friendly neighbors who like the idea of a few or some chickens but don’t like the smell with so many?

I am really surprised that she won’t butcher some of those roosters.

If your mother’s property is as small as you describe, aren’t the neighbors annoyed with the 5 am crowing from several roosters?

Rather than jump to conclusions and give advice other than removing some of the roosters, I would rather ask a few more questions about the situation.

Is your mother in a suburban area on less than a 1/4 acre, or is she out in the country somewhere on a bigger piece of land and just refuses to make her coop and run adequate for the number of chickens?

The services of a veterinarian sound awfully expensive. I doubt you or your mother have the resources for that, given the small size of the run mentioned. Is the property really small, or is there any way the run could be made larger?

Are you in the United States, or are you in the UK or Europe, or somewhere else?

Yes and yes. She'll purchase chicks from Rural King and places like that. She bought a used incubator and didn't realize you have to turn the eggs and didn't have the temperature set just right so she let her hens hatch out the new ones. Most of those chicks didn't last past 1-3 days. The ones purchased from a store lasted longer. Not sure where I implied she has small property, she does not. She has a small coop. She has a large run, that is also sometimes shared with sheep. (Whole other topic). Her run is fenced in all around. She is on 6 acres in a rural area. When she started with her chickens around 10 years ago, she was more careful and dedicated to keeping it clean, and the population under control. She butchered 5 roosters this time last year. There are still around 7-9 left, waaaaay too many! I could try and involve my sister as a mediator, but we are dealing with the mother of all stubborn mothers! As a girl they did have chickens, the situation was the same! That is where she got her "crazy" ideas: manure is good because it keeps them warm in the winter, etc....

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

@streetriley I also think you are a hero to those birds! Thank you for intervening on their behalf. It is hard and very good of you not to turn your back on them. I also like to protect the freedom of each of us to run their own live and farm, your mom included, so this is hard.

I hope your mom can accept a little interference and still have her lifestyle the way she wants it with a little guidance on what is necessary for the wellbeing of birds. I hope some acceptable compromises can be found. Fewer birds, fewer roosters, additional enclosures and roosting bars, etc. maybe.

Like others have said, is there someone she respects who may be able to chime in, in a kind and helpful way? Like a family member or Pastor or one of your mom's friends?

Why does she want the chickens? Maybe what she gets out of having them could be achieved some other way. Maybe a different pet, like a dog that is easier to take care of? Birds do seem to require a lot of attention and care - more than most people would think at first.

Just some ideas. Hugs!

 

[streetriley]

@streetriley I also think you are a hero to those birds! Thank you for intervening on their behalf. It is hard and very good of you not to turn your back on them. I also like to protect the freedom of each of us to run their own live and farm, your mom included, so this is hard.

I hope your mom can accept a little interference and still have her lifestyle the way she wants it with a little guidance on what is necessary for the wellbeing of birds. I hope some acceptable compromises can be found. Fewer birds, fewer roosters, additional enclosures and roosting bars, etc. maybe.

Like others have said, is there someone she respects who may be able to chime in, in a kind and helpful way? Like a family member or Pastor or one of your mom's friends?

Why does she want the chickens? Maybe what she gets out of having them could be achieved some other way. Maybe a different pet, like a dog that is easier to take care of? Birds do seem to require a lot of attention and care - more than most people would think at first.

Just some ideas. Hugs!

Thank you, I will try to find someone she will be open to.

 

[Ruthster55]

Yes and yes. She'll purchase chicks from Rural King and places like that. She bought a used incubator and didn't realize you have to turn the eggs and didn't have the temperature set just right so she let her hens hatch out the new ones. Most of those chicks didn't last past 1-3 days. The ones purchased from a store lasted longer. Not sure where I implied she has small property, she does not. She has a small coop. She has a large run, that is also sometimes shared with sheep. (Whole other topic). Her run is fenced in all around. She is on 6 acres in a rural area. When she started with her chickens around 10 years ago, she was more careful and dedicated to keeping it clean, and the population under control. She butchered 5 roosters this time last year. There are still around 7-9 left, waaaaay too many! I could try and involve my sister as a mediator, but we are dealing with the mother of all stubborn mothers! As a girl they did have chickens, the situation was the same! That is where she got her "crazy" ideas: manure is good because it keeps them warm in the winter, etc....

I wouldn’t count her incubator failures as disease losses. Those are usually situations where there’s a learning curve with the incubator especially if there’s no automatic turner. I doubt she’s trying to use the ‘bator at this time of year, though.

It’s good that she is on six acres. From the 300sf coop, it sounded like she was on a tiny suburban lot. That’s why I guessed the place was small.

Maybe she needs better fencing to keep the sheep in their own pasture away from the chickens.

Just removing (butchering and eating) 2 or 3 roosters out of the 7-9 would be helpful for the hens if there are 50 hens or so.

Just improving the coop and run would be helpful. You and she might need to buy or obtain some sheet metal or galvanized to improve the roofing so the run isn’t so muddy.

Then, build a composting bin for the manure that is away from the chickens and closer to a garden area. The manure should be ready to be put on the garden after several months.

If she’s on six acres and you have any resources whatsoever, some fencing and building materials could help.

Vet bills and citations from animal control are awful expensive. Rather than being punitive, try to help her out maybe with a fencing or building project. Could family members chip in a bit for a roll of fence wire?

 

[Ab1010]

Thank you, that is a good point. I don't have another flock.

I agree. Id take them. Give them chick start. Apple cider vinegar and honey are also great for them so add that to the water. You could give them corrid too just to be safe. Thats really sad. It sounds like the rest possibly won't make it if you dont take them.. and no harm since there is no risk of exposure to another flock!

 

[Ruthster55]

P.S. Just curious what breeds and mixes does your mom have?

 

[MROO]

How about "borrowing" your Mom's incubator, totally disinfecting it and having a go at it, yourself. If you really want to appease Mom, use some of her fertile eggs the first time. Once you've successfully hatched a few of those, thank Mom for getting you "hooked," keep the incubator and get some fertilized eggs from a reputable breeder and build your own custom flock.

 

[black_cat]

Really not an expert here, but maybe if you were to get/make some feeders or waterers that could help the situation a bit? I know that there are some cheap ones out there that can be made using 5 gallon buckets and PVC. That could help with the feed issues/water issues. You can also make cheap nesting boxes out of 5 gallon buckets lids, cutting the lids to make a lip to keep bedding in. I don't know how helpful these ideas are, but I hope they can help a bit! @streetriley , you are so great to try to help these poor chickens out!

 

[Weeg]

I just remembered the poop hammock! You could build her a poop hammock for ht chickens to use and it will keep them out of there poop! That will help a bit maybe! These two articles have two different approches on the poop hammock, that are good. You can look up images of them too and get a pretty good idea on how to build one!

https://thechickenpoop.com/category/poop-hammock/
https://www.communitychickens.com/the-poop-hammock-keeping-your-coop-clean/

 

[Pghelp]

Get everything ready, coop, feeders, waterers, chick feed (ideally medicated since you may have some sickly ones), and bedding. Lights too if they're little and need to be kept warm. I'm one of the save the chickens if you can, especially since you don't have to worry about infecting a current flock. You'll learn a lot, eventually have fresh eggs, and will be super ready to choose breeds and renew your flock in a few years time. Do it! Save the chicks!