First, they may be in over their heads, but that does not mean they are bad people or manipulative or hoarders or any of that. Note that the OP has said several times that they simply do not know, that they mean well and are trying.
I would suggest mentioning 4H to the parents, that it is an excellent animal husbandry learning opportunity for the kids. OP, become a mentor. This does not mean stepping in and doing their work for them, but it means giving a lot of "I" messages and answering questions: "Well, I have found that _____ works best for me. I tried ____, and it didn't work so well because ____." Or, "Smith on the next farm over does _____, but Jones does ____ and I do ____." "Here come over and help me do ___, and you'll earn how to do it on your own animals." "You know, I really don't know much about ___, but Brown over on the other side of the highway sure does. I'll get you his number."
I would suggest mentioning 4H to the parents, that it is an excellent animal husbandry learning opportunity for the kids. OP, become a mentor. This does not mean stepping in and doing their work for them, but it means giving a lot of "I" messages and answering questions: "Well, I have found that _____ works best for me. I tried ____, and it didn't work so well because ____." Or, "Smith on the next farm over does _____, but Jones does ____ and I do ____." "Here come over and help me do ___, and you'll earn how to do it on your own animals." "You know, I really don't know much about ___, but Brown over on the other side of the highway sure does. I'll get you his number."
