Not feeding chickens

[lazy gardener]

Sorry, but IMO, this is a point where animal welfare trumps friendship. Those chicks NEED to be fed.

You are in a difficult situation b/c it appears that you are living together. I would do what ever was in my power to remove myself from this toxic relationship ASAP. You deserve better. And apparently her chicks also deserve better. Next time you cook a nice meal, tell her that she can just go forage for her dinner.

 

[BarredRockMom]

Sorry, but IMO, this is a point where animal welfare trumps friendship. Those chicks NEED to be fed.

You are in a difficult situation b/c it appears that you are living together. I would do what ever was in my power to remove myself from this toxic relationship ASAP. You deserve better. And apparently her chicks also deserve better. Next time you cook a nice meal, tell her that she can just go forage for her dinner.

Or, you could lock her outside & eat in front of your largest window, while waving to her. See if she has any luck finding dinner outside.

 

[Sam Pritchard]

Ahhh honestly I wouldn't call her a "friend" after all the events I've seen her do since moving in. I moved into a house with my boyfriend and his friends- our landlord lives with us too and the girl who is not feeding her chickens is my landlords girlfriend. Sooo, I can't do much without pissing her off and in turn pissing off my landlord.

I've been giving her chicks food here and there. I'd love to show her all your posts but I know it's infurriate her and she'd say it's garbage. She always tells me "real" farmers aren't posting online. I'm someone who is very open about learning and will always accept I am wrong, she is quite the opposite so we almost always bump heads.

I have thought about calling animal welfare due to her treatment of her cat as well.. but we don't have visitors or know people up here so I know she would know it was me and that would be a huge mess. I've just taken on the burden of secretly taking care of her animals. It sucks bc as a previous poster said- she won't learn she will think well they seem healthy (but that's because I'm taking care of them)

It's heartbreaking and I wish I could have a second conversation with her about it- but I've never seen her so stern towards me when ever I told her I thought she was being cruel.

 

[kklowell]

Maybe you should talk to your boyfriend and suggest finding a better place to live. I don't know you or your situation, but just from reading this, I think you need to learn to stand up for yourself (and those birds.)

 

[lazy gardener]

I suggest that you remove yourself from this toxic situation.

 

[lena_]

I'm sorry all of this is happening, but did you actually BUY her food, to feed HER chickens, but SHE is still not feeding them?
That is ridiculous, it's honestly cruelty. Someone who refuses to care for animals that they own does not deserve to own animals at all.
You should most certainly feed the poor chickens as they are likely starving. My chickens free range from their breakfast(About 9:00AM) To their dinner (About 6:00PM) and eat all of their food.
If you take on caring for them secretly you must be prepared to get caught. If she finds out call an animal welfare line ASAP.

 

[Warwickchickenhill]

Go feed them now! Heck with her! Find some where else to live too!

 

[keesmom]

I suggest that you remove yourself from this toxic situation.

X2. Seems to be the only viable option.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I say show her all these responses maybe you can guilt her into feeding them if she doesn’t come around. Obviously you can’t force her to read but maybe she needs to hear it from more than just one source(you).

I agree with @Henrybelle Our chickens free range all day, but still get fed, fresh water and free choice calcium for the adults, the chicks and young pullets get grower feed and chick grit instead of layer feed like the adults. They also get chicken eatable kitchen scraps. I keep the babies separate for feeding purposes so they can get their food and the adults don't eat it all up before they can get to it. I think you should print all the responses out and give them to her, because in my opinion she did NOT do her proper research before deciding to purchase chicks and IMO that is irresponsible. Especially when it involves another living creature. If she is too cheep or irresponsible to feed her flock, she should not have gotten animals, to take responsibility for animals you must be able to care for them or you shouldn't get them. I don't want to start a feud with your roommate, but I would feed those poor hungry birds before they begin to have problems from malnutrition. I would also offer to take them yourself if she doesn't want the bother of properly caring for them. Sorry for the rant, but you are right, something must be done for these neglected chicks soon.
ETA: I don't care where she grew up, she needs to know she is wrong to starve animals, and that is what she is doing!

 

[Kruchti]

Have you thought about having feed available to them full time. That way they could eat when they want.
I’m glad I don’t have to be around someone who doesn’t want to feed chicks.
She may see the feed out and get upset but then you will not have to sneak feed her chickens.