NOT HAPPY NOT HAPPY AT ALL

[starryeyes]

Well Im not happy at all with my feed store. So we moved got land and decided to get chickens. I admit im a city slicker new to farming ect. I have always had huge veg gardens and flower gardens so im not a complete green horn to hard work of the outdoors. I have lived on 100 acres before just never had poultry. so we go to local feedsotre who reasures us we can do this and they would help us get everything we need to get started. So after $$$$ spent we had feeders disinfectent,feed,hay,bedding and we ordered chics. Well mean while price of eggs went up so i got on kijiji and found some ready to lays from a super nice couple who breed pure breds also. We purchased 20+ chickens all very healthy and saw there enviroment super clean and you could tell they love there hens. So got them all set up. About after a week we noticed one had a hurt foot hubby went to feed store she said give antibiotics she said just put in the water with the rest will not hurt them. So we did as we were told . Now i read you are not supossed to eat the eggs of birds treated for 14 days. I also have read info on here on other things we were never told at all I feel like she new we were new to this and why on earth would she not tell us info when she sold us the products. i have on order 50 chics and ducks and turkeys to arrive over the next few months. i am half tempted to cancel and go elsewhere. I just feel like we spent $$$ and were left in the dark. Sorry so long just had to Vent.
Starry

 

[Katy]

A lot of the people who work in feed stores know very little about the products they sell. That's why you need to personally always read the instructions yourself on any medications you chose to use.

 

[SoccerMomof7]

I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I really had rough time getting started, but it was all worth it in the end.

 

[CityClucks]

Sorry about your disappointing experience, starryeyes. I agree with Katy - the feedstor person probably doesn't know all the stuff you're learning here. I grew up with chickens but I never knew half the stuff I've learned here at the BYC site. Now that you've found this site, you could keep buying products from that store but do your own research. So don't give up - sounds to me like you already know more than they do about chickens anyway! I hope you have a wonderful time on your land - your garden plans sound great and good luck with your clucks!

 

[acheeknmanbestfren]

Maybe this is a good opportunity to educate the feed store personnel too - "Say, you mentioned to put the anitbiotic in the water, I was doing a little research, did you know if you do put it in the water you're not supposed to eat the eggs for 14 days?"

Might help someone else down the road

 

[rooster0209]

I can relate to the lack of information from feedstore employees.

I purchased Guineas from a feedstore, after reading about their care on a guinea fowl website. Now I have successfully raised 17 noisy lawn ornaments and I fully enjoy them.

Here is the lack of info: Some friends bought 50 baby guinea's to split between themselves. All 50 died the first two nights. Why? they asked me. Uh, Did you keep them at 95F? No..did I need to?...Yes... Oh, I didnt know that. IDIOTS (not owners, employees) I think feedstore employees should have a handout with guidelines to follow for all new guinea owners-purchasers about what it takes to raise keats to adults.

 

[starryeyes]

What is realy bad is she is the owner been in the biz for 20+ yrs. Well I usually am the read the directions person this was a hubby thing SHHH between you and me LOL.

 

[Oceanseve]

a lot of long time feedstores see nothing wrong with antibiotics or meds of any kind. All locally owned feedstores here thought I was crazy for not wanting any meds in my birds. One even sells purina flock raiser w/ meds in it. It may just mean that is their stance, not that they are trying to mislead you. They probably use those meds with their personal birds and eat w/o even thinking something could come of it.

One feedstore read me the info out of the book about amprolium (sp?) being totally out of their system within 24 hours, but I've read info that says days and some that say you shouldn't feed meatbirds any feed w/ it. so it depends on who you talk to, where you get your info, and your comfort level.

 

[yfchoice]

Our local IFA store...actually both of them...didn't know what DE was. In the garden section of the newer store, the employee told me to go to a pool place to get DE...she had heard of it and knew that the pool DE was good for chickens.
At the newer store, they didn't have my crumbles, but they had the mash. The employee told me that mash and crumbles were the same thing but people "just called them different". I explained, that while they serve the same purpose, they indeed were as different in texture as they would be compared to pellets.
I agree....buy your supplies at your store.....just know what to buy and what it's used for before you walk in.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

When one of mine got a cut on her foot I just used a topical treatment . . . I wonder if that would have been just as effective without the worry. She looked very cute with her bandaid!