Please Tell Us... What Would You Do?

[BWKatz]

I am so sorry u are going thru this. Unfortunately there will always be people like this. My husband & I have found over the years that God will take care of the judging and punishments...and always more than anything we would have done. We just do the best we can and treat others like we want to be treated. No, I am not a pushover but if you can't prove anything, it's best to let it go. I do pray that you can resolve this in ur best interest. Cudoos to u for sharing the name so others will be wary.

 

[redhen]

What is the name of the hatchery?

 

[Boring Farm]

When they were released into our coop, all of the other hens were out and the hatch was closed. YES... I can prove these were their hens because of my neighbor witnessed the whole thing as well as my wife.

Our Veterinarian came over one day to document and verify the information I relayed to them regarding health & habits of their... or whoever's hens, that were quarantined. During this time we watched two of the aggressively eat an egg another hen just laid which verified my claim. Unless I spend another $150 for testing, I won't know what they have. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED!

 

[Whispering Winds]

Can you contact the BBB and see if there has been any other reports on this hatchery. I am so sorry for your troubles. What a tragedy. Just makes your blood boil doesn't it when you buy in good faith and then have them tell you its YOUR fault.

 

[wildeflowers]

That's just awful and the main reason I decided to just go ahead and order day old chicks that I can raise myself and quarantine easily.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I think you should pursue it as much as your psychological health can handle, and I am glad you stated the name of the operation. (It's not slander if it's true, which you can tell then guy when he threatens to sue you, DUH!)

I do agree if you don't have the birds tested, you need to cull, bury and start over. Even if you do test, you may have to do that anyway. Definitely report them to the BBB.

 

[Ceilismom]

I do not yet have any chickens, and I'm quite new here, so maybe these are stupid questions, but here goes:

Can you call/do you have a state poultry inspector?
Can you send some of the dead birds to your state university for free/low cost testing?
Can you prove without a doubt that you perfectly followed all reasonable/necessary quarantine procedures with the new birds?
Can you prove (beyond just your and your neighbor's word) that the sick birds are the ones you got from this seller?


The e-mail responses sound to me like this seller has had this type of issues before. And gotten away with it. They don't sound sympathetic or helpful, but rather defensive and threatening.

I'm sorry that this has happened to you. I hope that you can take some comfort in knowing that by sharing your experience, you have saved others from dealing with the same thing in future.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Start by contacting your State veterinarian. A friend of mine lost some young birds, contacted the vet, and sent birds to him to be tested. He did preliminary testing on them, then forwarded the specimens to the laboratory in WA. There was no cost involved.
Document, document, document. I'm so sorry for your woes... this is not going to be easy, but be persistent. Be calm, and document everything.

 

[Boring Farm]

Good Questions and replies. I have been keeping detailed records the second day this all started with costs.

TATLOCK FARMS is the Hatchery.

I have understated the position and took every precaution possible. BUT... they were loose in my main coop where they (Tatlock Farms) released them. Again, I did round them all up and transfer them immediately after and put them in my isolation pen. I then finished power washing the coop including wiping down the nesting boxes with a light solution of bleach and water, turned on the propane heater with fans until everything dried out. The hatch was closed off so my hens could not enter while all this was going on.

The VET said the damage was done the moment they stepped on the property because who knows where they were before they came on my 10 acre farm.

 

[Afrochicken]

wow. i will never buy from that hatchery. those people are sikkos

sorry for your lost chickens

 

[mypicklebird]

You are in Oregon? I googled Tatlock farms...
Here is Oregon's poultry extension:
http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/poultry
here is your state lab:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/AHID/animal_health/lab_main.shtml

It looks like you have a good state lab, and fees look reasonable. If your vet has not already done so, I would suggest sending in a whole bird for necropsy and testing. Find out for sure what you are dealing with. Some states, for small farms & backyard flocks- necropsies are free. I am not sure for your state, but call places and ask...