probably wrong place to ask but people wanting to bring kids to see our farm

[reveriereptile]

Why do people think it is appropriate to "tour" some one else's home? Next time they get pushy say, "ok, but afterwards I want to come over and view all your nicknacks"

I have to agree about needing to see their nicknacks.

 

[Texokie1]

Playing the devil's advocate (and also looking at it from someone who never really got out to a farm until I was in college), I really can understand the inclination folks have to want to tour the farm. I mean, back in the day, if I had been buying animals from you, I would have considered your farm the equivalent to a pet store. You’d never walk into a pet store, stop at the counter, and just have them bring you a puppy/hamster/etc. from the back. You’d want to see how the animal was treated, see the parents (if on site), watch their interactions with their siblings, and pick out the ones you want from the entire bunch. I think the biggest problem is the separation most folks have from farms nowadays. The best thing for it isn’t getting ticked off at these folks, but explaining that biosecurity is a serious concern...and an introduced pathogen can threaten your livelihood. Sorry, but I don’t see the connection between them wanting to see your farm (which IS a business...albeit a home business...providing a product for sale) and asking to tour their home. At the end of the day, they are your client...and just as a car manufacturer isn’t likely to let you on to the assembly floor just because you are planning on buying one of their cars, you have to educate these folks to understand the reasons behind your refusal......IMO... (I'm basing this on my experience the first time I started work at a swine production unit...they put me in the farrowing crates, and I thought it was the most barbaric thing I'd ever seen...until someone took the time to EXPLAIN the reasons behind removing needle teeth, docking tails, etc.)

 

[FlaRocky]

​

Hello,

I have horses and 2 years ago I shut down the farm as a breeding and sales farm. Canceled the 2,000,000. dollar liability farm policy I had to have. Was costing over $7,000. a year in additional insurance. I now keep the gate padlocked at all times, even when home. People would look up the address on the internet and come out anyway the leave the gate open. When I have people come out to buy it is by appointment only. And I always have an appointment I have to go to to get them moving, not trying to hang out all day for my farm to be the entertainment of the day.

I also make EVERYONE sign a release that also has the words that ( Entering the farm may result in death or injury to said signed person or persons you are guardian of.) I know harsh but I try to cover myself, my animals, and property.

Have had people say Oh' You have guard dogs!!!! And I tell them they are here to slow you down till I can get the shotgun and finish you off.... They laugh and I tell them I'm serious... I DON' T JOKE ABOUT GUNS AND USING THEM. If I have to pull one I will use it. Was taught by Daddy don't ever pull one unless you are prepared to use it. I AM....


MAYE

 

[chickenzoo]

I understand both sides. I miss showing people who never seen some of these animals all about them. Peoplw are somewhat different than they use to be in away. Also insurance is hard to come buy and most make it hard to have with farm animals. I do however explain biosecuritu issues to buyers and for birds i meet them down the road. Larhe animals i have them come to the farm but no one goes back with the animals.

 

[chickened]

I do see both sides; as a buyer you want to see where your animal comes from and that is natural. I ask a lot of questions of a person before I let their bird on my place and then it is quarantined at length and may very well never see but one hen. People I know who do or used to let strangers on their place all tell me horror stories about diseases.

I routinely ask if a seller has ever treated a bird. That tells me a lot and I spiderweb out from that answer with followup question. I cannot tell you how many farms I have been to with sick birds over the years. If someone is that dependant on income from their birds as to not cull a sick bird or carrier then what other corner will they cut? I have thousands invested in my birds and quite simply I just tell people no and sometimes I will tell them why they cannot visit the farm. Most understand and the ones that don't and go off in a huff I quite frankly do not want their business.

Another reason is having good insurance is a target for trial lawyers.

 

[HeatherLynn]

I don't mind showing someone but if I say a certain day is bad, then its bad. Lets set up a time thats better. This ended up being part of their fathers day weekend plan and on short notice. I responded sorry, Saturday is not good for us we will be busy doing hay all day, if its a good time for you we can meet at another time. No response till a week later saying never mind they went and bought babies instead. They just thought it would be a fun trip for their family weekend. I agree it would be fun and if it was scheduled ahead of time it would have been fine. I pulled my ad and will just do swaps or whatever. I don't expect more of others than I would be willing to do myself. Not everyone is like that.