Putting Your Chickens (and other critters) in Your Will

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i debated where to post this, either here or Random Ramblings. But thought, it really is a flock management issue.

i recently had a health scare and ended up in the hospital. My poor husband was left to tend our critters (chickens, ducks, geese, and dwarf goats) by himself. He wasn't happy about it, and immediately wanted me to reduce our flock by at least 50%. Thankfully, turned out i was okay. But i worried, what would happen if i became physically unable to care for our animals, or worse yet, died. My husband tolerates our animals, at best. And when i mentioned that he would probably just call a friend of mine to haul them all off, he nodded 'yes".

i hate the thought of my beloved animals crated off to parts unknown, if something happens to me. So thinking i should put in writing what my wishes are. Has anyone else done this? Or do you have spoken agreements with friends or family on what happens to your chickens, ducks, geese, or other pets if you can no longer care for them? Just curious.

 

[bobbi-j]

You can put anything in writing that you want, but realistically, that doesn't mean your wishes will be followed. If it were me, I'd ask trusted friends if they'd take them if need be. If your husband "tolerates them at best", he's not going to give them the care that you would, anyway, if you were no longer around.

 

[donrae]

You can put anything in writing that you want, but realistically, that doesn't mean your wishes will be followed. If it were me, I'd ask trusted friends if they'd take them if need be. If your husband "tolerates them at best", he's not going to give them the care that you would, anyway, if you were no longer around.

I agree. You can say what you want, but he will do whatever he wants.
I'd start working now on having a back up available to care for your animals, just in case. You can always set up with friends, etc to take them permanently if you're unable.

 

[canesisters]

You're not saying that you'd expect him to care for them when he doesn't want - or even like them? Are you?

 

[Nicole01]

My chickens are for the kids and I. If something happened to me, I do think my hubby would keep them around for the kids. If something happened to both of us, our flock would be rehomed.

When I was in the hospital for 5 nights, my hubby took care of the flock. I do have step by step written instructions, which I need to modify inside the pantry door taped up. Special birds get special treatment.

I keep adding to our flock, but my husband does not mind because I'm the one who does 100% of the care. I only have 11 in my flock right now.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

You're not saying that you'd expect him to care for them when he doesn't want - or even like them? Are you?

Oh no, that's not my intention. i know for a fact that, if i pass first, near about every animal would be gone toot sweet. i'm just thinking, that it would be good to get some instructions in place to make that transition easier. i've talked to him about my feelings and intentions. But know he wouldn't remember anything when the time came.

i'm thinking that having one or several friends in agreement to help with rehoming would help. Then instructions (or guidance) for them, knowing they may not be able to accommodate all my wishes. Like, i have 7 separate chicken pens, some with just 2 or 3 chickens in them, the largest group is 10. It just so evolved to have them separate as i couldn't stand the pecking order. So i would hate for someone to just come and put them all together for rehoming. They would peck each other to death before they got loaded on a truck.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

My chickens are for the kids and I. If something happened to me, I do think my hubby would keep them around for the kids. If something happened to both of us, our flock would be rehomed.
When I was in the hospital for 5 nights, my hubby took care of the flock. I do have step by step written instructions, which I need to modify inside the pantry door taped up. Special birds get special treatment.

I keep adding to our flock, but my husband does not mind because I'm the one who does 100% of the care. I only have 11 in my flock right now.

i have 41 chickens (two standard size, the rest bantam), 10 ducks, 10 geese, 3 Nigerian Dwarf goats, and three cats. i think my husband would be inclined to keep the three goats. Although he has no idea about shots or worming - i keep track of that. He would probably keep our cats. But he honestly wouldn't be able to handle the work involved with the rest.

That's a great idea keeping instructions in an easy to reach spot. i have detailed instructions for our pet sitter. But until i was unexpectedly plunked in the hospital, didn't think to keep them handy for my husband or whomever to find.

 

[Life is Good!]

Yes, our box turtles are in our will with a designated 'caretaker', much like we would designate someone specific for our children. The turtles are projected to live 70-80yrs....so we know they might outlive us! Yes, we spoke with the individual who would 'receive' them and verify periodically they are still into turtles. Thus far, so good!

As for our flock, I'd not thought of including them into instructions. Because it's a rotating thing (meat birds and various layers), I think I'll include a written suggestion of how to disperse a flock into the will documents.

Specific care instructions for all our critters is written up (typed actually, easy for me to update!) and filed in the information for our pet sitter. That way, if we take an unanticipated trip, it's there for her and I don't stress about forgetting critical information. She also has a copy of the document in our file - I know, she showed me when we hadn't hired her in a year. She loves it and created a static form for other customers to use!

Nope, you're not alone in this sentiment. Boy Scout motto - "Be Prepared" - we live that!