The Old Folks Home

[Bunnylady]

I have a 70 year old neighbor that I introduced to the joys of keeping chickens. It started when I first moved here and went to my closest neighbors to introduce myself and offer eggs. They loved them and would call when they ran out to see if they could get some more, offering to pay, but I never let them. The husband is the one that built them a pen and bought the first hens he had. They were aged BSL hens that were close to the end of their productive life, had lice, were wormy, and thin.

To make matters worse, he paid too much for them. I helped him get them in good shape, then offered to grow out some younger birds for him. He built me an auto-waterer and doors for my nest boxes. That was several years ago, and the BSLs have since died, but his newer ones are beautiful and healthy. He's a sweet man.

Late yesterday afternoon, he called to ask if I would find someone that wanted his chickens. He has been suffering with back pain and lately it has been debilitating. He needs surgery but no local doctors will attempt it. The wife can't take care of him and the house and the yard and the garden and the dog and the chickens. He knew that I had been getting rid of some of mine and asked if I would re-home his. I went to his house last night and took his 8 hens and 1 rooster off the roost and put them in with my layer flock (no room for quarantine

.) I told them both that I would keep them until they found a doctor and have the surgery, then he can have them back. I also told them that anytime they felt good and wanted to ride over to my place, they could visit with their chickens and bring treats if they wanted.

I hate it for them, they are nice people.

ETA: I also offered to supply them with eggs, again.

That is rotten for your neighbor. I hope he can find someone who can help him with the pain. It's very sweet of you to keep his chickens for him, bless you!

 

[pickitfarm]

I have a 70 year old neighbor that I introduced to the joys of keeping chickens. It started when I first moved here and went to my closest neighbors to introduce myself and offer eggs. They loved them and would call when they ran out to see if they could get some more, offering to pay, but I never let them. The husband is the one that built them a pen and bought the first hens he had. They were aged BSL hens that were close to the end of their productive life, had lice, were wormy, and thin.

To make matters worse, he paid too much for them. I helped him get them in good shape, then offered to grow out some younger birds for him. He built me an auto-waterer and doors for my nest boxes. That was several years ago, and the BSLs have since died, but his newer ones are beautiful and healthy. He's a sweet man.

Late yesterday afternoon, he called to ask if I would find someone that wanted his chickens. He has been suffering with back pain and lately it has been debilitating. He needs surgery but no local doctors will attempt it. The wife can't take care of him and the house and the yard and the garden and the dog and the chickens. He knew that I had been getting rid of some of mine and asked if I would re-home his. I went to his house last night and took his 8 hens and 1 rooster off the roost and put them in with my layer flock (no room for quarantine

.) I told them both that I would keep them until they found a doctor and have the surgery, then he can have them back. I also told them that anytime they felt good and wanted to ride over to my place, they could visit with their chickens and bring treats if they wanted.

I hate it for them, they are nice people.

ETA: I also offered to supply them with eggs, again.

You are so kind Wisher.....you are the definition of a good neighbor. I hope he is able to get better so he can get back to raising his chickens.

 

[ronott1]

I have a 70 year old neighbor that I introduced to the joys of keeping chickens. It started when I first moved here and went to my closest neighbors to introduce myself and offer eggs. They loved them and would call when they ran out to see if they could get some more, offering to pay, but I never let them. The husband is the one that built them a pen and bought the first hens he had. They were aged BSL hens that were close to the end of their productive life, had lice, were wormy, and thin.

To make matters worse, he paid too much for them. I helped him get them in good shape, then offered to grow out some younger birds for him. He built me an auto-waterer and doors for my nest boxes. That was several years ago, and the BSLs have since died, but his newer ones are beautiful and healthy. He's a sweet man.

Late yesterday afternoon, he called to ask if I would find someone that wanted his chickens. He has been suffering with back pain and lately it has been debilitating. He needs surgery but no local doctors will attempt it. The wife can't take care of him and the house and the yard and the garden and the dog and the chickens. He knew that I had been getting rid of some of mine and asked if I would re-home his. I went to his house last night and took his 8 hens and 1 rooster off the roost and put them in with my layer flock (no room for quarantine

.) I told them both that I would keep them until they found a doctor and have the surgery, then he can have them back. I also told them that anytime they felt good and wanted to ride over to my place, they could visit with their chickens and bring treats if they wanted.

I hate it for them, they are nice people.

ETA: I also offered to supply them with eggs, again.

I hope they find a Doctor soon! Is there a teaching hospital near you?

 

[Wisher1000]

There is, UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) but he said the doctors that do the kind of surgery he needs are in Texas and ..... somewhere else far off, I forgot where. I suspect that part of the problem is his current age and poor health. I think the doctors are afraid he won't survive the operation.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

You are so kind Wisher.....you are the definition of a good neighbor. I hope he is able to get better so he can get back to raising his chickens.

x2 wish my neighbor was as sweet.

 

[Pozees]

I think with so much discussion on this forum, and all the typing, it's only a natural progression that lots of things have been abbreviated - i.e. bator, roo, POL, DD, DH. Some of that I refuse to use. Plus, I'm a pretty goo typist. No need for 2 finger pecking here.

I know some folks prefer never to see bator, roo, rooster, lockdown, POL, indeed the list seems to grow as time marches on. In dogs, you are not considered a serious breeder if you do not use the correct term for female dogs, elsewhere you are scolded for using it.

It is a matter of "when in Rome ..." I suppose. Everyone has pet peeves. I used to work for someone who would proof my documents and cross off virtually every occurrence of the word, "that." If I thought it made the sentence harder to read and understand, I would argue with him, otherwise I left it as he wanted it.

I have used sugar, molasses, and poultry vitamins in the water for chicks, all seem to help so I use whatever I have handy. I remember you saying on the NYD hatch thread that you used Agave nectar, is it a more natural product, or more easily absorbed? Or just what you've had the best outcome with?

 

[Cynthia12]

I have a 70 year old neighbor that I introduced to the joys of keeping chickens. It started when I first moved here and went to my closest neighbors to introduce myself and offer eggs. They loved them and would call when they ran out to see if they could get some more, offering to pay, but I never let them. The husband is the one that built them a pen and bought the first hens he had. They were aged BSL hens that were close to the end of their productive life, had lice, were wormy, and thin.

To make matters worse, he paid too much for them. I helped him get them in good shape, then offered to grow out some younger birds for him. He built me an auto-waterer and doors for my nest boxes. That was several years ago, and the BSLs have since died, but his newer ones are beautiful and healthy. He's a sweet man.

Late yesterday afternoon, he called to ask if I would find someone that wanted his chickens. He has been suffering with back pain and lately it has been debilitating. He needs surgery but no local doctors will attempt it. The wife can't take care of him and the house and the yard and the garden and the dog and the chickens. He knew that I had been getting rid of some of mine and asked if I would re-home his. I went to his house last night and took his 8 hens and 1 rooster off the roost and put them in with my layer flock (no room for quarantine

.) I told them both that I would keep them until they found a doctor and have the surgery, then he can have them back. I also told them that anytime they felt good and wanted to ride over to my place, they could visit with their chickens and bring treats if they wanted.

I hate it for them, they are nice people.

ETA: I also offered to supply them with eggs, again.

Oh my goodness Wisher, this is what I call being neighborly! You are so kind to do this. And to invite them over to see their chickens. Makes me smile.

 

[Wisher1000]

Cyn - You chatter-box! Am I the subject of your 10,000th post?

 

[Arielle]

Cyn - You chatter-box! Am I the subject of your 10,000th post?

Counldnot have been a better one !! We need more folks like you WIsher!!

 

[Wisher1000]

Oh, you guys........
(Where's that blushing smiley when I need it?)