Oh, you guys........
(Where's that blushing smiley when I need it?)
I've used sugar, honey and agave nectar.
Wisher that is so wonderful of you to help them like that! God Bless you! We all need help sometimes and having people like you around makes things much nicer for people like your neighbor.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.
