They put themselves to bed

[Gramma Judy]

In the swiftly gathering dusk two hens crouched by the open coop door. Nervously, they eyed the lengthening shadows. Free ranging was great during the day, but predators lurked closer at night. Chicken #7 was particularly nervous after her chance encounter the The Dog. If only the coop door had been closed! Her wing had been ripped brutally, and now hung, useless, at her side. There was always the hope that The Woman would return and close the coop door tonight. The chickens glanced around again, then headed for their coop that offered no safety. There was always a chance no predator would seek them out tonight. There was always a chance.

 

[nuthatched]

Nice essay, very dramatic. What do you want exactly?

 

[TheOddOneOut]

So....you don't keep your chickens safe? Great.
Assuming this is a realistic interpretation of your chicken's point of view.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Very tragic. I enjoy your artistic writing, but make sure you are protecting your chickies ...if it is, indeed, a situation that happened to yours. If not, great writing and this can serve as a warning/reminder to all of us to protect our chickens.

 

[Gramma Judy]

Nice essay, very dramatic. What do you want exactly?

World peace.

 

[Battlepants]

Sadly, I feel that this is a call-back to their member introduction post about a neighbor who is badly neglecting their chickens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/at-what-point-does-it-become-abuse.1519655/

@Gramma Judy - Did they ever give up those chickens? Or at least see the errors in their way and start taking care of them?

 

[Gramma Judy]

They are totally defensive.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Sadly, I feel that this is a call-back to their member introduction post about a neighbor who is badly neglecting their chickens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/at-what-point-does-it-become-abuse.1519655/

@Gramma Judy - Did they ever give up those chickens? Or at least see the errors in their way and start taking care of them?

Thanks for pointing this out. I figured it had to be something like this.

@Gramma Judy - where are you located, generally? I know in my state you can report this type of abuse/neglect to law enforcement and they can seize the animals and get them medical attention. I know this because all my hens came from a farm animal sanctuary in Ohio that takes in animals that law enforcement seizes. There are options in other areas as well. And in some states, there are laws that would prevent people with history of neglecting animals from having them again.

I wish you and the chickens the best.

 

[Gramma Judy]

Thanks for pointing this out. I figured it had to be something like this.

@Gramma Judy - where are you located, generally? I know in my state you can report this type of abuse/neglect to law enforcement and they can seize the animals and get them medical attention. I know this because all my hens came from a farm animal sanctuary in Ohio that takes in animals that law enforcement seizes. There are options in other areas as well. And in some states, there are laws that would prevent people with history of neglecting animals from having them again.

I wish you and the chickens the best.

Thank you, Battlepants. I have heard that my county is making a special effort to stop animal abuse. However, when they talk about "animal abuse," they talk about starving horses and dogs. We are talking chickens here. And when I mentioned calling authorities, my landlord said prove it. Since predators have carried away the dead bodies, that might prove problematic. Also, these are my landlords. I have already lost laundry room privileges. I have to be careful.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Thank you, Battlepants. I have heard that my county is making a special effort to stop animal abuse. However, when they talk about "animal abuse," they talk about starving horses and dogs. We are talking chickens here. And when I mentioned calling authorities, my landlord said prove it. Since predators have carried away the dead bodies, that might prove problematic. Also, these are my landlords. I have already lost laundry room privileges. I have to be careful.

That seems like quite the predicament you are in. I'm sorry you have to go through that!

Search "farm animal sanctuary" or "farm animal rescue" and your state's name. You may find one. I honestly think you should still report them if you are able to remain anonymous. Just seeing that hen's broken wing with the open sore says a lot. Also, I think if they tried to evict you for reporting a crime (IF they found out it was you), they would be committing another crime. I know all this is easier said than done, but you do have options.