This is so sad...

[cafarmgirl]

If you do decide to adopt out again, I would insist on talking with all the adults in the home and requiring that every member that lives in the home have a chance to meet the bird before adoption. I used to work in an animal shelter and this was standard procedure for us.

We asked that everyone in the home visit so that we could see for ourselves that everyone is on the same page where the needs of the animals are concerned.
I'm sorry this happened. That poor kid will never forget that.

I would also make sure that they are aware of what chicks need to survive. The chick may have been noisy because it was lonely suddenly being away from it's brooder mates and may have been cold as well if they did not have a heat lamp. I think hatching chicks in the classroom is a great idea, sending chicks home with students.... not so much. Many parents give in to a child's begging with no real idea of how to care for a chick properly and, sad to say, many view it as "just a chick". Live or die, doesn't matter very much to them. Chicks also should not be adopted out alone, at least not in my opinion.

The only way I would adopt out chicks from a classroom hatch is if parents made the time and effort to come to a classroom meeting well ahead of time to learn about chick care and what equipment they need to raise chicks, as well as to find out whether they even have plans for housing and caring for adult chickens or can even have chickens where they live.

Very rotten situation for this boy. Dad sounds like a real..... well I can't say it here.

 

[misskeeter]

Just a chick? oye.

No, this behaviour was irresponsible and cruel.


That is so sad. I also read the mum works at the school so your in a spot, i just cannot comprehend how this guy would think a lone chick would be ok outside, let alone with adding a dog to the mix. A single chick just does not make that much noise, i should know noise i have a macaw and a pionus parrot and have 5 budgies in my house, you wanna talk noise?? That doesn't even cover the dogs or the teenagers.

I am not sure contacting authorities would lend much help, it's hard to prove and frankly putting a child as the gateway to what proof there is wouldn't likely bode well. I am again so sorry. Your heart was in the right place.

a PIONUS???

I have a Blue Headed Pionus. Her name is Piper. She's actually pretty quiet. Now I know macaws and budgies... lol..

 

[misskeeter]

I would also make sure that they are aware of what chicks need to survive. The chick may have been noisy because it was lonely suddenly being away from it's brooder mates and may have been cold as well if they did not have a heat lamp. I think hatching chicks in the classroom is a great idea, sending chicks home with students.... not so much. Many parents give in to a child's begging with no real idea of how to care for a chick properly and, sad to say, many view it as "just a chick". Live or die, doesn't matter very much to them. Chicks also should not be adopted out alone, at least not in my opinion.

The only way I would adopt out chicks from a classroom hatch is if parents made the time and effort to come to a classroom meeting well ahead of time to learn about chick care and what equipment they need to raise chicks, as well as to find out whether they even have plans for housing and caring for adult chickens or can even have chickens where they live.

Very rotten situation for this boy. Dad sounds like a real..... well I can't say it here.

I actually spoke with all of the parents at length about chick needs, etc... I turned down a couple of parents because I didn't feel they were really committed. The ONLY reason I went ahead with this one is because I work with the mom and she PROMISED me... and the chick was only supposed to stay with them for a few days before going to the farm that has the chickens...

I actually made all of the other students take home two so there wouldn't be one lonely. I sent home information, and even made them buy a book on chicken keeping... I only had one take chicks home last year, and was surprised when I had so many want chicks this year...

One of the moms actually called me today to tell me how their family chicks were doing. I've gotten pictures of beautiful coops that will be the chickens' homes. I just really made a mistake by not saying no to this one when I questioned it. If it hadn't been someone I work with, I would have said no.

 

[Going Quackers]

a PIONUS???

I have a Blue Headed Pionus. Her name is Piper. She's actually pretty quiet. Now I know macaws and budgies... lol..

I think the macaw has corrupted it lol Ours is a maximillian named sierra.

 

[misskeeter]

I think the macaw has corrupted it lol Ours is a maximillian named sierra.

lol.... They are really good learners, so I could see that.

I love her because she is so chill about everything. Just kind of hangs out. I sing her the "night night" song when I turn out her full spectrum light each evening. She always rushes down to grab a snack to take back to her sleeping perch to eat before she goes to sleep. LOL..

 

[Going Quackers]

I actually spoke with all of the parents at length about chick needs, etc... I turned down a couple of parents because I didn't feel they were really committed. The ONLY reason I went ahead with this one is because I work with the mom and she PROMISED me... and the chick was only supposed to stay with them for a few days before going to the farm that has the chickens...

I actually made all of the other students take home two so there wouldn't be one lonely. I sent home information, and even made them buy a book on chicken keeping... I only had one take chicks home last year, and was surprised when I had so many want chicks this year...

One of the moms actually called me today to tell me how their family chicks were doing. I've gotten pictures of beautiful coops that will be the chickens' homes. I just really made a mistake by not saying no to this one when I questioned it. If it hadn't been someone I work with, I would have said no.

I truly think you did all you could, your not psychic. I doubt you could have anticipated such disregard for it's safety.

 

[Going Quackers]

lol.... They are really good learners, so I could see that.

I love her because she is so chill about everything. Just kind of hangs out. I sing her the "night night" song when I turn out her full spectrum light each evening. She always rushes down to grab a snack to take back to her sleeping perch to eat before she goes to sleep. LOL..

LOL... the macaw has it's crazy times of cawing so that probably encourages noise in general, a few of the budgies are english style so i think the larger size makes them louder.

 

[misskeeter]

I truly think you did all you could, your not psychic. I doubt you could have anticipated such disregard for it's safety.

That's true... I never would have thought that.

I am really glad I've got three other families who are providing wonderful and loving forever homes. That's three new chicken keepers that never would have considered it if it weren't for my classroom hatch.

And those are/will be some SPOILED chickens... I've got one dad who is a policeman that has actually slept on the floor next to the brooder because the chicks were "lonely" their first night home. LOL... I didn't even do that when I brought mine home last year... Now mine did sit on my lap and watch tv with me for several hours each night until they moved outside.

 

[misskeeter]

LOL... the macaw has it's crazy times of cawing so that probably encourages noise in general, a few of the budgies are english style so i think the larger size makes them louder.

This family that took the chick actually has a macaw now that I think of it... a scarlet macaw... The mom loves it, but the kiddo told me the dad complains about the noise all the time...

I just now remembered that... (he told me that a LONG time ago)

 

[schnebbles]

aww, that is sad. The poor child too, to have wanted the chick and have that happen. People are just idiots with animals.