I hear yah on the feed store issue... I certainly don't want to put a stop to stores selling chicks, but I do think that a little *positive* pressure never hurts. People tend to have two speeds: IN YOUR FACE MAD or mad and sneak away about such things. When I go into a pet store that sells dogs or cats, I make a point of picking up about 50 items, dumping them on the counter as if to buy, then,when going back for "one more thing" I "spy" the puppy mill pups and then come back and say CALMLY and KINDLY that I do not support pet stores that sell puppy mill puppies (and, FACT: ALL pet stores sell puppy mill puppies whether they come from local or Kansas...) This way you let the owner SEE the financial impact their choice makes. So, with this feed store, you could kindly tell them that you were GOING to buy several chicks and some feed, but that you are concerned at the conditions and prefer to buy at a feedstore where the chicks are less crowded.
You may think you are only one voice, but if SEVERAL people say this, they may get to thinking. Be the change you want to be.
As to "pet breeders" being puppy mills; my definition (after spending 20+ years euthanizing (average) about 15 dogs and cats/puppies kittens a day at the shelter) is rather broader than some... I consider the word "milling" to mean (as it does) "producing animals for resale". The breeders which I respect breed for themselves, and place the extra dogs in appropriate homes. Now, this doesn't mean "breeding her so the kids can experience the miracle of life" (while opting out for the "miracle of euthanazia)
or breeding because "everyone just loves her and wants one just like her" (yeah, get deposits on that first!) or other BYB reasons. I consider producing a dog a HUGE responsibility - to other people and to the dog and even to the breed. Will the breed be better off for these pups? Will the neighborhood? Will the pup live a long, happy life?
I truly understand that everyone has to start somewhere, and I did to. But because of my respect for dogs I DID, even as a kid, take the time to research medical issues in my breed and get appropriate health tests. This is why I feel so strongly that "pet" breeders should leave breeding to so called "professionals" who understand health testing, etc. Your average little "fad" dog running around today has hideous knee problems (I guess I am sensitive to this as I have had knee structure problems all my life and it ain't fun!) but dogs are so stoic and amazing about pain, most people don't even realize it. Their knees pop in and out and hey, who really cares, right? (I do!)
You have to forgive my feelings on this issue, because, like I said, I had to hold as many as 20 wonderful dogs a dog, day after day and kill them, because some "dog lover" wanted to breed a litter and had no idea what they were doing. It makes you a bit cynical.
The good news is, for those who do breed (and I have had a few litters myself over the years, though I never sold to the public) you can (and SHOULD!) get all pups MICROCHIPPED before you sell them. This way, when and if the pup ends up dumped on CL, or at the UW animal research lab, or whatever, you can be notified. As an animal control officer, I can tell you nothing is more exciting than finding a chip on an animal! It means "someone cared!"
One last word and then I SWEAR I'll quit!
PLEASE DO NOT think that poor temperament is caused by bad owners. Just as your one pup was very unsound mentally (and yes, SHOULD have been euthanized) so do other people experience the same thing in other litters. Genetics control temperament and it is tough to ruin a well bred dog and easy to ruin a poorly bred dog. I just raised a litter of 7 miniature pinscher pups from birth for Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue and obviously ALL the pups were loved and treated the same. Half the litter were spooks, and two of the pups were genetically VERY shy. I would have culled them had they been mine. At least they were spayed and neutered BEFORE being placed.
OK, the Dog Lady will shut up now!
Back to chickens!!!!!
