I agree that people need to be knowledgable and responsible for the animals they take into their care. In fact, I also raise and breed Mini Rex rabbits. I do not breed and sell at Easter time because I do not want people getting them just as a "Hey, it is cute. Let's get it." kind of thing. I actually spend close to an hour going over everything I think a person needs to know, give them my number and tell them to call if they have ANY questions about them. When I sell chickens, I will do the same. I live near Rochester, MN and there was just an article in a nearby paper about Rochester and Mankato and keeping backyard chickens. It is good publicity also. I got a number of breeds going and intent to help fill the need for urban/in-town chickens as well and provide coops for those who want them. The article also included the specs for the coops. The reason I got so many breeds was because I want to offer variety to people who want just a few chickens but can't order 25.
But all that being said, I still ask all the questions about their knowledge, recommend books that give good info about starting out with chickens and so forth.
As for the unwanted rooster rehoming issue, my dinner plate is a good place for those guys. I got no problem with that.
I don't think this is so much a fad as many people are seeing that they need to find some way to be more sustainable. This is a fairly easy step in the right direction: Grow your own garden, raise your own chickens, compost using your chicken waste and house waste, heck, get a worm bed and really do some composting. These are things that anyone with a backyard can do to help themselves and the environment be healthier. It shouldn't just be a fad, but a way of life.
Then there was the comment about feral chickens, it happens. We don't see them here in the north so much, but I know in warmer parts of the country, it happens where people lose or let go their chickens. As long as they do not become invasive and carry any disease, they are a healthy addition in limited numbers. But then we might end up with problems like the Muscovies who are now being controlled because they have become invasive in some areas due to feral flocks which were the result of people letting them loose.
The bottom line to all of it is that you cannot mandate intelligence. Some people just won't have it regarding animals. It is sad, but there will be those who won't take good care of their chickens. There are people who don't take good care of their kids, but you don't need a license for that either. Overall, I think this is a wonderful thing that is happening.
And Rob & Crew, this is an awesome website!! Thank you for having the foresight and willingness to get it started for all of us who share in this interest. You have done a good thing - even if you weren't on Martha's show
