What would YOU do?

[turnerstar31]

I would also not give them back. Make sure you do have some documentation of some sort so you can pack up your story. Good luck and hope that was the end of it

 

[mangled]

Thanks guys.

I called the friends who introduced her to us and they have no contact with her at all anymore.

I was speaking to the friend's wife and mentioned BYC, they have chickens, too, and she said, funny you would mention that, (former owner's name) is a member of that site, too.

Sheesh.
Em

 

[okiehen]

This is a tuff thing I'm sure the lady did love her chickens and it was tuff for her to give them up.

As you know now that you love them as well.

Offer to give her some hatching eggs from them.
She gets chicks from chickens that she had before and you keep your chickens.

I hope this works out, best of luck to you and your chickens.

 

[JimnJanet]

Hi Em, i personaly would just give 'em back and move on. I understand yer cost and time 'nat but it can in no way measure up to all the trouble that could possibly come of this. Not to mention the ukkies a situation like this can put in ones heart.
Spring is in the air, at least down here south o' yinz, lol , and it is a good time to go and git yerself some new birds and begin again.
Heck girl, Janet and i would be happy to give yinz a couple o' good layin hens so yinz will still have a few eggs till some new birds git to layin.
That gal has to live with herslef and answer later on.
Keep a happy heart and jist give 'em back and move on.
Yinz er gonna need some room fer yer pheasants anywho...

Jim

 

[eggzettera]

Guess I am bit of a wuss......but I think there is enough conflict in the world that we do not need this kind of thing...I would compromise with her, give here back all the roo's and 1/2 the hens, that way you can go get some day olds & have a staggered age flock (when they get older they start laying less & this could be a blessing in disguise) that way both of you can have eggs immediately & have an excuse to go buy more... just a thought.

 

[coffeemama]

Get your reciepts together-food, medication, housing, vet, ect. This way you can show that you have been caring for them. How rediculous-she should just get over it and get more chickens! I had to rehome my cat during a divorce, and I didn't go back and try to snatch him once I was on my feet again. Some poeple!!

 

[speckledhen]

She used you, period. Seven months of food, housing and proper care cost you a few $$$. She doesn't get to come take them back just because she feels better now. If you want to keep them, I feel they are yours. If you want to contemplate letting her have any of them back, she owes you money for their room and board for seven months.

 

[mangled]

Thanks, Cynthia. I'm glad you weighed in on this.

I just don't think giving them back is the right thing. The more I find out about her as I am making calls this afternoon, the more I think it's a better idea.

Our good friend is a contractor, and he called to chat with my husband this afternoon, and since he's at work, I chatted with him instead and ended up telling him about the situation.

The lady who wants her chickens back has charges pending against her. She owes our contractor friend $3800.00 and is being charged with passing bad checks and line fraud (???). I guess it's a matter of waiting for the magistrate to issue the warrant.

What a mess.
My signature line says it all.
Em

 

[Frizzledhen]

Let's see here, 28 weeks, $10 per week per bird for feed and care, times 19 birds = $5,320.00
Write up the bill and give it to her. If she pays it give her the birds. If she doesn't, the birds are yours. Make her give you a bill of sale on the birds and you can mark her bill as paid in full.
Seems simple to me.

 

[AussieSharon]

wow what a nerve! I wouldn't give them back to her. Sounds like she is a dishonest nutcase! You've loved them and cared for them and the financial side too. I would LOCK up the chicken coop at night or any time you have to leave your home for a while.

Blows my mind how someone can "give" something away and 7 months later expect it back at no cost to them. Sorry you are going through this. Definately let the police know what is going on.