Why Do People Buy Live Chicks From Breeders and Farm Stores‭?

Pics
Incubating chicks is, in my opinion, worth it if you have your own stock strains and have the ability to cut out the middle man hatcheries. Other than that why not get hatched chicks? Too many variables involving incubating someone elses eggs. Especially paid for eggs. If they are my hens eggs then its worth it.
 
Last edited:
I agree that the egg and meat industry is horrifying. The planet’s population (approaching 8 billion) doesn’t allow every family to live in a rural area and be self-sustaining. That’s where industry comes in to meet the demand. Perhaps, we could eliminate the demand by eliminating a few billion humans so the animals of the world could live in peace! Well unfortunately, that’s not likely. So what’s a realistic solution
questionmark.gif


Improvement in humane industry and hatchery practices take time:
https://www.collective-evolution.co...-in-us-will-stop-culling-male-chicks-by-2020/
and may not ever reach an acceptable standard.

Most people of the world support these industries by buying the products they offer, because we all need groceries. So how can individuals at least lighten the load and achieve a more sustainable lifestyle?

I have extensively researched homesteading and "green" living. Even though my family is currently bound to the suburbs, we’re saving and making plans to acquire some acreage in the future. But in the meantime, we’d still like to incorporate many earth friendly practices in our daily lives. Gardening, recycling and raising chickens are but a few practical and feasible options in my neighborhood.

I buy chicks from the feed store, because the likelihood (not absolute fact) that they are disease-free and will have a long productive life for my needs is much higher than that of rescuing ex battery hens or other unwanted chickens. I applaud and respect other people who have the means do so! I also do not have the space for an effective quarantine to add new adult flock members. I know my limitations.

Yes, the chicks I purchase have suffered a terrible day or two. But their lives (like many other chicks) are not destined for the dreadful conditions of egg/broiler production farms. Would you rather that these “backyard” hatcheries cease operation in preference of expanding the need for commercial egg and meat production? In other words… eliminate the prospect of backyard poultry in exchange for exclusively store-bought products?
It seems a matter of choosing a lesser evil.
 
Back to your book writing venture...

For some reason I feel compelled to help, I don’t know why, because I normally hate people. :lau (My husband and I joke that it’s a wonder we even met and liked each other enough to get married!) I guess it’s because… like you, I always have the animal’s best interest at heart, so find it necessary to try to communicate with and understand people to achieve my goal.

I’ve even been known to enjoy playing the devil’s advocate… not to cause trouble, but there’s something about expressing an opposing viewpoint that somehow helps me to see my own truth, and perhaps others too.

The stories about the chickens here, the core of the book, need to emotionally engage the reader. Some seem to work better than others, but I don’t know what the key is.
Your writing, while quite interesting, can be a bit long-winded and tedious to read. Have you heard of James Herriot? He was a mid-century English veterinarian and his stories are lovely and engaging, based on a lifetime of observations and the relationships between people and animals. I loved reading all his books as a kid, (and after having my own child I wish to instill the love of animals) I finally purchased several hard copies to revisit those beloved stories myself and hand down to my daughter. Maybe you could adopt some of his writing techniques?

Humor is a powerful attractant, though sometimes British jokes can be lost on Americans (ie. Monty Python). It’s possible that some offended ones here just don’t get your comedy, myself included until you mentioned using regional humor. So I see it now! Mostly, I think some people want to justify their actions or might see fault in any other methods different from their own. But a few scoundrels shouldn’t warrant condemning everyone. I think you’re very tolerant and capable of seeing the big picture.

I don’t want to sound imperious, but you should go back and reread this thread from the beginning with an open mind. Some really fantastic points are made by @townchicks @MissChick@dee (before she got miffed) @lomine @1cock2hens and so many other insightful perspectives, all worthy of consideration.

The common agreement seems to be that every situation is different and no method of chicken keeping is infallible. That’s why most of us visit this site… to learn, receive support and find ways to be better caretakers. Oh, and to share the joy we find in our feathery friends!
 
Back to your book writing venture...

For some reason I feel compelled to help, I don’t know why, because I normally hate people. :lau (My husband and I joke that it’s a wonder we even met and liked each other enough to get married!) I guess it’s because… like you, I always have the animal’s best interest at heart, so find it necessary to try to communicate with and understand people to achieve my goal.

I’ve even been known to enjoy playing the devil’s advocate… not to cause trouble, but there’s something about expressing an opposing viewpoint that somehow helps me to see my own truth, and perhaps others too.


Your writing, while quite interesting, can be a bit long-winded and tedious to read. Have you heard of James Herriot? He was a mid-century English veterinarian and his stories are lovely and engaging, based on a lifetime of observations and the relationships between people and animals. I loved reading all his books as a kid, (and after having my own child I wish to instill the love of animals) I finally purchased several hard copies to revisit those beloved stories myself and hand down to my daughter. Maybe you could adopt some of his writing techniques?

Humor is a powerful attractant, though sometimes British jokes can be lost on Americans (ie. Monty Python). It’s possible that some offended ones here just don’t get your comedy, myself included until you mentioned using regional humor. So I see it now! Mostly, I think some people want to justify their actions or might see fault in any other methods different from their own. But a few scoundrels shouldn’t warrant condemning everyone. I think you’re very tolerant and capable of seeing the big picture.

I don’t want to sound imperious, but you should go back and reread this thread from the beginning with an open mind. Some really fantastic points are made by @townchicks @MissChick@dee (before she got miffed) @lomine @1cock2hens and so many other insightful perspectives, all worthy of consideration.

The common agreement seems to be that every situation is different and no method of chicken keeping is infallible. That’s why most of us visit this site… to learn, receive support and find ways to be better caretakers. Oh, and to share the joy we find in our feathery friends!
James herriot is massively popular here in UK. There is a series on TV at the moment called 'The Yorkshire vet'. It is about his surgery which still operates today. He is from Harrogate, about an hour north from me! And they treat chickens which is a rarity over here!
 
James herriot is massively popular here in UK. There is a series on TV at the moment called 'The Yorkshire vet'. It is about his surgery which still operates today. He is from Harrogate, about an hour north from me! And they treat chickens which is a rarity over here!
Wow, that is so awesome!
He's my favorite author of all time!! His books were the only ones I've had to put down so I could finish sobbing and try to dry my eyes enough to see words and keep reading, then the next page I'm laughing hysterically out loud. Wish I could see the tv series.
 
Wow, that is so awesome!
He's my favorite author of all time!! His books were the only ones I've had to put down so I could finish sobbing and try to dry my eyes enough to see words and keep reading, then the next page I'm laughing hysterically out loud. Wish I could see the tv series.
It's on ITV. If you can download the ITV player you should be able to watch it. There's nothing like watching someone helping a ewe birth whilst having your dinner!
 
It's on ITV. If you can download the ITV player you should be able to watch it. There's nothing like watching someone helping a ewe birth whilst having your dinner!
:lau

You need a DNS proxy or VPN (very few work well) to fool ITV that you are in the UK, but it's a good watch for sure. I remember the TV series from the early 80's - every Sunday evening was something to look forward to :)
 
It's on ITV. If you can download the ITV player you should be able to watch it. There's nothing like watching someone helping a ewe birth whilst having your dinner!
:gigSounds delectable!

I googled it and I might be able to buy some episodes off Amazon.

Oops...
offtopic-1.gif

Sorry everyone.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom