Why is it...

[Fourgirlsoneboy]

(Feel free to move this if its not in the correct place) That some people get upset when I tell them they can't come to our house to 'check out' our set up? I am happy to take pics of our coop and our yard/woods, but I don't want people I don't know tromping through my yard for many reasons (biosecurity, plain old security), plus we live in a private community (I am pretty sure we own the cheapest house and it wasn't cheap!!) out in the boonies. If I have birds for sale, I am happy to meet people about 20 minutes from where I live in a neutral location (also a 'real' town- well, not incorperated but it has three gas stations!). Do you think I'm parinoid?

 

[noodleroo]

These days, not at all. I think it is the only way to go; meet at a public place. Much safer for you and for your livestock!

 

[Imp]

Yes, you are paranoid with good reason.
There is no reason you need to let strangers onto your property, for any reason. And meeting them in a public place is just common sense.

Imp

 

[drumstick diva]

Sad but, true - nowadays you have to be concerned with the health & safety issues to your birds AND to your family. I sure am not the trusting person I used to be. What you are doing is just good sense all around. If people are seriously put off by it, you are probably dodging a bullet by not giving in to them.

 

[justbugged]

You are certainly within your rights to not invite everyone and their uncle to your home. Some may think that they can a better feeling for how the bird was being cared for. With breeding dogs, I invite people to my home to meet the whole family of puppies and prove that I am not a puppy mill. When I meet people away from their homes or set up there is always the worry that the person that I am dealing with is some type of animal mill. Unethical breeders never invite people to see their set ups. So this could be in play. I can usually get a feel for what is going on by talking to a person. But there have been a time or two when I was mad at myself for taking a animal that wasn't bred or raised well. I know that there are other reasons for not wanting people to see ones home, and if it makes you uncomfortable, don't invite them over. If they get upset then it may not be the best place for your birds. I have no problem hanging up the phone if I need to. If they are that upset, then the rules of etiquette stop, and I have no problem ending things. I will not engage with people when they are being nasty.

 

[Fourgirlsoneboy]

Quote:
Yes, see that's what I was wondering- that why I am happy to send pics (which I guess could be faked? I don't know), but we love our birds- they are all really pets

lol!

We've never bred any other animals before our birds, its a learning process for us. But our birds have 7 acres to play on and a large coop as well. The will come and sit on your lap and talk to you (dh doesn't appreciate that quite as much as the kids). We've only bought one adult bird (worried about that, turned out fine- but we won't do it again) and hatched out 90% of everyone else!

I once had a lady ask if my daughters could teach hers about chicken care, and I agreed until she told me they bought a sick flock and almost all had died in the previous month! Then I pointed her to this website and explained that they couldn't come to our house (and we wouldn't go to theirs). My dh did think I was parinoid then, but I still don't think so. And we have very healthy birds (so far)!! Anyway, I do understand people wanting to make sure we take good care of our animals

!

 

[dawg53]

I agree with all the responses here as well. I'm happy that you practice bio-security. I've read many disheartening stories here about others losing their flocks big or small, to very simple mistakes that could've been easily prevented. Keep up the paranoia, it works lol!

 

[Mattemma]

I had people coming over for craiglist sales of large kids items.I hated having them over. I think people are to naive about the goodness of others. AND disease really is a big issue.Just stick by your policy. I am DONE having people over.