My feathery neighbours

[Sue]

Hi
There are some chicken just moved onto the next-door allotment and when I was there on Saturday, their water and food containers had blown over and no-one visited to feed them all day.
Surely they have to be fed and watered daily? I didn't want to interfere and it's impossible to get in the home-made enclosure without one getting out so couldn't do much, except did manage to stick a watering can through the wire to put some water in the overturned bucket.
Poor little things, the door to their coop had blown open too, so they were going to get very little shelter as well.
I left when it was nearly dark so hope they got some attention on Sunday.
Sue

[madderbat]

Hi
There are some chicken just moved onto the next-door allotment and when I was there on Saturday, their water and food containers had blown over and no-one visited to feed them all day.
Poor little things, the door to their coop had blown open too, so they were going to get very little shelter as well.

Can you let the Secretary know? or is it a case for the RSPCA?

[Sue]

Madderbat
I don't think the Sec will do anything, there are some others up the end of the allotment that have inadequate fencing and get a fair amount of fox damage - had a poor headless chicken on the plot once. That chicken run has been like it for over a year now.
Also the man who owns the chickens near me is a nice enough bloke and it's difficult to start making trouble, only been there a year and a bit.
Thought I might offer to feed them when I'm there " to save him coming to the allotment specially"???
I'd love to have chickens myself but haven't done because I can't get up there everyday.
Sue

[Digger-07]

Sounds like a good plan Sue, you might even be treated to some eggs especially if he thinks you are keeping an eye out for him.

[Crazy Chickie]

It is difficult to know what to say/do when you see animals being treated in a way that you're not sure is best. You did the right thing giving them fresh water though. If you're friendly with the owners you could maybe show lots of interest and offer to help out, dropping the odd hint along the way. A stone or brick in the water container will help prevent the chickens from knocking it over.
My chooks get fed in the morning and at night, plus any scraps through the day. Food and water is provided inside their shed to help keep the little birds out of it, and they get locked up at night time and let out in the morning so they are protected from any preditors. But the way I look after my chooks is nither the only nor the best way. Like I said its difficult to know what to do in cases like this, just keep an eye out for the chooks and hope the owners have some books and are learning on the job.

[Alice]

I would report it to the SPCA, Sue. They will respect your anonymity and visit the owners. Some people are not deliberately cruel, whatever it looks like to us. They are just ignorant of an animals needs. The SPCA will point out these needs to them, and just the fact they have been visited will smarten up their ideas, even if there is nothing the SPCA can do. I would make that call. What happens when you're not there.

[CountryFayre]

It could be that the owner had been up in the morning and perhaps had gone out until after dark. I would be wary before judging. A friend of mine used to get slated terribly for not visiting to her horse at DIY livery (it was out at grass). The truth of it was that she used to be at the yard at 5am ride feed and be gone again by the time others got there at 7am.

I would just comment next time you see him that the water had been knocked over and you filled it up the best you could, but didn't like to open the pen in case of letting them out. Whilst chatting generally you could always ask if they are allowed tit bits!

Then just keep an eye out for a bit.

[madderbat]

That's a valid point Country fayre. Sometimes appearances are deceptive and it can be all too easy to judge others. It is hard though to see creatures apparently suffering and not know what to do. Hope things resolve themselves Sue.

[yoanbob]

glad you gave them water.
we let ours out between 6 am and 10 am depending on our shifts, they free feed outside all day, we dont mind the mice and birds helping themselves as it keeps them away from the crops. then we try to visit late afternoon with corn or lettuce, and to check/change water but dont allways make it, then we shut them in after dark, mostly just after dark but somtimes quite late, I would offer to check on them when your around and see what response you get.
last year our chooks and ducks had terrible diaohrea turns out a neighbour was giving them way too much bread, all at once, now she leaves her stale bread in a bag on the gate, (and her veg peelings for the compost) so we can make sure they get their treat without it upsetting their tummys.
somtimes just having a chat will clear up how things are being done.
we somtimes find the lid of the hopper has blown off especially when the wind has been really bad, they wont starve in half a day they have grass and worms and slugs, but they do need water, have a chat and see how it goes.