Garden centre chickens /fail

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Bickerton

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Went to visit a local garden centre, generally it's a really great place, they sell small animals too all of which are always in good condition.

That was until Iwent ooutside to see the chicken, the girls were generally healthy looking but most of them were drenched in purple spray due to what appears to be feather pecking, one of them has a huge bald spot.

I assume they just add one after another to the run as they sell thus causing the pecking order etc to always be upset.

Will post up a few pics when I get home as at the stables the data signal is dire.
 
This is 3 different girl's

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Was a few others and one spotless white one
 
That's dreadful, isn't it? I would be inclined to report them to the RSPCA. Obviously storing up a lot of problems for the unwary people who might buy them, I can't imagine anyone who knew anything about keeping.chickens would want them, except out of pity. How much were they?
It might have been interesting to pretend you were thinking of buying some, asking some basic questions, and seeing what you were told.
Did they have suitable food, water and shelter?
 
Yeah they runs are fine, good quality etc, even had dust baths. Was straw floors so wasn't amazingly clean, good space too as I said generally their animals are in great shape. I last time I went their birds were fine too. They were about £31 per.
 
Started the ball rolling with an email.


Hi, i visited your centre today. As I went round I went outside to see the chickens as keep them myself. I was very disappointed with the condition of the chickens on display. They were covered in purple anti septic spray due to what I assume was feather pecking but this will just stop infection not the cause. One of them had a horrific bald patch on her back (photo attached) could you please let me know as to what action you intend to take to stop this becoming worse please as their current situation is tantamount to neglect, the injured birds should be segregated immediately. The other animals you have as always seem to be in great shape so the condition of the chickens came as such a surprise .

Any feedback on this matter is greatly appreciated
 
Better than contacting the RSPCA as they are hopeless when it comes to chickens and they should be given a chance to put things right.. Purple spray doesn't really work on feather pecking as it is not bitter enough. Anti peck spray is messy but it does the job it's intended for if used properly. £31 !! £37.50 and you could buy three hybrid POL from me !
 
The only pullets I know about that are even pricier are Burford Browns, which are £35 at 12 weeks and £40 at 16 weeks. See http://www.legbarsofbroadway.co.uk/buy%20hens/
I suppose that if you were into showing, and buying stock from genuine championship standard parents, one might have to pay that sort of price for a top- quality young bird from a private breeder. But £31 for a tatty and stressed pullet from a garden centre is just profiteering, because anyone who knew the first thing about chickens would realise that wasn't how to get them. I wonder how many people get carried away and make an impulse buy of birds they have little or no idea how to care for?
Could you tell what breeds they were, Bickerton? Was there any information on their pen?
 
There were a few cards on the cages.

Bluebell. Sussex, legbar and a few others but only had these and the white ones in that run.

It's a place called melbicks, generally as said their animals are in great condition.
 
Selling small baby fluffies is one thing, I know they too have their own special needs, but I don't think these are as complex or as demanding of space, time, initial equipment etc. as chickens. Evidently from what you say the pullets aren't being properly looked after before they are sold, so not too much hope for them when they arrive in an inexperienced new home.
 
Sounds like the White one is a feather pecker. Probably a White Star, which, I have heard, are noted for it. A long time poultry keeper of my acquaintance said they were the best layers he had ever had and huge eggs, but they spent most of their time in the isolation cage to stop them pecking each other to death.

He kept them for only one season and hasn't bought any more.
 
Got a reply, hope they do sort it out or stop selling them.

Dear Mr Taylor,

Thank you for your e-mail. We do appreciate the feedback as this helps to
improve our service and standards. The chickens were segregated initially to
resolve the issues. Following this the chickens have been segregated further
and the situation is being monitored.

Kind Regards
Roy Whitehouse
 
Well that's positive, and it does look like they have reflected on your comments.

It really is not ideal selling chickens in a garden centre, even the most docile of breeds would be stressed by that environment unless very well managed :(
 
They are in an outer part in reasonably good sized run, but there is a roof over the top of the area, be in translucent itt's still a little darker than they would probably like. Yup it'sa ppositive reply, hope they manage to sort them out as would be a big black mark on an otherwise awesome place.

I think they may have jumped on the chicken bandwagon to keep up with the game.
 
I liked it In the olden days when garden centres sold plants, seeds, bulbs, tools, and everything else you needed for your garden and allotment. Nowadays they're full of conservatory furniture from January to August, at which point Christmas arrives and the place becomes infested with artificial trees, decorations and scented candles. Never mind the hens and other creatures!
Keep u the good work, Bickerton. Will you be able to check in a week or two to see what's happening to the pullets?
 
Yup, 20 mins away. Will pop up in a few weeks and hope they're still there and and healed. If they aren't there I'll think the worst
 
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