Hello chicken/poultry heads!
I may be preaching to the choir, but a recent visit to a farm brought my attention to a practice I had never seen. The guy was grabbing the spurs on both sexes of chickens and with a quick twist snapping them off. I asked him why he was doing this and he said he could tell people they were younger then they really were. He was good at it. No blood. Just a nice little pink small spur left. Then he took a rag with Vaseline(small amount, looked like rag was soaked in it) and wiped their face, comb, wattles and a fast swipe of their feathers. They did really look younger! Needless to say I bought nothing from him, but thought I would tell people to look out for this when buying. The only thing that might give this practice away is the spur twist thing left a little jagged edge where it was twisted. He was taking a bunch to a swap to cull. Just a little FYI
George
Trying to fool people about chickens age.
Thank you for posting that..
All that for what.. a couple of dollars? Geez... people amaze me.
Hello George as i deal with both the public and private sector of these chickens this is a practice that is done more than you realize. I deal with a vast group of breeders and plain old chicken folks and feather traders and you have to watch your back at all times.
I'm known to be honest about my birds and i have been scolded for it as i was told you losein profit.
The practice of selling madeup breeds to folks i recently met a woman who said she had bb reds when i saw them i said no thats a wheaton hen and a bb roo.
So this is not new and i would say watch your back and if you go to look at a certain breed google it first so you know what you are looking at is the real deal.
You know another thing that will impress me with a dealer and make me want their chickens even if higher priced. They make you use antibacterial gel before touching their birds. I won't buy anything without feeling the birds weight, bone structure Etc. Unless It's like when I bought those rescue birds from those mentally challenged brothers. They had good weight and structure, just one had no toes and the other getting ready to lose one! Those are still doing great. They even roost(even the one with no toes) Sometimes I am know for taking in disabled hurt animals. My friends say"if it's 3 legged, blind in one eye or hurt" take it to George.
Good idea hadn't really thought of that gel thing most people that i sell to either don't have chickens or are breeders. I have very few want to test drive a chicken before they buy it LOL.
Just kiddin most just look and say i want that one or some are just amazed at all the colorful chickens.
I had a gentleman sit down and just say is it okay if i just watch them for a little bit.
Well I have learned some hard lessons in the past with critters. Like feeding saw dust to turkeys to make them seem heavier or giving alka seltzer to goats to make them have nice big bellies and tell you they are pregnant. Thank god those sellers don't last long.
My goodness thats a shame i wish people would stop wanting to make a buck and be honest.
I've never had a complaint from anyone before about any of my birds and i give them as much information as i can about them.
I can almost always tell you when they were hatched and generaly can show you the parents.
I think Honesty makes the person. If you are dishonest it will come back to you in a dishonest way. On that note IF you are the honest person it will bless you with good things.
You are so right Luvs i have sold many chickens by word of mouth and that makes me feel good to know people trust me.
Honesty is always the best policy.
I can't believe people would go to such lengths to deceive. I am well aware of it in the car biz, but never thought about it in the chicken biz. Sheesh! Some people's children!