A lot of people spend money on their flock where they don’t need to. For those of us who see birds primarily for what they provide; eggs, meat, paying a hatchery or a breeder for a uniform flock might not be a priority. Some people don’t have the time, space or inclination to raise birds from babies. It is a lot of work, and for many people, it means raising chickens in the house. Maybe you’re starting a homestead, don’t really have the electricity for a 24-7 heat lamp, and you want eggs now, not next year. Maybe its for the kids, and all that matters is they’re chickens. Whatever the case, there are a lot of reasons one might consider picking up someone else’s used chicken.
While the prospect might at first seem intimidating, it can work rather well for all involved. You will save money; someone else has already put in the time and money to raise them. That they are already a flock is helpful as well. The former owner is better off, because chickens are of course wonderful, and there must be a very compelling reason they have to want to be rid of them. And the birds are better off as well, as the life of an unwanted is an uncertain one. Buying a used chicken helps keeps hens off the street!
With A bit of situational awareness and know-how, you can pick out trouble-free birds at affordable prices, or even free in a wide variety of places. The internet is full of local enthusiast boards, Facebook pages, websites, and of course, Craigslist, where you can find a used chicken at discount prices!
Today on the show we’ll share our tips and experiences buying used birds. How it can go well, and not-so-well. We’ll also discuss some common chicken keeper issues, of course talk about parasites, and maybe do some yodeling.
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