Im in agreeance that impulse buying will cause big problems and
have rescued a few who have been bought as cute pets in local marts
etc and then become "boring". However, I do think that such places
as the Domestic Fowl Trust should be more common, where people can
learn about chickens, buy exactly what they need to care for and
house them, buy their own chickens and get an after care service
too. Kind of like a "chicken store", but with education and morals.
I have no problem with good pet stores selling chickens, provided
that they do not allow birds to be sold without the appropriate
housing, feeding, information etc and that at least some form of
aftercare is offered or as with a pet store I worked at a
"re-adoption scheme" where buyers may return their animals or hand
in unwanted animals if they cannot care for them where they are
then rehomed and not culled etc. I worked for many years at a very
large pet super store. Our way of thinking was that a buyer must
buy their animal the following -
- housing
- food
- water and feed containers
- bedding
- some form of entertainment eg treats or toys etc
- means of exercise
- and a book on the animal they wished to keep
We also clearly outlined the cost of all they would need and
an average cost in feed, bedding and extras for their pet for a
year. This usually sent the impulse buyers packing!
We would not sell to anyone who did not buy the accessories or
could not provide proof they had either knowlege, prevoius
experience or appropriate housing. We also offered starter packs
which included all of the above. We also provided leaflets,
questionaires, and and adoption scheme where unwanted animals were
taken in and cared for and eventually re-homed. This applied for
any animals even those not purchased at the store. We also provided
"pet workshops" which were events held at our store, we invited
local charities and breed sociteies to come and talk about specific
animals and their needs. We also did kids "pet shop tours" where we
showed children how to care for animals correctly and to respect
them.
I think this sort of pet retail is responsible and good for poultry
keeping as a hobby.
