Buyer Beware 

ChookNet provides the free ad service in good faith and accepts no responsibility for advertisers who may use the service. Where payment is required for goods prior to delivery eg. fertile eggs it is the responsibility of the purchaser to verify the sellers credentials prior to payment of goods at all times.  If you pay for goods advertised and do not receive them please report the matter to the police immediately.

Hoax Ads

Learn to recognize hoax ads.  Is the price too good to be true?  If so then its most likely a hoax.  Is the item advertised not related to poultry eg. mobile phones?  Then its most likely a hoax ad.  If you are not sure of the seller's credentials, then use Paypal to pay for goods.  Paypal have extensive checking procedures in place to verify sellers and although not completely foolproof, provide some added means of protection.

ChookNet Admin 

Poultry and Disease 

This advice is primarily targeting the disease, Chronic Respiratory Disease aka CRD

Unfortunately all too often some breeders are more than happy to knowingly and willingly sell Diseased birds to the unsuspecting. Too often we read or hear about yet another person buying birds (including at some Auctions) only to get them home and discover the Disease. This practice is not only immoral it is also Illegal (Animal Husbandry Act) It is the responsibility of all breeders help prevent the spread of this and any disease. Here are a few quick pointers on what to look for when buying poultry.

1. If the set up of the person you are looking to buy from is: Dirty, Overcrowded, Faeces Smell, Smells of Rodents. Walk away.
2. Check all the birds in and around the cage make sure they are ALL in general good appearance pay particular attention to any discharge from the Beak, Eyes or Sneezing, if any of these are present. Walk away
3. Ask the breeder if he/she vaccinates their birds if not, Walk away, if they claim they do ask for evidence, they should show you the Products used.
4. If you are new to Poultry try to enlist the help of an experienced reparable breeder take he/she along with you for advice.
5. Do some home work on the breeder before you buy, check on Forums & Message boards. New boards in the future may greatly help this process by exposing the ones to avoid at all costs.
6. Closely examine each bird you buy, hold the bird, check the vent area, and feel the breast bone area making sure the bird has body weight. Do not let the breeder put them straight in the box.
7. Quarantine the birds when you get home for 14 days, do not put them in with your existing birds.

I have 30+ years experience in Poultry.

Written by Peter Hall, Backyard Poultry
www.backyardpoultry.com.au

Thankyou to BYP for giving permission to reproduce this article on Poultry and Disease
ChookNet Admin