Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

Good Morning
We sell chicks and have sold ducklings in the past. I'm curious what if any restrictions people use or think should be applied when selling to city people. I just had someone from Mississauga who wanted chicks. Mississauga does not allow chickens. I'm all for backyard chickens even if the antiquated bylaws don't allow them. But common sense is needed.
That said I always ask questions if my gut says they are city people or have little clue what they are getting into. This person planned on keeping them indoors and as the string unfolded told me they want 1 or 2 roosters. They also want 5 or 6 hens and delivery. If I need to deliver how will they get food... As soon as they said "we already have 2 babies" I wondered if they knew what they are getting into. I questioned "babies" and yes they meant chicks. When we sold ducklings we got even more of this. Maybe it's our proximity to Toronto and a large population of city people.
Are chicks and ducklings the new pet to buy like a puppy because it's cute and fluffy? I told this person to do more research and that if bylaws are going to change people need to make sure they don't annoy their neighbours. Quiet breeds and no roosters. We won't be selling to them.
Thoughts?
IHP

You pose a very good question, proximity to a large urban are may make the problem more obvious, but definitely not limited to...
there will always be people who don't see past the "chick / puppy" and asking the right questions as you have done and going with your gut feeling is the best way to go.
I don't sell chicks, only pullets and cockerels and even then there are occasions when all the warning bells go off and it's best to walk away.
Sometime it's worth the effort to print out some basic instructions especially if it looks like they will get their birds one way or another and at least you have given them some basic information, somebody else may not make the effort.

IMO you did the right thing.
I don't feel likes it's your job to make sure people adhere to bylaws. But I do think you do your best to ensure they are getting a decent home...Even if they will eventually be eaten for dinner.
I had chicks for sale on Kijiji once and was contacted by a lady wanting to buy one chick for a house pet. I did not have a rooster living in the house at that time. To be honest I'm not against chickens in the house (to each their own) but I am against a chicken not having a flock of at least a friend. My guy being in the house was never planned and I wouldn't do it on purpose. I didn't sell her a chick even tho I know she had the best intentions and had researched and prepared. It wasnt going to be the best life for the chick IMO.

I never sell a solo chick, unless it's someone I know and know has other birds. I ALWAYS ask what kind of experience they have with chicks and chickens and I like to know where they're coming from. I've refused sales before because of my questions, but I know that people who are like that are more than likely only interested in them as a novelty.

I did have an email last year asking if I had rainbow silkies though. All girls of course, in pink, purple, green and blue. That was a long conversation. In the end the person declined to purchase anything (which i was okay with) but left with a lot more knowledge and a better idea of what owning silkies was like. Perhaps not what they wanted initially, but a better result in the end :)

I've had people wanting to buy from me that set the alarm bells ringing. I don't generally sell birds at all, but the hubby is a chatty guy and I have to field several requests a year. I have found the 'end of life' talk usually send them packing. Most have not given much if any thought to how to handle sick or injured birds, especially when and how to euthanize. Most don't realize that most vets don't treat chickens or ducks, and even if they do, it will cost as much as a cat or dog. Most aren't prepared for things like mites or lice, and the first time they get bugs marching up their arms can take the bloom off the rose pretty fast, if neighbours complaining about noise hasn't.
Most 'city folk' have trouble thinking about taking a bird's head off or giving them away to reptile breeders, and 'the talk' usually gives them pause.

Depends on the people.. in Sarnia, only bantam chickens are allowed to be kept in the city limits. However, I know of people successfully keeping standards.. including a duck!! Im sure bylaw hasn't been by but would they even know the difference? They (the owners) bribe the neighbours with free eggs. I'm all for backyard farming.. I don't know what they do with the manure though. Mine generate so much..

Interesting comments and experiences. I never thought to ask about end of life. The person replied back after I said no so I'll ask that idea anyway. Just for edumucation purposes.
Bantams only in Sarnia. That's funny. Like you said bylaw wouldn't likely know the difference. A composter should be able to handle that little chicken . I doubt there's a restriction on dog sizes...
Have a Great Night

Sarnia has a darn good and respectable poultry bylaw. sure standards would be nice but this bylaw is so old I'd hate to see them update it by removing it. a dozen adult birds, no rooster restrictions and no limits on offspring for 3 months. plus really good standards on how the birds can be kept. other communities should adopt this bylaw, and of course include standards but maybe only 6 hens.

yup I was a city folk once who lived in Sarnia, I had quail and rabbits for about a year before I got bantam RIR and PBR, soon after that we hightailed it outta the city at the first chance we got!

I dont often sell my birds, eggs or anything really but I do believe you did the right thing! lots of great info in this thread.

This post is timely because there are baby chicks, duckling ads on kijiji now saying to hurry up and put your orders in for Easter presents for your children. On the other hand that is how I got started lol, my parents were in a mall and the pet store was selling chicks and ducklings at Easter.

A lady near me who has chickens answered an ad giving away a ready to lay chicken, they said that they got it for a pet but didn't realize how big a chicken would get. When she went to pick it up, she called again to confirm the address because she thought her GPS was bonkers, nope the address was correct, she picked up her ready to lay black sex-link hen from a high rise condo in downtown Ottawa.

Skinny rooster wrote:QR_BBPOST A lady near me who has chickens answered an ad giving away a ready to lay chicken, they said that they got it for a pet but didn't realize how big a chicken would get. When she went to pick it up, she called again to confirm the address because she thought her GPS was bonkers, nope the address was correct, she picked up her ready to lay black sex-link hen from a high rise condo in downtown Ottawa.

I bet there is nothing about chickens in the condo rules