Report a Scam

There are two steps you can do to report a scam on Chooknet:

First: Report the scam to Chooknet send email to admin at chooknet dot com dot au with details of the scam. Please provide as much information as you can and include a link to the scam ad so we can see what it says.  It would be even better if you sent an email to the scammers to request information about their product for sale, and send us a copy of that email.  Our email address is admin at chooknet dot com dot au

Second: Click here to report a scam directly to the ACCC who will take the necessary action to apprehend the culprit!  If you do this second step as well,  let us know your postal address and if the item is a genuine scam (does that make sense?) we will send you a fridge magnet as a thankyou for helping to keep Chooknet scam-safe.

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.

NEW! Forum Topic for Good and Bad Seller feedback click here to see latest comments

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

Check Your Seller's Reputation

If you are buying something for the first time it's a good idea to do some research and find out some information about the seller.  Although the majority of sellers on Chooknet are genuine and reliable, unfortunately these days you still need to be cautious and do some homework beforehand.

The forums are a great way to research your seller before you part with your hard-earned cash.  I recommend that you post a message on the Chooknet Forum, and on the Backyard Poultry forum to find out if the seller has a good reputation.  You will soon find out either way.  You will soon receive many replies either to congratulate the seller on their customer service, or to report a bad incident!

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