a moral dilemma

[Ginmary]

Give him some eggs from the market. Put them in the nest boxes and have him come with you to collect.....

 

[Shadrach]

I live in Spain. I'm an immigrant here. I'm very grateful that I am allowed to live here and I try to respect the culture and the people who live here.
The Spanish were keeping chickens before the British stopped painting their faces blue and rolling around in the mud and before America even existed as a Nation.
The OP has made public her moral dilemma so I feel free to comment.
I posted earlier regarding my reservations about deciding moral conduct through what is basically an Internet poll.
Reading through the thread Shamo Hybrid suggests deception by giving this old man eggs that are known to be infertile. The OP, who is apparently concerned about moral issues, thinks this is a great idea. There is something deeply wrong here. Lying to and deceiving the old man isn't the behavior I would expect from someone who implies they are concerned about a moral standard.
Add to this, the OP belief that the old mans way of keeping chickens is somehow abhorrent and her belief she knows better and I can begin to understand why the OP is looking for guidance on moral issues.
Other posters have also suggested ways avoiding telling this old man the truth showing a complete disregard for honesty and respect for the old man.
Call me old fashioned, call me what you want, but all those posters who have suggested lies and deceit are probably not the best advisors on moral issues.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

^^ I don't see 'white lies' as being soo wrong if it's done for the good, in this case to avoid friction between two parties.

 

[dalasgalas]

Your eggs, your property. You don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with.

Let him go to the tractor store and spend $9.17 on half a dozen pullets like the rest of us.

 

[sourland]

^^ I don't see 'white lies' as being soo wrong if it's done for the good, in this case to avoid friction between two parties.

A lie is a lie - plain and simple. There is no grading system for lying.

 

[Shadrach]

^^ I don't see 'white lies' as being soo wrong if it's done for the good, in this case to avoid friction between two parties.

Let me explain it to you then.
The old Spanish man wants fertile eggs. I think it's safe to assume he intends to hatch them.
He may have a broody hen, or plan to do it by some other means. Say it's a broody hen. She will sit on those eggs maybe for the full term both her and the old man hoping for chicks. That's at least 21 days of expectation that will inevitably result in disappointment.
The old man will probably reaise at some point that the eggs were not fertile. what does he do now; complian? And then what? The OP is more or less forced into the position of telling another lie. The old man will probably suspect.
Sure, great diplomacy and way to avoid conflict with your neighbor.

 

[BabyGirl2]

I don't like giving my chickens to anyone I know will be mean to them or won't care for them, that includes the babies. I never considered the eggs because they are given with intention of eating them. However, I know several elderly people who were raised on farms, or during the depression and they see chickens and ducks and other animals as a source of food not pets. This guy may have the same view their food and not pets. I probably wouldn't give him any of my eggs or chickens for the thought they'd not receive the care and attention I'd give them.
But this is your choice, you have to do what you will be able to live with.

 

[MochaDuck]

Since your asking for opinions, I don't think you should give him the chicks. If he refuses to take care of them, then he shouldn't have them. If you do plan on keeping your eggs for yourself (whether for food or hatching) then you can honestly tell him that you intend to keep them.

 

[MROO]

Best bet is to simply tell your neighbor that you aren't comfortable sharing hatching eggs. Give him the best reason - not a trumped-up excuse, a real reason - you can live with. Personally, I'd tell him - flat out - that "I'm a bit silly over my chickens. To me, they are more pets than livestock." If you shrug it off as a fault of your own, instead of the fault of his chicken-keeping practices, he may just share a chuckle with you and accept your off-kilter (in his eyes, anyway) logic. You could even offer to help him find chicks - and be sure to follow through on the offer.

@Shadrach is right on a very important point. You don't want the worry of keeping a judgmental secret for what could be a very long time - time that you will spend constantly worrying about being found out. It's sure to taint your "neighborly" relationship. And if it's discovered, "tainted" may not be a strong enough description.

Whatever you decide, you're the one who has to live next door to this man. There is no such thing as "The Perfect Neighbor." Everyone has their own idiosyncrasies. If this is the worst issue you have with an otherwise good neighbor, it's worth handling in a way that keeps you both friendly - and not covering up deceptions for years to come.

Good Luck!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Just tell him sorry, no, I'd rather my chickens-to-be went to owners who value them as pets, not livestock, and leave it at that.

'Scuse me. Not sure if I'm reading your post wrong? I very well could be. But whether you value your animals as pets or livestock should have nothing to do with whether you feed and shelter them.