Convincing Mom to Get Chickens: Part 2

[NewClucky]

Thanks

What are SA terms?? £300 is rounded to the nearest 100 pounds

The actual cost as i've worked it out is £267.23!

NewClucky

 

[MareeZoCool]

You could give your mom the taste test! cook up some scrambled eggs from your dad's hens, then cook some using store-purchased eggs. The taste & color might convince your mom to raise some egg layers with you.

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Ha! Good idea but I seriously doubt she would try any eggs at all...even though those substitute liquid eggs have egg white in them, so it's pretty much the same.

She thinks eggs are nasty (especially when she asked "What if the rooster mates with the hens and they lay the eggs?" and I explained that it makes them viable to hatch, and she thinks that's wrong to eat a fertile egg and it's gross, apparently...

) and when I made some deviled eggs, she wouldn't even try them! But my stepfather did and he loves eggs. That's one of the big reasons he's interested in getting some chickens I think.

 

[77horses]

UPDATE: OK so my mom's birthday was today and my stepfather got her a nice gardening book about composting, greenhouse, etc. to help with building the greenhouse. Well, there was a little chapter about how ducks are the best backyard companion because they are less noisy than chickens, they don't scratch and fight like chickens, and they are well-behaved. And they also produce more eggs, which are tastier and larger and they lay them at a steady rate. Well for one, chickens aren't that noisy (if you don't count in roosters), they don't fight that often (again, if you don't count in roosters), and they are usually well-behaved as well. Sure, duck eggs are bigger than chicken eggs, but I really don't see much difference.

Except I have barely any experience with ducks so I have no idea...I think I'll ask some questions in the duck forum (there is one, right?) because my stepfather suggested getting ducks instead of chickens. Which would be interesting...I'm sure I could learn to love ducks as much as I love chickens, right?

Anyone here raise any ducks?

 

[sianara]

Quote:
YES!!! You could learn to love ducks as much as chickens

I have both and many more chickens than ducks but I have to say I enjoy the ducks overall more than the chickens. Their personalities are more pronounced than the chickens are. They are messier than chickens but if you create the best set up to begin with you'd be alright.

The duck forum is pretty active so take a waddle over there and look around AND post some questions. You'll get lots of responses.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I haven't read the whole thread, but here's my thoughts.

She obviously has some emotions from her youth and being around chickens. That's going to be hard for her to overcome. Maybe start off with small steps and ask if you can be in 4H for poultry and show a hen or 2? Or have your dad sign you up, then she will be exposed to it, but in a small amount?

 

[77horses]

UPDATE: Guess what?! We're getting chickens!!!!!!!!

Well, at least both my stepfather and mom said that I can keep Ivory, my 97 day old rooser, here and we're building a coop this weekend!!! Although I won't be here because I'll be at my dad's house, so they'll be working on it while I'm gone for the weekend. And I'm paying for the cost of supplies, etc. which is fine with me because I have saved up a bunch of money from allowances, Christmas, birthday money, etc.

They asked me if I could get them some plans for a small chicken coop and I showed them a bunch on BYC!

So since Ivory can stay here, it means we will most likely be getting a few hens for him because, obviously, he can't be all alone. I think we may be getting some rescue battery hens this month.

YAY!!!! I'm so excited!!!

 

[77horses]

Ivory, my young house-rooster, is excited too because this means he'll have his own coop and his own small flock of hens! Although they may be battery hens, which aren't the prettiest hens out there because of their poor condition (

Poor hens!), but I'm sure he doesn't mind! Both him and them will have to get use to each other eventually.

I'm so excited to see the coop when I get back this weekend! I'll be sure to post pictures!!

 

[HensHaven]

Congratulations!!!!!
Battery hens are okay once you take care of them they will become just as pretty.
Good for you.

 

[sianara]

Congrats to you! I'm so happy for you

One word of caution, it is advisable to quarantine the battery hens (or any hens) when bringing them into your "flock" for 30 days. This way you are able to watch them first before mixing them in with Ivory (who I assume is white?

). Also, it will give them a chance to amp up their vitamins and nutrition before having to submit to breeding by Ivory. By the time they are all set, he will be ready to breed

Glad to share in your joy