Dealing With Comments From Those Who Don't Like Animals

[gryeyes]

I let specific chickens into my house. I have a House Silkie who brooded two sets of chicks (3 the first time, 4 right now) and her chicks are from flock eggs I gave her so she didn't lay them. I am not breeding silkies, I just wanted her to be happy. Two other hens are outside during the day but "coop up" inside the house at night. One lays her eggs in the clean laundry bin every day before she goes outside. I keep two roosters and as chicks grow up, the cockerels either get new homes, or are processed by a friend for their table. I know they will be treated well until they are humanely killed, thanked for their sacrifice. The outside flock is comprised of "around" sixty large fowl AND bantam chicken breeds, five geese, four turkeys, 27 Cayuga ducks. I also have two mini-dachshunds (totally love this breed!) and a cat. Oh, and two rabbits, each in their own hutch; one inside and one outside. So, yes, I clean up chicken poop in the house. If this makes people twitch, they don't need to come visit me. I get a lot of comments. Yes, I AM the crazy Chicken Lady. Even close friends have said, "you need to get the chickens out of your house.". Really? Why? Because it makes YOU uncomfortable? "You need to get rid of some of your ducks." True, I should, as I have too high a drake ratio, but... Maybe I will, maybe I won't. It's not easy to catch 'em and I am not a Spring Chicken - I will turn 60 this summer. I don't tell anyone how to run their lives, what makes (you) think you have a say in how I live, raise animals as pets, or sleep nekkid at night? Any of those aren't any of your business. I have responded with "That's kind of personal, did you mean to be rude?" (Said with a smile but pretty obvious I am "surprised" at their comments.)

 

[LovedMyAlydar]

Thanks so much for the comments. My problem is I usually try to let things ride but then I hit a point where I get ticked and sometimes open my mouth before the old brain kicks in. But most times I try to ignore it. Most are family but some are people I thought were friends.

House chickens, lol, I had those till about 3 weeks ago. Coop kept getting sidelined so we would bring them in every night and take them out every morning in totes to their yard. They thought it was perfectly normal. Would ride to and from without hopping out, in fact at night they would lay down in the totes and ride up to the house ready for bed. They are a bit spoiled I suppose. But now they are out full time and enjoy that.

About dachshunds, they are the best aren't they? I grew up with boxers and scotties. Never thought I would like a wiener dog. Hubby had them growing up and convinced me they would be a good fit. Amazingly, he was right. They are the sweetest little ladies.

Again, thanks for the comments. I suppose I know it's futile to argue with folks but sometimes it just gets to me. This morning was one of those days I guess.

Really crazy thing is none of these people live anywhere near me. The closest is probably 15 miles away. Go figure.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Most people comment without knowing the entirety of the circumstances.
I went through an ordinance issue last year and won the battle. However, when sitting at the local bar. someone familiar with the battle but not the circumstances of my plot asked how many chickens I had.
When I told him I had 50, he said "that's excessive". I couldn't explain to him that they were scattered among 6 buildings on the property or that half were chicks. He just imagined 50 hens in a pen on a suburban backyard. You just can't get through to those people.

 

[Bunnylady]

I've always held that you have to live your life in a way that makes sense to you. When it doesn't make sense even to you, that's maybe when you "need" to change things.

For those who feel the need to comment, there's the old standby, "different strokes for different folks," or what I usually do, which is simply smile and say, "we like it." Though for people who are as rude as one relative, who told me I should turn all of my pedigreed, show-winning rabbits loose and let people pay me to come shoot them, simple silence is the best answer. That kind of cruelty/stupidity shouldn't even be rewarded with acknowledgement.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

I don't know Bunnylady, have you considered the majestic head mounts? http://www.etsy.com/listing/16799537/white-rabbit-head-wall-mount

 

[newfoundland]

It never fails to amaze me how some people think it perfectly acceptable to comment negatively on others lifestyle. Since you aren't asking them to bankroll your venture and your animals are well cared for they have no say in the matter! Next time it happens, pull yourself up to your full height, take a deep breath and say, 'How ignorant!'. Turn on your heel and walk away. Never fails!

 

[sandspoultry]

I use the mind over matter approach.


"I don't mind since they don't matter"

 

[KAMama]

I use the mind over matter approach.


"I don't mind since they don't matter"

Love this!!

 

[drumstick diva]

When my patience runs out I abruptly change the topic and drop a bomb at the same time: "Gee I heard your daughter is pregnant - how nice?" Reply is generally coughing/choking noises and then I'll say " oh I'm sorry I was thinking of someone else." Not the nicest thing but, makes me feel lots better and they forget all about the criticism they were aiming at my life.

When I'm feeling kindly I might just smile and say "Do you know the expression "Tend your own garden." Hmm I didn't think so."

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I try not to keep company with people who don't like animals. I really have nothing in common with them anyway!

For the others we can't avoid, I usually just start using big words in response to their criticisms and they generally get bored and walk away. Works like a charm every time.