Did anyone ever try to talk you out of chickens?

[SkyWarrior]

I adopted two Rouen ducks today.

So that means the flock stands at 4 Ameraucana/EEs (I was told they were Ameraucanas by the breeder), 2 EEs, 4 RIR, 4 BO, 2 BR, 2 brown leghorns, 2 GSL, 3 BSL, 1 mystery chick, 1 Toulouse goose, 1 African goose, 1 turkey and 2 Rouen ducks. None, except the ducks have laid eggs yet.

I am almost giggly watching them all. They're so much fun. (I had other most excellent news today too, but it was like the ducks were a gift). Of course, I want my birds to lay eggs, but right now, I'm delighted to have them.

The thing is, everyone told me to not get chickens, from relatives to friends.

They said chickens were dirty, disgusting and stupid creatures. They said it was nasty to process them for meat. They said I would be pecked and they were mean.

I wonder whose chickens they were talking about? I have chickens from 4 weeks to 21 weeks and they're all pretty cool. I have two silly geese and two new ducks. And one fat turkey. And I like them all. (The leghorns are a little flighty, but that's another story). As for processing, I've hunted and gutted deer.

Why are so many people dead set against chickens? Or ducks? Or geese? I really like mine. Has anyone else experienced this anti-chicken behavior?

 

[PureFluff]

No one's really tried to tell me not to. Everyone either has had chickens or can appreciate my idealism about the whole thing. That being said, I'm an outcast in the family anyways so maybe they just expect my insanity.

That doesn't mean I've been met with enthusiasm, and if you think I can get straight answers concerning what I'm allowed to do (not my supplies to make the coop, not my land, etc), you're wrong. I've also been asked how I can raise a chicken when I forget to water my plants (my dog seems to not be dying, however, and is in fact well trained and well taken care of). I get asked why a bit, but no vehement people telling me NO.

I ~was~ fairly against roosters until I did more research on them. I've only run into evil roosters in the past (and limited to what I would now consider bad ownership on the keeper's part) experiences. Now I kind of prefer them, but I haven't even started yet.

Birds are different. They don't seem to have much in the way of logic, they make a mess, etc. Humans do this too, but you know humans...

 

[[email protected]]

most people have seen only horror stories about people with chickens.. ie. "THE NEWS" but when and if they ever meet someone who takes really good care of thier animals... they will see another side of the story.. so guess what....here comes your old budhist saying..."The first one tosee the problem is the first one to fix it!" You may have to be the one to set the example to show others the joy in keeping these birds...the eggs.. the fertalizer and yes even companionship! Good luck.. you may have a tough job infront of you!

Dan Viger
Hollis center, maine.

 

[4 luv of eggs]

I think everyone knew when if I ever moved and had a little land, I'd start my own farmette. I've been here three years now and I've finally started making steps toward that goal. My 79 year old mom spent time around chickens as a child and wasn't suprised at all when I told her what I had gotten. You see, that's what you do. Keep your plans to yourself and just tell them after the fact. If you say what you're thinking about doing, they will try to talk you out of it.

My sister asked what will I do with all the eggs and don't they stink and will I be eating them. My niece was only interested when they were wee peeps. My son said they stink terribly. This is coming from a man that as a child, his room smelled so bad that the door was constantly closed.

My husband just went along with it because that is just how adorable he is.

Now, he tucks them in their coop every night and makes sure everyone gets petted. My dad would have loved it had he still been alive. I miss him.

Do what is in your heart and go with thoughts that won't leave your mind. There are seeds of our personal paths in those ideas.

 

[Tomhusker]

Nobody tried to talk me out of it, but many don't understand it. Some of my old buddies think I have gone soft because I am raising chickens.

 

[Denninmi]

No one can really talk me out of much of anything once I have my mind set to it. My family pretty much has learned they just need to roll with the punches, put all boxes marked "fragile, live eggs" or "live plants" or whatever in a cool place until I get home from work, and ignore me.

Now, years ago, I did get some flack from the immediate family over my obsessive gardening -- they thought I was overplanting and so forth. I finally got mad and asked them if they would prefer if I spent my time and money in bars drinking and picking up women - -that shut them up pretty effectively.

I think most people in general in our society don't have a clue of where their food comes from, and probably have antiquated notions of animal husbandry. And, I think that a lot of attitudes came as a result of societal choices in the past -- for example, the banning of backyard poultry in so many communities probably came about as a result of some legitimate health concerns, but I also how much of it was and still is politically motivated by those who want to keep the population reliant on commercial agribusiness and commercial food processors. Frankenfood, scary. Real food, good.

IMO, if chickens smell, it means you're not taking proper care of them and cleaning the coop enough.

 

[azygous]

Oh yeah! Out here in the rural hinterlands in the foothills of the Colorado plains, of all @#$%^& places, the people here were aghast that I'd be so immoral as to keep chickens that would attract predators, getting the wildlife into trouble.

That's like reasoning that I shouldn't have children because they might attract a child molester and get him into trouble.

Unless there's a local law that forbids chickens, you just ignore those idiots. Chickens are worth it, and then some. They make better friends than some people.

 

[pdxblossom]

My husband tried to talk me out of them. We debated for almost two years about the merits of raising chickens. Then, in a moment of weakness, he said "go ahead if you really want them." The chicks arrived shortly thereafter.

Though he still refers to them as "your" chickens he has been known to stand over the brooder cooing and making chicken noises. Yesterday, he made them a wooden toy to play with and was quite pleased with himself when they actually did. I think they are growing on him.

 

[crawfordmama]

When people found out I was going to do "the chicken thing" they thought I was nuts. But I'm an animal lover, and very patient. Don't get me wrong - I don't think I'm really cut out for a full-blown farm, but this I can handle. If you can handle it, and it makes you happy, do it! They're only truly dirty and stinky if you let them be. And I don't know about yours, but mine have great personalities and are pretty darn smart. Bottom line, chickens are great pets and they earn their keep by providing you with their delicious eggs! What does yor friend's cat do? Plus, it's rewarding to know the source and control the quality of your family's food.

 

[Gypsi]

My ex-husband told me I'd get all roosters, and they'd make a terrible mess, too much work - he would never have allowed me to have chickens. He had trouble allowing me to have a dog. (I took my dogs with me when I left) Youngest daughter wants to know if they are going to eat ALL the grass.

My kids said cool, son-in-laws offered to use up any surplus eggs I might have, but no one would come and help me fix my shed, much less build my coop, so the grandkids and I did it on our own.

I have thinned the friends out and found most to be acquaintances since I moved to my little spot in the country in fall 2001. I don't ask opinions, I do what I want. Neighbors, sisters, think I'm a bit nutty, but that's ok, I think they are. Current male friend thinks it's fine, but while he'll pet the kittens that are waiting for a home, I don't think he'll help clean out the coop.