Family doesn't understand....

[mommato3girls]

Had lunch with my extended family today and was so excited talking about the progress on my chicken coop and run from this weekend. I grew up in a very rural area and we raised pigs growing up so I thought they would get it. They didn't. They picked at me about everything...from the fact that I said I wouldn't eat my hens once they went broody (at least not the silkies), to the fact that I will not let them free range b/c there is a dog across the road that puts them at risk, to the fact that I told them that when I do let them out, i want the bonded enough with me to be easily taken back to run. It really hurt me that my own family would act like that. Oh well, I am just so excited that our coop and run are almost done and I can get my girls!!!!!

 

[nchls school]

Had lunch with my extended family today and was so excited talking about the progress on my chicken coop and run from this weekend. I grew up in a very rural area and we raised pigs growing up so I thought they would get it.  They didn't. They picked at me about everything...from the fact that I said I wouldn't eat my hens once they went broody (at least not the silkies), to the fact that I will not let them free range b/c there is a dog across the road that puts them at risk, to the fact that I told them that when I do let them out, i want the bonded enough with me to be easily taken back to run. It really hurt me that my own family would act like that. Oh well, I am just so excited that our coop and run are almost done and I can get my girls!!!!!

Don't feel alone. My family gave up on me as "nuts" years ago. My wife thinks I'm a bit tetched in the head too. In the long run it balances out; I never understood people sitting around watching other people have fun. Sports-go figure. And the hours the wife talks on the phone... Our differences make the world more interesting.

 

[Percheron chick]

No free eggs for them.

 

[VossFarm]

Family isn't something we can chose or control. They are not friends with common ground you specifically were drawn to because of similar interests. It's sad that they don't support and encourage you in all aspects, even if they can't relate. I wish family were unconditionally supportive. I'm sure some families are. Mine certainly isn't and sounds like yours isn't either. I used to tell my brother in law, who hated my farm, that if the economy ever tanked he could eat his tv, computer and game consoles and I'd live off my eggs, meat and milk and see who had the best hobby all along lol. Hope you can find friends to share your passions with and just shrug off the nay sayers. I don't understand city folks and they don't understand our way of life. I try not to judge but they usually aren't so open minded... Just the way it is.

 

[donrae]

Sorry your family doesn't get it. It's the same for lots of folks here.....they look at us like we're crazy. And maybe you are, but you're my kind of crazy! You've got all of us, and we totally get it

 

[N F C]

Not everyone is excited by or likes the same thing and that's good...otherwise there wouldn't be anything interesting or new left. BYC is perfect for getting your poultry fix, all of us "get it"! Consider us your support group, lol.

 

[LI chickie]

I have a friend like that and every time I say something about how I tend to my chickens he always has to say how he never did that or whatever making my husband think I've gone off the deep end.
All I can say is well I'm not discussing nutrition with someone who thinks Beniful is a good dog food. Who don't walk their dog or cut their dogs nails. Hubby gets my point (I think).

 

[cricketmt]

"chickening" in a semi rural or more residential area is a LOT different than on a farm setting. We had like 50 hens when I was growing up on the farm and my operation now that I'm in a "hobby farm" setting has to be different. There are far more dogs that run loose and cats and other predators than we had.

It's like comparing apples to oranges honestly and I think probably your family just doesn't get that.

 

[srhmchlk]

Every time I step out and head toward my chicken coop, husband says I'm going off to my "other family." And he hassles me about how I must prefer the chickens company to his. It's mostly teasing, but I stopped chicken talking with him. I enjoy sharing the silly or new things they do, but I try to keep it to myself and simply feel satisfied with the chicken things I get to witness, and all the hard work I put into it.

I adore every aspect of my chickens and coop. It's hard to get others to feel the same way.

 

[cricketmt]

Every time I step out and head toward my chicken coop, husband says I'm going off to my "other family." And he hassles me about how I must prefer the chickens company to his. It's mostly teasing, but I stopped chicken talking with him. I enjoy sharing the silly or new things they do, but I try to keep it to myself and simply feel satisfied with the chicken things I get to witness, and all the hard work I put into it.

I adore every aspect of my chickens and coop. It's hard to get others to feel the same way.

I got that at first....my husband was weird about the whole thing and grumbled a lot about building the coop and enclosure. Now he's getting more into it and I've actually caught him hanging out with the 4 hens a few times. lol