How do I convince my parents to get me baby chicks?

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

Hello! This is my first post. I have a question. I want to get baby chicks (again, I've had them 2 times), but my parents won't let me anymore. They say we have small backyard space, and that it's not enough for them to roam around and peck the ground (we have a small area in our BACKYARD, but there's a quite big area right next to our house that they can also roam around in). They also say that it can be a problem to our neighbors (it kind of is, last time we had baby chicks, they went in the neighbors' garden and pecked their flowers). What can I do to convince them to get me baby chicks? Be aware, I've already asked them MANY times, and they said no. They're going to be a tough one to crack. I can't do the PowerPoint idea, already tried but today they told me a firm and definite "No." so I don't think the PowerPoint idea will work. What do I do to convince them to get me the chicks, that they have enough space, that they won't bother the neighbors, and that I'm capable of taking care of them (yet again)?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Since you have experience, get started by first building a space that will keep the birds from encroaching on neighbor's property. Good fences make good neighbors.
If you don't have the material, make the plans and explain what it will cost and how it will make you more responsible.
It's always best to have the housing for both containment and predator protection well in advance of having the birds.
Good luck to you. If it doesn't happen now, you still have a long life ahead and plenty of more opportunities.
Think about how much free time you'll have if you don't have chickens.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I agree with chicken canoe. Also what monthly feed, maintenance and medical costs will be.
I also like scenarios. If the chickens get mites this is what's used to treat them and their house. Or a hen is egg bound, this is what I need to do. Planning ahead!

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

Start by telling them how you will pay for the coop, run, food, and supplies for the chickens. Then tell them you will get up early enough before school to check on the chickens and make sure they have food and fresh, clean water, and that you will be back home after school directly to check on them. Promise to spend extra time a few times a week to make sure their coop is clean. And finally, show your parents a weekly schedule showing how you will be taking full responsibility for all these chores. Assure them that the chickens will be kept inside the coop and run, secured by proper fencing so they can't run over to the neighbors yard.

Good luck! What happened to the chickens you had before?

 

[aart]

 

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

Start by telling them how you will pay for the coop, run, food, and supplies for the chickens. Then tell them you will get up early enough before school to check on the chickens and make sure they have food and fresh, clean water, and that you will be back home after school directly to check on them. Promise to spend extra time a few times a week to make sure their coop is clean. And finally, show your parents a weekly schedule showing how you will be taking full responsibility for all these chores. Assure them that the chickens will be kept inside the coop and run, secured by proper fencing so they can't run over to the neighbors yard.

Good luck! What happened to the chickens you had before?

 

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

Start by telling them how you will pay for the coop, run, food, and supplies for the chickens. Then tell them you will get up early enough before school to check on the chickens and make sure they have food and fresh, clean water, and that you will be back home after school directly to check on them. Promise to spend extra time a few times a week to make sure their coop is clean. And finally, show your parents a weekly schedule showing how you will be taking full responsibility for all these chores. Assure them that the chickens will be kept inside the coop and run, secured by proper fencing so they can't run over to the neighbors yard.

Good luck! What happened to the chickens you had before?

Thanks! I will try this. What happened before was that they escaped from their coop and I guess they roamed too far, because when I went to check up on them, they weren't there. We looked around the whole neighborhood and they were nowhere to be found. I think someone took them, though, because they would at least be somewhere nearby pecking the ground (that was their favorite thing to do). I do find it strange that BOTH times they suddenly disappeared.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Maybe add predator proofing too.

My birds are super friendly but I can't just go pick one up that's running loose in the yard.

 

[ValerieJ]

Thanks! I will try this. What happened before was that they escaped from their coop and I guess they roamed too far, because when I went to check up on them, they weren't there. We looked around the whole neighborhood and they were nowhere to be found. I think someone took them, though, because they would at least be somewhere nearby pecking the ground (that was their favorite thing to do). I do find it strange that BOTH times they suddenly disappeared.

I find that strange too. Did you see excess feathers somewhere? I'm sure it was a predator, just not sure if it was animal, bird or human. So sorry for your loss. That's hard. Good luck.

 

[Mimi13]

I am going to be the poster you’d rather not hear from. Most times our parents know best and we need to abide by their decisions. They are able to see the “bigger” picture where maybe you are not able to yet. IMHO I also suspect that they have picked up on clues that you are not quite yet responsible enough to singlehandedly care for living things.

I would continue to work and do things around the house, yard, etc. that show your parents you are becoming a more responsible person. Chickens do take a lot of time and money if you raise them as pets and raise them correctly. Since you do not live on a farm where farm chores are already a given, I would suggest you spend these next few years experiencing life. Like @ChickenCanoe said, you still have a long life ahead. In the meantime, if you are really serious and committed to keeping chickens, do all the research you possibly can do about chicken raising, illnesses, feeding, housing, euthanasia, and so forth. Get a little side job and save every dime you can, even if you don’t need to. There will come a time you’ll be thankful you did all the research and I suspect there will come a time when you’ll be thankful your parents said “No.”