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

[Cryss]

I could tell that they didn't want them around (at least in THEIR yard),

It is THEIR yard.

 

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

Did you ave a coop and run?
Please answer the questions I and other members have asked.
We're trying to help but can't without good info.

No, they didn't have a coop, but we did make a space for them with lots of joined baskets (I was still inexperienced back then, this was like way back at the beginning). I did realize that we needed a coop and a run, but my parents wanted them to be loose. I didn't like that idea, but my parents helped a lot in maintaining the chickens (and they also had chickens themselves when they were young, both of my parents), so I thought that maybe they could be right since they had more experience than me.

 

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

It is THEIR yard.

I know they have all their right to have their yard chicken-free, that's why I want to buy (or maybe build) a coop and run. It bothers everyone, and they shouldn't have to be dealing with my pets.

 

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

This is definitely what I was thinking, being a parent. OP already stated chicken raising went wrong twice. Parents arent confident OP can handle it and probably afraid of making bad neighbor award.

My mom would give me chicks, she's all for it, but the problem is space and neighbors. But in another country (that we visit every year, and many family members live there) we have a large space where we plan to build a cabin AND have chicks. There are no neighbors, lots of space, and when we leave, caring family members that will accept taking care of the chickens. I won't be able to tame the chickens (since I go there once a year), and that's what I wanted to do: build a bond with one. There are much, much more predators there, but it's very common to have chickens in that country, so there's lots of experienced people (it's my mom's home country, and she has lots of experience since she grew up with having chickens). There's also enough space that she bought in the calm country-side in order to build a secure coop and run. Hopefully they do better there.

 

[ValerieJ]

How's about the kid answers the questions we adults need to know to help them?
Honest communication is part of the maturity needed to succeed.

Curious @ValerieJ do you have kids?

Yes and grandkids. LOL I understand your frustration, but it is a young person.

 

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

Who knows, maybe if in the future I have enough money to buy a house with a big space and no neighbors with yards we have to share, I'll have some chickens. It takes lots of patience, and I fear losing interest in chickens in the future.

 

[ValerieJ]

Who knows, maybe if in the future I have enough money to buy a house with a big space and no neighbors with yards we have to share, I'll have some chickens. It takes lots of patience, and I fear losing interest in chickens in the future.

Well, if you do, you'll move on to another interest at that time. I, for one, am happy you want to try to take care of something so special and fragile as a chicken. I hope you will keep coming in here and asking questions. Find out what it takes to keep your chickens safe and in their home space. We'll help you figure it out. The people here who are asking a lot of questions are just trying to help. There are ways to answer those questions without giving too much information. I understand you wanting to remain anonymous, but for example, I'd like to be able to say he or she and not he/she every time. LOL It would be helpful to know what age group you are in, teen years, preteen, or younger? We, on this platform, are here to help you with chickens, but one can never be too careful, so be vague. By asking where you live, we are trying to figure out general geographical challenges, not where you live specifically. Don't let your guard down. You're doing the right thing. But, whatever general info you give helps to identify what predators you might not have thought about. So, say Southern MI or northern VA or Western GA, something like that. I'm in SW Washington. I have disclosed I'm on the Cowlitz River, but no one would be able to find me by that. They would just know I have eagles, hawks, owls, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, cougars, and bears. I hope that helps.

 

[Fluffnut]

Try getting 4-5 bantam Wyandottes or Marans (or both). They lay plenty of eggs (in fact, all standard breeds- the bigger size- come in bantam, so you could choose some of those that lay well and just get bantams. Do not get a breed like Leghorns, who lay a lot but are loud and flighty. Buckeyes, Brahmas love), Barnevelders, and Barred rocks are all good options as well, and Australorps are good too but I don't know how readily available those are in bantam.Keep them in a chicken tractor and if you want to let them out at all, do so in the early evening and watch them. This way they'll play around in your yard a bit then put themselves to bed.
Full time free ranging is never a good idea in a yard as small as yours with neighbors on both sides (or even close to you on one side)
I would also suggest getting a book on chickens, such as Storey's guide to raising chickens (4th edition is best, I think). If you aren't the reading type try websites such as Fresh Eggs Daily or (of course!) BYC.
It will help prove to your parents that you can do this if you understand exactly what you are talking about.
You need an education in the birds before you get them. Also, be sure not to get any roosters. They'll just serve to aggravate your neighbors further.
Good luck!

 

[ValerieJ]

My mom would give me chicks, she's all for it, but the problem is space and neighbors. But in another country (that we visit every year, and many family members live there) we have a large space where we plan to build a cabin AND have chicks. There are no neighbors, lots of space, and when we leave, caring family members that will accept taking care of the chickens. I won't be able to tame the chickens (since I go there once a year), and that's what I wanted to do: build a bond with one. There are much, much more predators there, but it's very common to have chickens in that country, so there's lots of experienced people (it's my mom's home country, and she has lots of experience since she grew up with having chickens). There's also enough space that she bought in the calm country-side in order to build a secure coop and run. Hopefully they do better there.

That makes sense. Perhaps you could try a more domestic bird, like a parrot.

 

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

That makes sense. Perhaps you could try a more domestic bird, like a parrot.

She actually offered to get me a bird instead of a chick, but apparently they're harder to deal with. I'll take up on her offer and see how it goes. Maybe I get attached to them like how I got attached to chicks! In the beginning, before I got my chicks, I decided to carry them to see how it would be like. I didn't like them because of their long nails and because they pooped every minute. Now, chick(ens) are my favorite animals.