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

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

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.

I've updated my account

 

[Fluffnut]

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.

You could consider ducks too. They are prone to fewer illnesses than chickens and lay eggs for a longer time. They come in bantam too, don't require a whole pond (a sandbox or kiddie pool is great) and just as cute as chickens. Even their awkward feathering stage is cute! They are messier as babies than chicks, though.
I agree with @ValerieJ- it should be alright, for instance, for me to say I'm a teen from NC. (or an old lady, middle aged man, etc.) Honestly, think of it this way: what kind of identity thief is going to be surfing around on a chicken website when they could just go on Facebook, you know?

 

[ValerieJ]

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.

I have known people who bonded with parrots. Keep in mind they live a long time. You will have your bird well into adulthood. Something to think about.

 

[Fluffnut]

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.

You could try a parakeet or a finch or dove. I wanted some of those before I got chickens but couldn't get them as they are an inside bird, and some are loud. Chickens, ducks and cats are some of my faves too though (though I love most animals)!

 

[ValerieJ]

I've updated my account

Perfect. It's a girl!!! Feel like we just had a baby in chickenland!!!

 

[ValerieJ]

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

In fact, I'm dangerously close to being a great grandmother. LOL I mentioned how my parents were, not how I was. I would have encouraged my kids to try again and helped them figure out what went wrong. But, that's me.

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Here is a Florida state thread - I bet folks there could help you with things specific to your area such as predators, housing, etc: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/florida-always-sunny-side-up.305793/

 

[rosemarythyme]

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.

I doubt you'll lose interest if they're something you really want. I've wanted chickens for years but the time was never right between work and where we lived, etc... Then a few years ago we were ready to move again, had our down payment saved up and rent kept climbing, and my one big request was that we live somewhere we could have chickens. Voila, now we have chickens.

 

[ValerieJ]

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I doubt you'll lose interest if they're something you really want. I've wanted chickens for years but the time was never right between work and where we lived, etc... Then a few years ago we were ready to move again, had our down payment saved up and rent kept climbing, and my one big request was that we live somewhere we could have chickens. Voila, now we have chickens.

I've been feeling that way about cows as far back as I remember....but my husband says no cow pets.

 

[Essentiallyokanaganmom]

You worry about losing interest in an animal your trying to convince your parents to let you have?

Are you buying meat chickens to butcher or pet chickens to love because if your worried about losing interest if you dont get instant gratification by getting them right now dispite what's happened in the past and the good advice that's been given, what happens when, even if you do what's been suggested, the chickens are 3 or 4 years old, not necessarily bonded to you, you graduate and lose interest or move to college and now your parents are having to care for YOUR pet? Nope the more I read the more I think its completely fair for your parents to say no...if you really are that interested you wont lose interest and you can wait until your living situation and maturity is better suited for having pets