How do I convince my parents to let me get chickens?

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Just show them how much they would be saving on eggs.
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Good luck! I didn't have to do any convincing when we got my first chickens. I was in middle school at the time. We saw two chicks for sale at a local farm park and my mom suggested that we get them. They were not "my responsibility," but I was expected to help my mom with them. She's told me later that she did most of the work, but I can't really remember what the distribution was. I know I was a real annoying pain in the patoot whenever she asked me to get them more straw. (I hated going up into the barn for it. So many spiders.) The coop and run were assembled by my dad very quickly. We were suburban-leaning-rural, so there were a few feed stores around for us to buy their food. Everything else they needed we assembled from things we just had in the house.

Knowing absolutely nothing about your family or circumstances, the biggest thing I see as an impediment is the finances angle. Being a "young teen" means that you probably don't have a regular job. How much money will the chickens themselves be? How much money will their feed be, and how often will you need to buy it? Can you float these costs on your own, with odd jobs or an allowance? Can you make an agreement with your parents to take on additional chores in exchange for them to pay for your new hobby?

Also, I'm 25 and my boyfriend is 30. We're in the middle of building our coop and run. It's hard. And complicated. I mean no disrespect, but I am not confident in you building the coop by yourself (unless you're building using a kit). Will you need to convince your parents or friends to help in the building? Will that be a deal-breaker if your parents don't like construction?
 
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Just be honest with your parents and up front about your goals. If you're not sure that they would support you, just ask them what you could do (in a reasonable time frame) to help convince them you are ready.
As far as dogs go, many are excellent chicken killers... so it really depends on your individual dog. I have one dog (a yellow lab) that has always completely ignored my birds and every other critter that comes around. Our other dog however, (blue pit) needed some extra training to break her intense gaze and and lots of desensitizing of her prey drive. We worked extensively on the "leave it" command and she's now able to ignore squirrels and other dogs and can be around my chickens off leash. I still wouldn't trust her unsupervised though.

Feathered_Texans said:
When I convinced my parents, I showed them that I had all the information that I needed. At random times I would go on and on about how chickens should be properly kept and random facts that nobody in my family knew about chickens, along with benefits you don’t usually think about. I would show them photos of the breeds of chickens I wanted, and all about that breed and their temperament and eggs. My parents were impressed I knew so much and they could tell I really wanted them. I did some work around the house and earned some money to pay for the chicks. I made sure everything was perfect and planned. I made promises that this was my duty and the only thing they would have to do is help me build a coop.
Now here I am years later and my flock has grown. My family fully supports me in having chickens and they enjoy them too.
I wish you luck! :love
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Ted Brown said:
I think most parents are keen to see their children engage in activities that help them grow their knowledge and show that they can take on responsibilities and follow through with the obligations that come along.

I would guess that your current behaviors will influence how your parents will react. Do you help with things around the house (regularly clean your room, take care of your brothers/sisters, respond when you are asked to help, etc)? If the answer is yes you will be in a better position.

As to how to approach your parents I suggest that you MAKE A PLAN and write it down.
  • Where will the birds be kept (both coop and outside run)? How will those spaces be built?
  • List the various work tasks that will be needed to take care of the birds and indicate how you will be able to carry out those tasks on a daily, weekly, etc. basis.
  • Try your best to figure out how much money it will cost to get started and then keep going over the months and years that the birds will live.
  • List the benefits that will come from having chickens (eggs, amusement, fertilizer for the garden, etc.).
  • Figure out realistically how long it will take to get started.
  • ??? other things you may think of.
Most parents will not expect a teen to do everything needed to undertake all of the things in your plan. If the plan makes sense, if they see that you are serious, if the family circumstances (where you live, other pets, available money, etc) make it possible you stand a much better chance of convincing them to help you in getting and looking after a small flock of chickens. If there is something that prevents them from saying yes, figure out what that is and what you can do to diminish it's importance.

This forum has many members that would love to help you to get started. If you have questions just ask (as you have already done) and you will get great suggestions. They will even help you with your plan once you get some basics written down. Keep asking.

Best of luck!!!
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excellent advice!
 
ravensnow said:
Good luck! I didn't have to do any convincing when we got my first chickens. I was in middle school at the time. We saw two chicks for sale at a local farm park and my mom suggested that we get them. They were not "my responsibility," but I was expected to help my mom with them. She's told me later that she did most of the work, but I can't really remember what the distribution was. I know I was a real annoying pain in the patoot whenever she asked me to get them more straw. (I hated going up into the barn for it. So many spiders.) The coop and run were assembled by my dad very quickly. We were suburban-leaning-rural, so there were a few feed stores around for us to buy their food. Everything else they needed we assembled from things we just had in the house.

Knowing absolutely nothing about your family or circumstances, the biggest thing I see as an impediment is the finances angle. Being a "young teen" means that you probably don't have a regular job. How much money will the chickens themselves be? How much money will their feed be, and how often will you need to buy it? Can you float these costs on your own, with odd jobs or an allowance? Can you make an agreement with your parents to take on additional chores in exchange for them to pay for your new hobby?

Also, I'm 25 and my boyfriend is 30. We're in the middle of building our coop and run. It's hard. And complicated. I mean no disrespect, but I am not confident in you building the coop by yourself (unless you're building using a kit). Will you need to convince your parents or friends to help in the building? Will that be a deal-breaker if your parents don't like construction?
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Thanks for the advice! Yes, I would ask my parents for help. My dad builds a lot and is very knowledgable about construction. I would help pay for them, but wouldn't be able to all the way. (I do sew and sell my stuff at craft fairs, so I do make some money, usually about $100-$150 a show)
 
Fishkeeper said:
Another thing to consider, that I don't think I saw mentioned below: are you going to go to college in the future? If you do, what happens to them? You won't be able to take them with you. Don't count on anyone else wanting to care for them, either, or on being able to find them new homes.
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Good Point. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks!
 

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