How to convince parents? Please help!

[hopingforchickens]

I have gone the whole 9 yards with this. I've done my research, I put together a presentation for why we should get chickens. They agreed, but things went downhill from there: the problem is the coop that they want. I convinced them to get three chickens (can't do one, if you have two and one dies there's a problem), aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand then we came to the coop. They want a coop sold by a local farm: 3 by 3 coop with a three by three run.This won't work, which I am well aware of. I've explained to them why it's not good, showed them other options, offered to do *literally all the work* building a coop. I don't have a credit card or anything like that, so any purchases would have to go through parents first. I have about $70 for spending money and $1,700 in my savings account (that I'm not supposed to spend from) What should I do? I've explained and explained, but if I keep going they'll just call off the chickens entirely. Help!

 

[RiverOtter]

Have you asked them why they want that particular coop?

 

[Mrs. K]

Well it is their place, and their money. And recently my niece was in a similar situation, and finally her folks did help her out, after wanting them for several years. So patience is a virtue.

Have you watched on Craigslist? Often times one can get something for a pretty reasonable price, and a can of paint has often times improved things quite well. Also on Craigslist, often times there is fencing options.

Do you know anyone that builds, perhaps a teacher might have a connection. I did look at what you were going to rent, and really a dog house would be about the same.

Don't whine, don't complain, don't nag. But keep your eye out, be reasonable, act mature in all aspects of your life, and more than likely an opportunity will appear. Keep an eye out and be patient.

Mrs K

 

[hopingforchickens]

Have you asked them why they want that particular coop?

I haven't asked directly, but it is most likely because it is the cheapest option from the farm, and the farm offers it in a rental (rent coop and chickens and feed etc. as a package) with three hens. I've gotten "The farm people know what you're doing, you're overreacting" a lot.

 

[bruceha2000]

First
Sounds like a bit of a tough situation. Where do you live? Might make a difference with regard to winter weather. Is their desire a "ready for occupancy" with little work coop or something else?

3 hens in a 3 x 3 could fit if the nest box is external. Definitely want a bigger run though. Andy building experience between you and your parents and would they be willing to help build a coop?

 

[Tamdog]

Well hello, I am a mom so I will have to speak from that perspective ( my kids are all grown) but I was one of those easy going parents. I did lean towards giving my kids experiences that they could learn from. My suggestion is that you will have to prove yourself. You need to show your parents that this will be a great life lesson, a learning experience. Sounds like you have done your homework and researched.. and It sounds like they are trying to give you this opportunity. You may have to accept the 3x3 coop and get one or two chickens. This is NOT a bad thing. You can really bond with one chicken and prove your capability to be a good chicken owner. The chances of your parents falling in love with one chicken are exponential. One little chicken running around all cute and fluffy may be the big ticket that one day soon gets you a few more. Don't push. Getting 3 chickens right off the bat may prove to work against you, the parents might not bond with having so many animals. You go get some pretty paint and make that little coop the cutest thing ever. Decorate it. Enjoy this time and don't waste time wishing for more. The idea you expressed over a chicken dying so you need more is not really valid. If a chicken dies you can quickly get another. Good luck. You sound like a awesome kid. @hopingforchickens .. if you need anything else you be sure to let us know. The whole group here is rooting for you.

 

[bruceha2000]

"Rent a chicken". I've heard of that, don't know how well it works out. I assume you parents are planning to let you keep the hens so renting them isn't really very useful. And I suspect renting birds and coop and run will cost more in the long run, those people are doing it to make money.

 

[hopingforchickens]

Well it is their place, and their money. And recently my niece was in a similar situation, and finally her folks did help her out, after wanting them for several years. So patience is a virtue.

Have you watched on Craigslist? Often times one can get something for a pretty reasonable price, and a can of paint has often times improved things quite well. Also on Craigslist, often times there is fencing options.

Do you know anyone that builds, perhaps a teacher might have a connection. I did look at what you were going to rent, and really a dog house would be about the same.

Don't whine, don't complain, don't nag. But keep your eye out, be reasonable, act mature in all aspects of your life, and more than likely an opportunity will appear. Keep an eye out and be patient.

Mrs K

I have been watching on craigslist, there is nothing directly near me. There are several free sheds that could be modified with a total budget of $200 ish, and some low cost chicken coops that I could build a run for. The proI have a friend who's dad has big building tools (he built their coop) and I *think* that he'd let me use them?

Well it is their place, and their money. And recently my niece was in a similar situation, and finally her folks did help her out, after wanting them for several years. So patience is a virtue.

Have you watched on Craigslist? Often times one can get something for a pretty reasonable price, and a can of paint has often times improved things quite well. Also on Craigslist, often times there is fencing options.

Do you know anyone that builds, perhaps a teacher might have a connection. I did look at what you were going to rent, and really a dog house would be about the same.

Don't whine, don't complain, don't nag. But keep your eye out, be reasonable, act mature in all aspects of your life, and more than likely an opportunity will appear. Keep an eye out and be patient.

Mrs K

I have been watching on craigslist, there is nothing directly near me. There are several free sheds that could be modified with a total budget of $200 ish, and some low cost chicken coops that I could build a run for. The problem is, these are all a few hours drive away, and driving isn't a thing that I can do. I'd be willing to drive if I could, but....yeah. I have a friend who's dad has big building tools (he built their coop) and I *think* that he'd let me use them? I'm willing to build things myself, without help. Patience is hard-but I'm working on it! Thanks for the advice.

 

[ameliathedominant]

i was in the same situation with my parents! but for me the deal breaker was the coop cost. like i made a presentation, and researched till midnight but my dad still would not cave. so i just made a 'deal' to work off the spent money. also this is the coop i got
link; https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/large_chicken_coop_eglu_cube/
its a little expensive but it has good reviews, good for winter and summer, and is VERY easy to clean. also it can bre moved to make sure you dont ruin the lawn. this and its predator proof. this moving around thing makes their food bill less and that you dont have to let them free range to get eaten by overhead hunters.
hope this helps!

 

[hopingforchickens]

Well hello, I am a mom so I will have to speak from that perspective ( my kids are all grown) but I was one of those easy going parents. I did lean towards giving my kids experiences that they could learn from. My suggestion is that you will have to prove yourself. You need to show your parents that this will be a great life lesson, a learning experience. Sounds like you have done your homework and researched.. and It sounds like they are trying to give you this opportunity. You may have to accept the 3x3 coop and get one or two chickens. This is NOT a bad thing. You can really bond with one chicken and prove your capability to be a good chicken owner. The chances of your parents falling in love with one chicken are exponential. One little chicken running around all cute and fluffy may be the big ticket that one day soon gets you a few more. Don't push. Getting 3 chickens right off the bat may prove to work against you, the parents might not bond with having so many animals. You go get some pretty paint and make that little coop the cutest thing ever. Decorate it. Enjoy this time and don't waste time wishing for more. The idea you expressed over a chicken dying so you need more is not really valid. If a chicken dies you can quickly get another. Good luck. You sound like a awesome kid. @hopingforchickens .. if you need anything else you be sure to let us know. The whole group here is rooting for you.

I've stopped asking them about it and showing them alternatives because I know it won't work. I was under the impression that chickens can get lonely if you only have one, and I was worried that if a predator got to one it would be hard to get another. This has made me feel better.......hopefully it will all work out. I'll make the best of it