I Need Advice On Chickens!

[mstricer]

Quote:
Is there a reason that your mother would think that you can't take care of them? Do you have a history/background of being responsible for an animals' welfare?

I don't know the general area that you are in because no location is given in your user info but you might inquire at your school if they offer any "technical/agricultural classes" and sign up for an ag course being as eventually lessons on livestock should come up. You could also look into your area 4-H as they have several programs on raising poultry that might help to educate you (and your mother with you).

It sounds to me that it's not a resource (money) issue as much as it might be a responsibility issue that causes your mother to not be agreeable to you starting a flock of chickens. You might need to step back for a moment and look at yourself and your situation from a distance. Think about what might improve your mother's perception of how you handle responsibilities...and then proceed to honestly make those improvements. If you want chickens badly enough you'll exert the effort to create the needed changes.

Being responsible for another living creature whether it is a gold fish or a thoroughbred race horse is a great responsibility being as their health, life, and even happiness (among just a few things) are totally in your hands. It's a big responsibility.

Think about it.

Best wishes,
Ed

Ed you are definetly right on this one. seems like someone didnt like what you had to say so they jump to another forum. Sometimes my fingers start typing before my brain thinks.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Is there a reason that your mother would think that you can't take care of them? Do you have a history/background of being responsible for an animals' welfare?

I don't know the general area that you are in because no location is given in your user info but you might inquire at your school if they offer any "technical/agricultural classes" and sign up for an ag course being as eventually lessons on livestock should come up. You could also look into your area 4-H as they have several programs on raising poultry that might help to educate you (and your mother with you).

It sounds to me that it's not a resource (money) issue as much as it might be a responsibility issue that causes your mother to not be agreeable to you starting a flock of chickens. You might need to step back for a moment and look at yourself and your situation from a distance. Think about what might improve your mother's perception of how you handle responsibilities...and then proceed to honestly make those improvements. If you want chickens badly enough you'll exert the effort to create the needed changes.

Being responsible for another living creature whether it is a gold fish or a thoroughbred race horse is a great responsibility being as their health, life, and even happiness (among just a few things) are totally in your hands. It's a big responsibility.

Think about it.

Best wishes,
Ed

Ed you are definetly right on this one. seems like someone didnt like what you had to say so they jump to another forum. Sometimes my fingers start typing before my brain thinks.

mstricer, your reply to the twelve year old young lady was fine. The writing practice can only do her good, eh? ...and having to think about what to write, well, I think you and I were saying basically the same thing just in a couple of different ways.

Now...get out from up under that chair!!!!

Ed

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
No, I wouldn't think a young lady like yourself would let an animal starve, I think you love animals too much to let that happen.

Sometimes we have to really work at convincing somebody that we are capable of doing something and it takes time. Give it some time, be honest with yourself and others, work hard, study hard, and be respectful of your parents. When your mother sees how you are growing and maturing she may decide to let you have chickens, but like I said, it will take time. But no matter what the outcome is you should respect her and her decision because she is the person that feeds, clothes, and loves you so much.

For now study all you can about poultry. What's the average chicken's temperature? How about the optimal internal temperature of an incubating egg? How does an egg actually form within a hen? What's the blastoderm? What's a blastodisc? How many toes does a Dorking have? Is it better to feed higher protein feed in the winter or summer? What is the deep litter method? Why do you feed crushed oyster shell to hens? What's should a forced-air incubator's temperature be? How about a still-air? Will chickens eat grass? Will they eat fish? How long can a just-hatched chick live on it's internal food? What is the purpose of a yolk to a day-old chick? Is humidity important in a coop? Why do chickens need grit? What's sour crop? Why shouldn't you carry a chicken upside down by it's legs? What is cocci? What is a broiler? What does sex-linked mean? How do you break a broody hen? What does eating too much hay cause? ...and only a few more thousands basic questions that could be asked.

Lots and lots to learn and the only way to learn is to study, study, study....make the most of your time now studying and enjoy the rewards later. I'm 52 years old and have been studying chickens for a couple of years and have ZERO (0) chickens. When I get the time to get my coop and run setup like I want it and take care of other responsibilities then will I get my chickens. But, in the mean time I'm studying every chance I get. I try to keep up with what I can hear on BYC. And I read lots of books...I probably have over twenty poultry books....read, read, read.

If you started studying about chickens *seriously* at your age you would definitely be educated in the poultry sciences in just a few years, you might even go on to college to get a degree in poultry science. Who knows....one day you may even go into business raising exotic fowl! Studying will help one person the most....and that person is YOU!!!

But, respect your mother and her decisions because she is the one who will take care of you while you get your poultry education. Maybe when you make it big in the poultry industry you can return the favor and take care of her.

Best wishes, I feel confident that one day you will be a fine flock mistress.
Ed

 

[I-LOVE-INCUBATORS]

THX ill try

 

[yourhighness]

You have to be GENTLE with your mom! Very gentle, very patient. Show her you are able to wait for her to say "yes".

Don't ask every day, but research things, and tell her what you learn. In the car, you could mention casually to her about the differences between two different breeds, or how fast a chick develops in the egg. Don't push anything at all, if she relates chickens with stress, you're out of luck.

I can't own chickens for more than a few weeks while they grow up in a brooder because of neighborhood rules, but I've used this method before. Prepare to wait months, or more, but it's s pretty effective

 

[bigstack]

I agree with the Above statements! This is what I did.
There might be some laws preventingchickens in your neighborhood. I don't now where you are. BUT....

When I was young I wanted a rabbit so bad!!! Parents aid no! I studied up on them for months. I Learned all about how to care for, feed, house, doctor if need be...Etc I would just brig the subject up in conversation. When I did I would just drop a few facts I had learned. (This was all before computers and the net!) LOL I asked around and found a guy who had rabbits close by. I got permission to help him out on week ends. After a while (still mentioning the new things I was learning to parents) of helping out. I brought up the fact that the farmer had a small rabbit he said I could have. Up until this point I had not asked for rabbits again! I only brought them and the facts up in conversation. Parents said since I was so dedicated to the rabbits and I had stuck to them. I had proven it wasn't just a whim. I was serious about them and their care. And that Since I had learned so much and seen how much work was involved in their care, and I stll wanted them. I could have the rabbit!!!!! They just wanted to make sure I knew what was involved. It is alot of WORK to keep any animal alive. Chickens have very serious health problems. That come on very quickly and can be deadly to them! You have to be ready for the care of a sick chicken and even death! Some times they just die for some reason. Don't get me wrong I LOVE chickens and I Think every one should raise their own. You just need to prove your seriousness and don't pester your parents. That is childish and not what a responsible person does. You have to prove your able to care for the chickens and that you can be trusted to care for them. Your parents Prolly just think its a whim and that they will wind up having to take care of the chicens. You just need to prove tem wrong! Show them how serious you are. Show them How much you care. Show them how much dedication you have. Show them how mature and serious youcan be in everything! School, home, pets....etc Prove to them you can be trusted! That is the big thing with parents. Trust, Maturity, Dedication, and knowledge of the subject (good and bad)

I hope this helps! Its just my 2 cents and what worked for me.

Good Luck and God Bless!

 

[I-LOVE-INCUBATORS]

I LIVE OUT next to a corn field in indiana and theres no rules that say i cant have chickens.but i asked her and she said mabey so thankyou for all your help.