probably wrong place to ask but people wanting to bring kids to see our farm

[HeatherLynn]

Ok I am selling some extra chicks and I don't mind people coming here to get them BUT I have someone wanting to do so THIS weekend. I am doing hay all weekend, not to mention fathers day, and my dad is still all banged up and struggling to walk around. So I have a lot of extras on me. I explained this and offered to meet them half way to save gas. Um no they want to come to the farm and get the whole farm experience when they buy their birds and they want to bring all their children with them. I am so tempted to say no. I just have a ton of family stuff on my plate and normally I would not have an issue but after hours doing hay and then coming back to do everything else on the farm, and taking care of dad I don't think I can give tours and keep track of more kids.

I am starting to feel selfish and mean because I am so time crunched with dad being hurt. Everyone is demanding my time but really am i being unreasonable. fathers day weekend and i am doing hay and short notice? Maybe if she would have wanted to schedule it like a week or so out so I could delegate a few dozen things. What do you think? I vote sorry i can't do it and I schedule a day out in a couple weeks to make it to a swap meet or something.

 

[Mattemma]

I would say no.It is a working farm and you are working this weekend.Postpone to another time.It will be hard enough keeping the kids under control .You might lose the sale,but shoot they can go to an educational farm for a farm experience.That is what I do...take the kids to a edu farm.Most people do not let strangers on the farm for bio security reasons.

So I vote no to this weekend visit.That or you get them in and out FAST. Box up the chicks and all before she comes.Sounds like she wants a tour though.Just say your farm is not a touring farm.That it simply would not be safe for children. Many people sell chicks, and touring the farm is NOT an option.Buyers are OK with that,Shoot,soome people refuse to even disclose their location,and instead meet up somewhere.It is not just bio security you need to worry about.

Best wishes whatever you decide and healings for dad.

 

[chickenzoo]

Id say not this weekend bury you'd be happy to see them the next.....if you don't mind. I don't let people here on the farm...I meet them down the road. I've had bad experiences so I no longer allow it. If they want to bring all their kids...they can go pay a petting zoo. Its hard enough to get good insurance with animals.....so I don't risk it.

 

[Stumpy]

There is nothing wrong with saying it is not a good time for you! It sounds like you have enough on your plate already.

 

[CarolJ]

Your farm - your decision. I just had some friends (with six kids) come out this week to see the baby chicks. That was great. They were friends, I invited them over, I put plastic shoe covers on everyone, and we all had a great time. However, when I'm selling chicks to people I don't know, I never allow them on the farm. Be matter of fact but definite - biosecurity rules, no visits to the farm, you'll meet them elsewhere. I always meet people in a public place when I sell chickens. They can take it or leave it.

 

[Mskayladog]

I would say NO. I work from home and a client showed up early and dh met her at the door and said I was not done grooming their dog and I turned around and looked out the grooming window and by gosh he was taking her brood of kids to see the chicks. I grabbed up her dog and ran outside screaming NOOOOOOOOO stay away from the chicks..like a crazy lady. Went back inside and finished grooming her dog. I explained to her I did not want the chicks stressed since they are new and getting used to the coop.

I had rather lose a client then lose a chick.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Suggest another time. Remind them you are not a petting zoo.

My downstate relatives have come to think of our place as such and were quite appalled when they showed up early once to see a stainless steel bowl full of chicken parts with the feet still attached on the counter (I was *almost* done slaughtering and cleaning up). I also get my milk from a dairy farm and my dad wanted to take his girlfriend's grandchildren out to see the calves. I said as long as they behaved themselves (my DD and DBF's DD watch calves and pet any who wander over and know better than to climb on the hay). Well, behaving themselves meant running around screaming while my dad made obnoxious comments about cow manure. I had to tell him never again, it was a working farm, they trust us and others in the cowshare to disturb things as little as possible when we get our milk.

I also had a breeder meet me at a park-and-ride once because the time I was going to get chicks was bad for her. No big deal. I would have liked to have seen her breeding stock, but she sent me photos beforehand that were adequate

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Why would you feel selfish or guilty? They are imposing on you. They don't sound like particlarly considerate people ("oh, this is a really bad time for you? Well, we want our kids to have the 'farm experience', and aren't willing to wait a week."). That would be a warning to me that these may not be the kinds of people who will listen when you warn them to please stop poking the chickens with sticks, and that the bull is not a toy. Maybe they are wonderful and respectful people of course...but they can still wait to access your farm.

 

[HeatherLynn]

I suggested a different time. No more emails incoming. Thinking it didn't work into the father day weekend they planned. Oh well. The upside between cleaning coops, feeding, putting up hay, laundry and cleaning the house I managed to pick myself up a 2 day old baby goat whose mom had died. Now I am even busier lol. Minka Starflower is my new excuse as to why I am just way too busy.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Very cool and good for you.