Some people ...

[Woofless]

LOL, I can so relate to what you're all saying.

I was a suburban Florida kid up until I was 25 and now I find myself living in extremely rural South Dakota. I got chickens, ducks and quail this year for the first time. My first experience/attempt at raising livestock.

And I am FASCINATED by it all. Even on days when I am dead tired & have worked all day long, I can't help but sit down on a straw bale to watch the chickens every day. It is mesmerizing and relaxing. Almost Zen-like. Yet even living where I do, it's hard to find others who are QUITE this fascinated by my birds. LOL.

Everybody who lives around me is pretty much a lifelong rural area resident. They grew up around chickens, cows, horses, etc.....to them, it's no big deal! Whereas the novelty hasn't worn off for me and I'm not sure it ever will.

Folks are mostly politely interested and will ask, "So how are the chickens coming along?" and are GREAT for when I have a quick question or want someone's opinion regarding the birds. I've gotten lots of good advice from neighbors even before I found BYC

But as for inviting people over to hang out and visit with the chickens?? Isn't happening anytime soon....LOL....people laugh and think I'm nuts for asking!!!

Though, my friends do seem mildly amused by how excited I get over my birds, LOL. I think they find it interesting to view "country life" through the eyes of someone who's never experienced it. One friend did stop by to see the chicks & ducks when they were babies....but she gave me some good-natured ribbing me once I started sending her baby-chick picture messages & posting pics of them to Facebook all the time, LOL.

Fortunately I do have one "suburban" friend who lives about 70 miles away who is also a transplant to SD. Yet she is just as fascinated by my chickens as I am & has wanted to come see them since I got them. Finally she found the time to do just that- and she even sat out in my chicken coop to watch them for a good 45 minutes just like I do every day

And my mom....a suburban girl with farm roots....fond memories of her grandparent's chickens as a child....is utterly in love with the idea of my chickens and can't wait to come up for a visit. I told her she's going to have to wear overalls & a straw hat, and go out to collect eggs every morning!!

At least I haven't had to deal with the squeamish city-type folks who think everything that's not plastic-wrapped is "filthy" and is more interested in vapid celebrity gossip than the real world. Not too many folks like that around here....pretty much everyone is very well aware of where their food comes from, if not directly & intimately involved with its production!!!

 

[Sweetfolly]

Quote:
I did that to my step-family once. They were disgusted by the fact that we eat and cook with duck eggs here, so I sent a Christmas package of Italian Pizzelle cookies to them - the batter uses 6 eggs, and I used ALL duck eggs. They gobbled them all up, raved about how good they were, and were none the wiser!

 

[FenDruadin]

It's amazing to me that anyone is picky about duck eggs. They are so delicious! My friend who is a personal chef raves about them, especially for baking. I admit, I was a little nervous the first time I tried some, but I have never looked back.

I do have to be careful not to bore my friends to tears with discussions of the antics of my birds, especially around hatching time. I watch their faces and wait for the glazed look to appear, and then I shut up.

 

[buzymom13]

I agree...My kids and I think our ducks and chickens are the best. My neices and nephews love coming to see them but my other family members say, "What on earth are you thinking?" I grew up being told that only "farmers and people who were dirty" had farm animals. My mother is a clean freak, I am not. I enjoy my small flock. I have 11 chickens and 2 Pekin ducklings. We have a ball with them.

Even my husband says he would never have believed that I would have wanted chickens and ducks (and am wanting Nigerian Dwarf Goats next), and we've been married 22 yrs.

It's amazing to me when people don't think these feathered friends are so funny and cute and amazing to watch. I sit by the run and just chuckle at them and enjoy them. (Much more interesting than most TV programs)

I too have learned to watch for the "Oh my she's talking about her animals again" look. I smile and let it go. Let them think what they want...when it comes down to it my kids and I are the ones that get the most out of life!


Small Backyard Farm Animals RULE!!! LOL

 

[Show Me Chick]

Deep down inside I guess I'm an evil person because I made scrambled eggs the following day and I used 1/2 + 1/2. He obviously enjoyed them, gobbled them up as if there was no tomorrow. Ha ha to him!

I've never tried duck eggs...I not sure if I would willing do it.

You would have to trick me as well. What is the texture and taste like?​

 

[Becky89*]

I know where you're coming from. I am currently going to college in a city and I bring my college friends home with me on Fridays. They could care less about my ducks, chickens, bunnies and guinea hens.The only animal they pay attention to is my newest edition to the family and thats my Paint gelding. His name is Cash and I think what catches my friend's eye is his mane when he runs, its two different colors.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Quote:

I've never tried duck eggs...I not sure if I would willing do it.

You would have to trick me as well. What is the texture and taste like?

No texture difference really,except I wouldn't fry them, they tend to get a bit more rubbery - but they are exceptional as scrambled eggs, and ducks eggs are THE BEST with baking - they are much more richer tasting than chicken eggs. Its one reason I got ducks again, just nothing beats a cake, brownie, or cookie recipe with duck eggs. I don't know what it is, but something makes them alot tastier and flavorful.

I dont understand people being afraid to try foods...its food, you taste it if you dont like it spit it out and don't try it again, end of story. I'll try anything once, and i'll try it again a few years later because my taste buds change...Like me i used to LOVE strawberries, after I was pregnant and had my daughter I don't like regular strawberries, will eat the jelly and candy but not real strawberries or strawberry icecream either. *shrugs* just one of them things

The old adage "Don't knock it till you try it"

you really should try it! Duck meat and duck eggs are delicacies in many other countries, and its no wonder both the meat and egg of ducks are amazing!

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

Woofless said. Even on days when I am dead tired & have worked all day long, I can't help but sit down on a straw bale to watch the chickens every day. It is mesmerizing and relaxing.

Just wait. I chill out with my chicks all the time and my friends know it. It's so relaxing to just watch them.

Wait until a friend stops by because they "needed to just chill with the chicks", had been really upset about something and just hung out in the back yard and cooled off. It's happened here, maybe others will be lucky enough to be able to lend their flock for chilling purposes.​

 

[ejctm]

I have just loved reading this thread! Now I feel normal!

I work in the City of London and live outside in a lovely rural area. Coming home to my hens each night, especially during the summer when I have time to enjoy them more, is what keeps me sane, and enables me to endure the daily commute and the rat race, etc. I lived in the city most of my life, but moved back to the countryside a few years ago. Best thing ever.

I too gabble on to my friends and colleagues about my birds. Don't care if they glaze over or think I am chicken crazy. That's just me!

 

[columbiacritter]

People at work call me the weird chicken lady, but they love my eggs, both chicken and duck.

My Dads wife used to visit us a lot more often now she rarely does because our birds free range and there's poop in the yard. She goes straight from the car to the front door acting like it's a mine field even though there's rarely any poops in her way.
My dad was raised on a farm so he isn't fazed by poop but he has never liked animals so considers our birds, dogs and lizards a waster of time and money.