Talking someone out of getting chickens

[Sinadrea]

You named too many things (at once) to consider imho. Even though many are somewhat true.
A big chance for a rat or mice infestation probably will do for most people to discourage them.

My sister in law is perturbed by them pooping everywhere in the yard, flies, and rats

 

[BDutch]

My sister in law is perturbed by them pooping everywhere in the yard, flies,

This is why I prefer having small bantams. The small poops are hardly a burden. During the summer the flies come to eat the fresh poop and leave again when they are finished.
I must confess: The poop of my giant bantam Amrocks is a nuisance. They are 2x the size of my Dutch bantams. The poops are 2x as big too.

and rats

My neighbours cats probably deals with every young rat that comes around. I have no trouble with mice nor rats. * I even leave the leftover feed in the run at night. The chickens don’t mind to have breakfast directly after sunrise (auto pop door with light sensor).

But don’t mention these to the irresponsible friend.

*Oops, I’m afraid Shadrach is getting jealous now.

 

[Sinadrea]

This is why I prefer having small bantams. The small poops are hardly a burden. During the summer the flies come to eat the fresh poop and leave again when they are finished.

My neighbours cats probably deals with every young rat that comes around. I have no trouble with mice nor rats. * I even leave the leftover feed in the run at night. The chickens don’t mind to have breakfast directly after sunrise (auto pop door with light sensor).

But don’t mention these to the irresponsible friend.

*Oops, I’m afraid Shadrach is getting jealous now.

Me too! I have 3 cats, one was adopted from the humane society as a stray, they are so accustomed to being inside now that they don't kill anything

 

[Cloverfluff]

I think you've covered everything, they should make pamphlet disclaimers at chick vendors and website with this list! However, now I see another side to Big Chicken being revealed!

Pamphlet disclaimers would be awesome. I remember being at a festival and sitting with a family that "won" two chicks. They had NO idea of the requirements that the chicks needed. I had just recently started raising chickens myself and researching all the stuff that they would need and that was full adult hens. Luckily I remembered seeing a brooder setup at TSC the last time I had been. I figured it would be the best and most available item to be found in a hurry.

 

[mango-o]

If they really want to do it, I don't think there's much you can say. If you're concerned, just warn they're harder to take care of than they look.

Maybe tell them to start small. I have a bad track record with fish, and it took me 10 years to get better at it!

They'll need to sacrifice extra time and put aside money for care and emergencies like sickness and predator proofing.

The worst thing for me is cost for projects and upkeep. Currently in winter I am fighting the mites, fighting frostbite on these extreme days, and pasty butt. I also am buying feed and bedding twice a month, which can get costly.

We also have a fenced in yard but haven't been able to finish our run yet, and even this had cost us around $1000. The main problem for me is I also have a toddler and my husband works a lot.

Lastly, the worst thing I can feel is heartbreak for feeling I'm not doing a good enough job when a chicken dies due to something I do wrong.

But at least your trying and putting in the work .
This person I know won't try

 

[fluffycrow]

Is this person mainly interested in chickens as livestock, or pets?
Knowing why they want to get into chicken tending in the first place might help you come up with something to put them off the whole idea.
Knowing what exactly that bad track record is could also help. Do they get bored easily? Doing insufficient research? Neglect? All the above?

 

[Sinadrea]

Pamphlet disclaimers would be awesome. I remember being at a festival and sitting with a family that "won" two chicks. They had NO idea of the requirements that the chicks needed. I had just recently started raising chickens myself and researching all the stuff that they would need and that was full adult hens. Luckily I remembered seeing a brooder setup at TSC the last time I had been. I figured it would be the best and most available item to be found in a hurry.

I started raising chickens about 3 years ago and I'm still learning.
We started with a cheap coop and brooded our 1st ones indoors.
We learned our lesson after we bought a prefabricated expensive coop, the older hens prefer the older coop.

 

[Cloverfluff]

I started raising chickens about 3 years ago and I'm still learning.
We started with a cheap coop and brooded our 1st ones indoors.
We learned our lesson after we bought a prefabricated expensive coop, the older hens prefer the older coop.

I definitely understand that. I had to rig up a brooder last year for some chicks I bought with the intention of having one of my broody hens raise. Unfortunately, she isn't much of a foster mom. I've not had too many issues with my coops, but I'm still working on getting some sturdy runs set up. My last one collapsed last week.

 

[Sinadrea]

I definitely understand that. I had to rig up a brooder last year for some chicks I bought with the intention of having one of my broody hens raise. Unfortunately, she isn't much of a foster mom. I've not had too many issues with my coops, but I'm still working on getting some sturdy runs set up. My last one collapsed last week. View attachment 4292827

Oh no! I'm sure the hens would still use it but, that is an issue, especially in the winter. What caused it to collapse?

 

[SkyAJK]

You named too many things (at once) to consider imho. Even though many are somewhat true.
A big chance for a rat or mice infestation probably will do for most people to discourage them.

What is imho?

Those are list are my experience. The time, the expense and the trouble it bring, but still...I have chickens, want more chickens...talk about addiction. But other might find it too much.

Whenever my mom call me from 3pm forward, she can not get me on the phone because my afternoon chicken work starts at 3pm, cleaning up, new bedding, let them all out to play, treats,..etc...I get inside the house no earlier than before 7pm...talk about hard work.