Washingtonians

[AriLovesChickens]

Quote:
I'm actually in Lake Forest Park. Currently, the rule is something like 20,000 sq ft required to have three chickens (not sure on the # of chickens). But the planning rep at City Hall said so many people have called asking about it that they are changing the rule this summer. It will most likely be six birds allowed on any size lot.

 

[ByN8ureHomstead]

Quote:

GAWD, that's perfect! LOL

Yes, he knows about messy babies...but that's "different" because it's a human--not a filthy animal....

Just wait till the baby has it's first 'blowout' Poop in every direction! Only course of action is the bath tub! Might make him rethink a bit!

Been there.
Our oldest was a infant he actually shot a glob of poo on DW leg and it stuck. We still laugh about it.
DW can't handle kid or dog vomit or dog poop that is one of my jobs.

 

[Cowgirlgrace]

Quote:
Some of this really resonates with me as well. I've always wanted to have chickens and made no secret about it. Now we have the place to do so, and DH is being really obnoxious about it. He and I have been having other problems for a while. It's very frustrating when your spouse won't respect long held dreams. He may not be into the same hobbies, but he doesn't have to be a jerk about it.

We have 5 acres so my arguement is 'why not use it for our benefit'? Turn it into something productive. If not, lets just live in an apartment. NOT!!! See ya. LOL. Make a list of pros and cons. Find out what his dreams and wants are. Negotiate! Ha my DH wants a motorcycle which I say go ahead, but the problem is, he doesn't. He blames it on me. OH, my fault you don't go for your dreams? I've gone for mine on my own so whats the problem? Oh, everything is someone elses fault! God, sick of people trying to make me feel guilty for problems they created for themselves! Oh, sorry, there I go again! Really though, It all boils down to acceptance AND give and take. Just make sure you don't give too much more than you take. I know love is supposed to be unconditional and the balance can be off from time to time but really! I think with blood family we can take more abuse but with someone you choose? It just wears me out. Best of luck, keep up the trying. Maybe you can eventually convince him. It's just a few, right? Farm fresh eggs. Better than money can buy..... Some BYCers even share that their spouses end up liking the chickens although they won't admit it!

 

[Rainwolf]

Quote:
I'm actually in Lake Forest Park. Currently, the rule is something like 20,000 sq ft required to have three chickens (not sure on the # of chickens). But the planning rep at City Hall said so many people have called asking about it that they are changing the rule this summer. It will most likely be six birds allowed on any size lot.

You'll want to stick to rules there as they really don't make "allowances" or give any breaks.. I have a friend who lives there and he has so many rules he has to follow about his property its kinda scarey! and he is not in a housing development or anything...

I may have missed it but have you picked out what kind of chickens yet?

 

[VelvettFog]

Quote:
Yeah...but I have been bugging mine to FINISH my large coop since 2009...I gave up on that and got something that I thought could be easily converted into a second coop...that was also about 2 years ago...and then I found several options for builders to build me what I need that he won't and he's just now starting to get the second coop done and keeps threatening to stop all construction because he wants me to sell 1/2 my flock and downsize.

He refuses to finish my bantam bins which will house my bantams during the winter. This means I have to sell most of them (to him). To me, it means I have to hire someone else to do the cages. I pay for all of the chickens, chicks, eggs, vaccines, medications, sand, shavings, feed, etc, etc myself through hatching egg sales. Not a dime comes out of our "regular" budget...

He's only b*tching about it because he'll have to actually help out around here with feeding/watering while I'm recovering from the c-section....now that he knows how many birds I have

and he doesn't listen to me as far as the quickest/most time-efficient ways to feed/water--he's griping because it takes him 1/2 hour and it's "disorganized."

In actuality, it is not....but in his OCD brain, it is. He wants everything absolutely perfect and uniform and weird. They are living things!

He has already made me get rid of four of my horses. I told him it's him or the remaining horses--so he backed off. The hatching egg sales pay for my 3 horses' hay (and HIS one horse's hay) every year. I used to raise/breed reptiles before I got into the poultry...he made me stop that because he said the lizards were gross, their heat lamps were a fire hazard and the crickets I had to feed them were "smelly & noisy." Now that I have chickens--it's all he gripes about. He brings it up several times a day/night. Tonight, he said it was really bothering him and that my chicken hobby is "weird & gross."

Girl, I so understand what you are going through. I could go on and on about stuff but just a few tidbits about what I have concluded. Everyone has interestes, hobbies, things they like to do, things that bring them joy. I have wanted a farm since I was a little horse crazy girl. I inherited that passion from my Grandma, my dads mom and my dad relived that through me. We raised cows, horses, pigs, chickens, veggies and hay together. My dad nurtured that passion and that love followed me to adulthood and has been ingrained in who I am. When I met DH I told him all about me, what I wanted for my life, my dreams etc. He is a city boy but he loved me. Tried for a cowboy but he broke my heart. So city boy made it sound like he had the same dreams. NOT!! So 25 years later and two boys 19 and 22 he's got an ultimatum. I have put up with so much BS, so much of his illness, so many lies, so much complaining about the farm and someone who has done a complete turnaround from the person I married. I have turned to my farm as the only joy in my life. Even my kids have put me out of their life (they are teen and young adult so whatever). What none of them realize is if the animals go, so do I, because they are the reason I stay. They are what I turn to to survive, to bring me joy. I know that sounds sad but I feel obligated to stay for other reasons. You are young and expecting a new baby. Put your foot down and explain to him that he is not the only thing that defines you. Your hobbies, dreams and interests define you. It's part of the person you are. The person he married. He may not like parts but you take it all when you get married. When you marry you agree to accept the whole person. The good, the bad, the ugly. For better or for worse. I'm sure there are things about him you don't particularly enjoy but you agree to live with because you love him. It's all a give and take and acceptance. I know sometimes people can be excessive but what you are doing doesn't sound to me to be excessive. Just not a joy he shares. I have even gone from 8 horses down to 2 to make mine happy and he still complains. I either have 2 or none. If they are none, I am gone. I give and he takes. There is nothing to fill me back up but the farm. Lay it on the line girl! Do it before you raise your kids together so they don't have to suffer through the disagreements. Come to an understanding of each other.

Whew, sorry for the heavy stuff but that just struck a cord that was a long time in strumming! Hope this helps some.

I like extra sauce on my pizza.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
I would think it best to just do the dogs as you would a child and teach them what is ok and what is not !!! JIMHO !!!!!

thanks for the !!!! I breed show and train dogs, dogs will do just like kids and if they can get away with it, knowing full well its against the rules they will. you can teach your dog to stay off the furniture and he will...as long as you are there to reinforce the rules should he forget. the upside down carpet runners do not hurt the dog, the grippers are small, its not like they cut them to shreds. they are uncomfortable to step on. they are a tool in training your dog like everything else. its a reminder and a deterrent to break the pattern of sneaking on to the furniture in the middle of the night. I just got from Cheryl's post that she has a lot on her plate, it was just a suggestion to make things a little easier than moving furniture around while chasing kids and taking care of all those critters. but never mind, I will leave it to the resident professional to make the suggestions from now on....

Easy there I didn't say nor intend to imply that 1) there was anything wrong with your suggestions 2) intend it to be taken that I am claiming to be "the resident professional". Sorry if I stepped on any sore toes.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
Sorry I am not qualified to answer this as I don't know anything.
All I can tell you is that I don't build my own hives.

 

[SadieSue]

I like extra sauce on my pizza.

Well now you've just gone too far. Out with you and your outrageous demands.​

 

[AriLovesChickens]

Quote:
No. I posted a list of breeds (a few pages back) that I'm considering, but I haven't really gotten any closer to deciding.

 

[Zgoatlady]

Quote:
Oh yes the P&G is going to be in the paper, thats what everyone is saying. Has anyone other than me heard this?