When is it all too much?

[flowerchild59]

I just spent way too much on a coop (had to have it built as my husband has yet to finish anything he ever starts.
It has to be nice as it will be one of the first things people will see on our farm as they drive up and I have a part time business here.
I work hard, long hours as a nurse and my chickens make me happy and is a great form of decompression after a rough day at work. I recycle, compost and raise things organically and try to raise as much as we can here on our farm.
How's that for rationalizing on how much I spent?


I don't have too many other vices that suck the life out of my paycheck.....the government is sucking the life out of it with their unfair taxes, poor management of the country and the budget, and the perverse sense of entitlement that is rampent in this land. It is appalling how many people say they can't afford health care or whatever, but they still have booze, cigarettes, drugs, cable tv, internet, cell phones, ipads, you name it. Sorry for the tirade. Just work a little in my shoes someday. It makes you jaded sometimes.

And besides, different strokes for different folks on how much they want to spend on a coop.

 

[mlorne]

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Hardly. The OP (in this case ME) posted before leaving work and did not anticipate that there would be almost 7 pages by the time I got back to the computer

Actually, it was stirring up the ol' compost heap that kept me away until now

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I respectfully suggest that maybe the OP has 5,001 other things on the priority list ahead of checking poultry forums. If you find it constructive I can provide you with a blow by blow account of my afternoon starting with an unexpected and unwanted 2 hour commute home!

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Indeed my original intent was not to start an enflamed exchange, but rather to provide some food for thought and express what I believe is a valid perspective.

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Very thoughtful observations. I am hardly trying to infer that stylized chicken coops are symbolic of American culture, but you do draw some poignant parallels.

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While I respect your opinion, I cannot agree with this. Consumption for the sake of satisfying an emotional need on your part has devastating consequences around the world.

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Couldn't have said it better myself.

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Thanks agnes. I was going to craft a response, but after seeing Auschwitz in person it doesn't seem appropriate.

There seems to be a good deal of misunderstanding here as well as a good deal of insight. I am not here to comment on the state of the American culture, nor the rights and responsibilities of the individual in modern western society. This is a chicken forum for God's sake!

If you find yourself getting high blood pressure as a result of this conversation, perhaps you should ask yourself...why? If you are comfortable with your current lifestyle and the choices you have made and you live at peace with yourself, then my opinion is hardly going to matter now is it?

The unexamined life is not worth living
- Socrates

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Beekissed]

Well said!

 

[texandziggy]

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I hear that. The people across the road from me have dogs that are tied out in their yard all the time. They're constantly barking because nobody over there really pays them attention. It's certainly not the way I treat my dogs -- both of mine are inside dogs and spoiled rotten. But as much as I disagree with a dog tied in a yard all day and night, the dogs' basic needs are being met -- they have food, they have water, they have shelter, and even though they're tied, they have pretty much the whole yard to roam. It's not like there's neglect going on -- they just don't have the same attitudes about dog ownership that I do. Do I think they should pay more attention to their dogs? Yes. Does the constant barking irritate me? Sometimes. Am I going to call animal control because the dogs are barking, or am I going to march over there and demand that they keep them quiet and play fetch with them? No way. If their dog barking on their property annoys me, that's my problem, not theirs.

 

[jjthink]

Will attempt to explain why I fall somewhere in the middle.

I believe in treating any beings in my care as I would like to be treated if I had come to the earth as them. I don't care what species it is, feeling that all (non evil) living beings deserve joy and peace and to be cared for and about (no amount of preaching will convince me otherwise so those who think humans should always trump all, save your energy

). For all in my care this means providing food that I myself would not turn my nose up at (I have many a time been munching on a chocolate bar while feeding my feathered friends gorgeous organic berries and other such delights). It means good medical care when ill or injured. It means very clean digs, clean like I could sleep there myself without getting the heebie jeebies. It means not overly hot or overly cold, so they are not miserable at either end of the spectrum while I reside in comfort in the 'big house' (ha! it's a humble cape!). It means ample outdoor space so they can have fun and not be bored to death. It means showing them that they are loved, whether that's via a gentle touch, hand feeding or whatever else makes them happy. And for me personally and for the sake of my nearby neighbors, it means an attractive coop. It's not fancy but it's pleasant. If I had the time I would enjoy being more creative about it, but I just don't.

I do as much as I possibly can for charitable causes that touch me the most. I have a public service job so my resources are limited. If I had a lot more money, I would not for the most part be buying material stuff with it. I would be doing more to save land like rain forests or opening animal shelters or taking other actions that I believe would make the world a better place. I would turn some of it inward to help my parents who are caring for my disabled brother. I admit I am more judgmental than some posting here because I do feel frustration when I see folks do little other than buy cars and steroidal houses and clothes and jewelry etc. Not because I feel I deserve any of their money - I most certainly don't. But because I wish they were moved to do something with all that money that could change the world for the better. However, it's their perogative to do what they want. Everytime someone wins the lottery big, I listen to hear what their plans are and I almost never hear anything other than - houses, cars, vacations. I yearn to win the lottery big because I have a very long list of wonderful things I would do with the money, none of it related to buying me more stuff (I stink at the lottery though - virtually never even get one number right!). I will end by saying I am by no means perfect at this noble thing, not even close. I indulge daily in (too much) very good chocolate, and take out or pre-prepared foods because I don't have a blessed minute to be domestic , along with a few other creature comforts (antiques...) that I could do without but choose not to. These things cost money yet seem to have some merit beyond their very existence, adding some good cheer to a hard day or week or set of circumstances, and thus providing a bit of an uplift.

So there I am, somewhere in the middle. Time to go get me some chocolate...

JJ

 

[SandyK]

Some people should abide by the saying, if you can't say anything nice, please don't say it. (I try, but always don't make it). I absolutely love all the beautiful coops on the BYC forum that people have posted. In fact, I love seeing all of the different coops here. They have put their time and effort into creating something special to them. Who is anyone to judge another?? Why would you want to make them feel bad?? It makes no sense to me. For the most part, this is a great forum where everyone is so helpful and considerate. Chicken people are really great people!! I guess there will always be the rotten egg that comes along to cause trouble once in a while.

 

[nuttyredhead]

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Well Said!

 

[Zahboo]

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The money they used to build those high end coops was well earned. They aren't taking welfare checks to home depot. They got out there and did dirty jobs and sweated for every penny instead of sitting under a balcony panhandling.

 

[mlorne]

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Why does it have to be one or the other? Really, I just can't understand the polarity that this discussion seems to bring out. On the one hand we have people spending their hard earned money in whatever way the see fit because it is their right to do so. On the other hand, we have lazy good for nothings milking society. Does this extreme really exist in the U.S. or is it a convenient simplification? {Please don't flame, this is a genuine question}.

 

[Beekissed]

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I really don't see where the OP said anything mean at all. He was just voicing one perspective and I didn't see anywhere that he was insulting people with nice coops. I rather think he was perplexed at the over and above, beyond merely functionally neat and cute, and was wondering where people drew the line between nice and just plain silly. And I really don't think he voiced his perspective to make others feel bad, he was just starting a discussion.

I, myself, love looking at the pretty coops that people build...its interesting and pleasing to the eye. But sometimes the lengths folks go to pamper their pets leave me scratching my head also and thinking of so many ways that money and time could be spent on helping another human being. Of course, I feel the same way about the salaries of professional sports figures and the whole NASCAR thingy....but then, that's just me.