Why are people so weird?

[Svaness]

My issue with some people is that I'm very proud of our eggs and love to share them with others so when they look disgusted when I offer them eggs and treat them as of they are dirty or somehow less desirable than store bought eggs its pretty offensive.

 

[Chickassan]

I tell people if you want eggs you have to bring a carton I don't have any.
This is a bold faced LIE. I do.
Thing is this is the only way I can ever keep cartons, most the cartons people "scrounge up" are ones they didn't return previously.
So i'm a liar, but i'm a liar with three or four egg cartons.

All I really want is my cartons back! Or bring me your extra grocery store cartons that you throw away! My chickens are going to lay way more than I can ever use. I'm happy to share. BUT MY CARTONS!

 

[IamRainey]

There's someone in my area who charges $10/dozen for her eggs. I don't know if she actually has buyers but a dozen ethically raised commercial eggs (if that's possible) in Los Angeles goes for upward of $3.50/dozen in the grocery stores.

 

[Sequel]

You know, if you sell your eggs and you expect your family and friends to pay as well you might say something like "I get $_ a dozen for those when I sell them but if I give them to you it will cost me that $_. How about we split the difference and you give me $_ for a dozen every (week/2 weeks/month) because the feed that costs me $___ for the same period is what turns into those eggs?"

Maybe they'll resent it, but you seem to resent giving away free eggs so maybe that makes it a push anyway.

Why do people you know (friends/family) expect their eggs for FREE??

Maybe I'm the only one with the problem, but I've had several people (people who I do work business with, siblings) just want eggs for free. Don't even offer me any money. My fault for allowing it a couple times. I don't anymore - but WHY??

I had somebody just hand me a carton this morning wanting eggs. She didn't give me any $$, maybe (hopefully) she will have some when she comes back to get them.

Also, I ask clients to return my cartons, I even have a stamp inside that says "Please return carton", have I gotten any back? Nope. I have a family who buys 3 dozen a week and has 6 of my empty egg cartons. Next time she wants some, I will be reminding her I need those cartons back. Never would've thought I'd have any issues!

Okay, rant over

Chickens are expensive! Fortunately for me, everyone I know was following our coop build, from fencing to lumber etc and they all know each egg produced is worth at least $50. LOL The cost of the bird itself is minute compared to the rest. Not to mention the months of weekends building, hanging and burying hardware cloth... Oh and the vet bills!

As far as the moochers go, it's tough trying to navigate relationships with family and friends, but if you're feeling taken advantage of, then you have to have some structure to avoid being victimized. If it's people stopping by, perhaps a sign with the price you think is appropriate. If there are good paying customers who pay without complaint, then build your cartons into the price so you are covered. There's no such thing as a free lunch so there are no free eggs. Someone is paying for them, and it shouldn't always be you. It's best to be as up front as possible without making a mess of otherwise good relationships. That's the tricky part I think.

 

[IamRainey]

I look at it differently.

I knew going in that construction would be expensive. After all, we had to hire a carpenter since neither my husband nor I should be trusted with anything sharper than a screwdriver. We're elderly and will NEVER amortize the cost of our coop in eggs. That was never a secret.

Nevertheless, we wanted eggs and think of our chickens as pets. ALL our pets cost us money. Nothing unique about chickens there. They just happen to pay us back in breakfast. ...something the dog and the cat just can't be talked into. :: shrug ::

So, knowing it was going to be an expense and accepting that fact at the outset, I am happy to share my eggs. Just like I notify everyone I know if chicks are going to be hatching. There are some things that are just too good not to share!

 

[jaxonann]

I look at it differently.

Nevertheless, we wanted eggs and think of our chickens as pets. ALL our pets cost us money. Nothing unique about chickens there. They just happen to pay us back in breakfast. ...something the dog and the cat just can't be talked into. :: shrug ::

My cat paid me back once (just not breakfast)- he left me a nice gift in a box of laundry detergent. I switched to liquid detergent after that.

 

[IamRainey]

 

[TooCheep]

My issue with some people is that I'm very proud of our eggs and love to share them with others so when they look disgusted when I offer them eggs and treat them as of they are dirty or somehow less desirable than store bought eggs its pretty offensive.

If they could only see how factory-raised chickens are treated vs. most backyard owners.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

They just happen to pay us back in breakfast. ...something the dog and the cat just can't be talked into. :: shrug::

Cats and Dogs are just walking poop factories. If they weren't so lovable I doubt anyone would ever want one. Its become the American ideal to have a pet. It used to be land...but they arent making any more of it.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

My cat paid me back once (just not breakfast)- he left me a nice gift in a box of laundry detergent. I switched to liquid detergent after that.

My dog paid me the other day. I was working on tricks with her only to find out she's not motivated by treats. She's motivated by people and things. I had taken away her toys to wash them because she had giardia. Now that shes better I gave them back and she did a trick for each one. Well a couple of weeks ago I was carrying around a small bag of treats for training her. It disappeared. I figured I misplaced it or dropped it in the woods. I went downstairs after training her and came back upstairs because she was barking. There on the couch, covered in slobber, was the bag of treats. My dog is a thief and she paid me back for her toys with her stolen goods!!!