Imo Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 No doubt someone has posted something like this before, but I'm going for it anyway.... How have your friends and families reacted to your hens? I really noticed a turn around in my boyfriend actually - when we started going out, I still had Gertrude and Florence pottering around. He comes from quite a rural village, so he was quite amused that we only kept two hens, just for the pure pleasure of it [and, of course, for the lovely eggs ], and didn't want much to do with them. But quite a change has occured! Last week, when poor Fifi took a turn for the worst, my parents were away and he was the only one around. He was more than happy to come to the vets with me; I drove, while he had Fifi in a basket on his lap. He kept talking to her and comforting her, and even insisted on coming in to the vets room when she had to be put down and giving her lots of strokes and fuss. So he's really come round to the idea of hens - and believe me, to look at him, you'd never guess he was so fond of my chookies However, other friends and family really don't get it. Some kind even understand how a hen could be cuddly, and physically won't touch or stroke them because they hate the feel of the feathers! And of course lots of people say they're completely brainless - now, I know a hen isn't likely to join MENSA anytime soon [though it would be amusing... ], but they aren't completely brainless!! People don't give them enough intellectual credit in my opinion. Anyway - anyone else have something to say on the matter?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I encountered raised eyebrows and shaking of mystified heads to start with but now friends, family and neighbours are fascinated.....and pleased to get eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imo Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 I suppose the tasty eggs can sway some people over to chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 my OH did not want anything to do with my hens but when the fox attacked & killed 3 of them he was so good to my surviving hen & checked she had not broken anything, he fed her every day when I was unable to after an op on my ankle & was concerned that she was on her own & this week end insisted I order some more from omlet to keep her company when I couldn't get any more ex batts - big softie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Everyone I know think I am completely barmy for keeping chickens and that includes OH and children. Jack and Natalie have nothing to do with them and neither does OH (apart from letting them out in the morning once when I was ill). OH did build me a huge run, but that was for me not the chickens. I've never seen any of them stop and talk to them when they are in the garden. Only the other day I was watching OH and both children walk past the run, none of the chickens batted an eyelid but as soon as I walk into the garden they go mad clucking and bokking. My mum thinks we are all going to die from bird flu. My family are strange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imo Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 I never thought of that one before Ali - my mum and I both natter away to the chickens when we go outside, and they're such company when you're gardening, but my dad isn't so keen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My DH was incredibly enthusiastic when we first got our chickens, he said 'this is one of the best ideas you have ever had' Three weeks on when the novelty had worn off he pretty much ignored them and all the daily care etc., falls to me. However I suspect much of his indifference is due to the fact that they have completely trashed his precious garden and lawn, and we are going to have to re-turf and start again but as I type he is out in the garden in the almost twilight laying the paving stones for their new run, so he must care a bit, or is it all about re-claiming his garden back? Hmmmm. My children and friends think it is fabulous and always ask after my girls when I speak to them. Tessa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Everyone thought I was mad too. Don't know what gave them that impression. Now OH, my parents and most of my friends and colleagues all ask after 'the girls'. I am known as the crazy chicken man on short haul! *shrugs shoulders* Don't care. I love keeping chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My husband absolutly wouldnt have anything to do with animals for years. It made our home just a house. I was used to having a house full of animals so it made things quite strange. When i suggested that we have chickens it still took him 6 months to come round to the idea. It was the eggs that finally swayed him. Members of family have been mixed to say the least. The kids love them, my parents are understanding and very happy to get eggs. Husbands parents and family have been OK but you can see the look in their eye that says 'weirdos!'. Husband really loves them now, by the way. Sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My Dad I think would be quite keen, he certainly has enough space - it would be the next step on from his veg garden. But my Stepmum wouldn't consider it. My brother, my OH and all his family think I am completely barking. Nothing new there then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Everyone thinks we are bonkers. we get a lot of this I think chickens are gorgeous and cuddly but other people simply can not see it! I agree that chickens are very underestimated. They've kind of changed our life really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 well, my DH is quite keen on them- he chats to them and thinks they are amusing (except for when he's digging- then he lifts them up in the air on his spade!!), he also opens the eglu door if he's first up... my children also like them and have played out in the garden so much more since we've got them (even though its been Winter) so that's a really positive thing. my parents didn't really know what to think, but having seen them a few times they are surprised at how inquisitive the hens are, and they kept checking for eggs when they were last here! as for friends and work colleagues- its a mixture of jealousy (I know quite a few people who would like some), bemusement (that's usually people who grew up with chickens on farms), and interest. MIL thinks we are mad and just doesn't "get it" but then she hasn't seen them yet- she'll change her mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hubby doesn't like picking the chickens up. When he was younger, his parents kept geese, chickens, ducks, goats, etc. He used to get frightened when they flapped (not the goats!) and it sort of put him off but he was supportive over getting the hens and he does like them. His parents think that snuggling them is a bit mad and his Dad moans that the shells are too tough (he wasn't impressed when I told him about the limestone flour). My Dad has shown the strangest reaction. At first he thought that we were mad but he often drives over to our house when we are at work and sits talking to the girls. Sometimes he telephones and invites himself for dinner the next day and then he turns up before we go to work. He always makes the same excuse, 'Thought I'd come over early, Queen and let the girls have a run round'. They don't complain and neither do I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I am known as the crazy chicken man on short haul! Just on short haul - i thought it was all over BA!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Most of my friends don't really get it, although they love the eggs - none of them would dream of keeping chickens. I have one friend who is really into it, she would like hens herself but her garden is too small and too exposed, but she is my fallback for feeding/help with any problems. When she was doing freelance work she used to come over to my house and let them out. Most of my family think I am a bit mad (but they have thought that for years!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Jack and Natalie have nothing to do with them and neither does OH (apart from letting them out in the morning once when I was ill). OH did build me a Him Indoors and the boy once each fed and watered the hens when I did my back in and could barely carry a cup of tea, never mind a watering can full of water! Oh....and they collected the eggs. You would have thought I had sent them on an outward bound expedition, not a gentle stroll just a few yards up the garden. I won't mention the brimming poo trays in case anyone is eating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Most of my friends don't have ANY pets - apart from the one who is into chickens, who has four cats. They are not used to dealing with animal bodily functions. Animals do keep you in touch with reality. My life would be very sterile if I didn't have the cat/chickens (although sometimes I think it would be a lot easier! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Well i am only 2 weeks into it but my neighbour and hers are very jealous lol and wish they could have some! Family, hubby will let them out in the morning but doubt he talks to them, kids are 17,18 and 21 so they have WAY to much else going on, i didn't expect any help only that the kids would look after them if we were away. i can see in laws , mum understands as her mum had them in the war, though she is scared stiff of birds in enclosed spaces as theirs were in a shed and she walked in once and they flew at her. Friends are interested, my sister thinks i'm mad but she thinks recycling is for weirdos I don't really care what they think as long as the neighbours are ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 We're either all nuts, or all sane then! My girls have trashed our garden, but they're lovely, the same as our lovely cats, that my OH hated, but he feeds them every day, and goes out looking for them if they dont come in at night!! The hens are loved by us all, including Blossom, our randy tortoise, when he eventually wakes up!! We seem to have spent an awful lot of money on fencing though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strepsy Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Ugh, I had loads of negative reactions. Well apart from hubby who it has taken years to convince (and he's won over already now we've got them ) a lot of people just bemused and some very anti. I just really don't understand, especially from older people like my f-i-l. I mean everyone used to keep chickens, people had to. My grandad was a miner, he always had hens and grew his own vegetables at the end of the garden, I don't know how the concept ended up so alien. My Mum was very supportive, just wish she was still here for me to give our first egg to, and my neighbour has been really supportive so that's nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateP Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My Mum and Dad thought I was mad at first but they came round to visit the first day that we had the chickens and changed their minds straight away. They love looking after them when we are on holiday and my Mum always goes straight to the patio doors to watch them when she comes round. It took a bit of convincing my OH and I do most of the work (which I promised to do when he agreed to get them!). He pretends he's not bothered but I watched him the other evening when he went to shut them in and he was chatting to them and made sure that the egg port and eglu doors were very securely shut before coming back into the house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My OH really likes the chooks and opens the cube every morning because he gets up before me. He also shuts it at night when he goes outside to get the dogs' food. He does talk to them a bit and seemed to enjoy all the "help" he had preparing the ground for the new run. The day to day care is down to me though but he would help if asked. DS1 doesn't get them at all but DS2 who is generally more of an animal lover quite likes them and looked after them when we went away. Quite a few friends have said they'd like to keep chickens too but a few people just add it to the list of reasons why I'm a weirdo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 When I first told my mum that I was getting chooks she went That was 3 years ago............now she loves them, wants some of her own when she retires, worries about them when they are ill, will pop in if I'm out all day so they can a run around the garden and even changed her hair appointment the other week so she could come with me to choose which chooks to order for the summer My neighbours love them (and the eggs) and love to pop in to see them Friends are still divided.......some think they are great and are even considering getting some and others still just think I've gone mad (nothing new there ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My DH is still a bit bemused - when I told him I wanted chickens, and that his saying that he liked the contented sounds they make had clinched it for me, his reaction was "OMG, I'd better watch what I say in future!" OTOH he is very taken by the new pekins, and was a lot more depressed than me when Mrs Miggins died. Men, huh? Now he says he wants to keep bees... Teenage son is predictably "whatever" Friends and colleagues are divided between the ones who think I'm the mad chicken lady and the ones who have chickens themselves (one of them had an eglu before I did, though I didn't know - I just knew she had chickens)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My colleagues come in 2 varieties - those who show no interest whatsoever and those who ask every Monday morning "how's the chickens?". (Guess which ones get the eggs .) Most of my friends are bemused. OH lets them out and puts out the grub/glug. ES (15) happily lets them out of the run & puts them back in and often brings one indoors for a cuddle . YS (13) is keen to collect eggs but doesn't do a lot else . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
