KarenW Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I'm getting lots of mixed reactions from people when I've said we're getting chickens (mainly negative to be honest ). My conversation with my mum went something like this: 'Ooh, Mum, guess what we're getting?' 'Erm, don't know...a new car?' 'Chickens!' 'You what??' 'Chickens!!' 'What? Chickens?' 'Yes, chickens, hens, eggs, you know bok bok ' 'Yes Karen I know what a ****** chicken is!' ....and it sort of went downhill from there I've had a couple of positive reactions and genuine interest, but most people have instantly informed me that they either stink, or will completely ruin my garden, or make so much noise my neighbours will end up hating me etc etc So was wondering what reactions you've all had? Have people who were initially negative changed their minds when they've actually seen them? Or is it the eggs that win people over in the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 People are used to it by now People do say things, but its the same with smelly dogs that poo all over the garden etc... It's all lies Eggs will win them over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Love that dialogue . To be honest, I didn't get much negative reaction, more bemused & puzzled . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakes Chick Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I have had a similar expeiance with a few people. I have had my chickens for 48 hours now and they are fab and so more worth while than rabbits etc! They do poo more than I expected but it isn't smelly and not a problem. One is even taking corn out of my hand! xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Dont let them make you doubt yourself!!! They will love them as much as you will! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seraphine Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 We've had mainly positive reactions, but then our immediate families are mostly 'good life' types! Our neighbours either side (we're semi detached) were both fine when we told them we were getting chickens, "so long as there's no cockerels" - natch I *am* concerned about the potential noise if I'm honest, but will have to cross that bridge when/if we come to it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangarooby Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 All I got from family on both sides was negatives - they're noisy, they stink. you'll be overrun iwth rats, they'll attack the children, they'll attack visitors. My sister has seen the pics and reckons they "look" viscious - says she with teh budie who'd have your hand off sooner than look at you. Ont he plus side, they DON'T stink, AREN'T noisy, haven't attacked a single person (and why would they?!), as for rats - one word - BAIT! Friends reactions have ranged from uber-enthuiasm to a polite "oh, right?" but then I'm known among my friends for being a bit "unusual" LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Yep, I got lots of that too, along with 'you will get rats', 'the noise will make the neighbours complain' and (strangest of all) 'you will end up with the council telling you to get rid of the cockeral. When I explained tht I wouldn't be getting a cockerel, they asked how I expected to get eggs However, the flip side is. I got LOTS of positive comments too, from the very neighbours I was told I would upset. The mums at school are very interested in them, the children love them, I am going to have some preschool children to visit, my children are learning about where food comes from. The eggs are delicious and most importantly, my chickens are great fun and give me a sense of peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Everyone just went 'Honest? That's typical you!' :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I mostly had positive reactions, most people just tutted, rolled their eyes and said 'typical' dont know what they mean by that I'm just known as 'the crazy chicken lady' now They never turn their noses up at the lovely eggs tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenW Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Well I've not had any comments about rats yet - I'll be waiting for that one now It has sparked a lot of interest at work though, chickens have been the main subject of conversation for about 2 weeks now A couple of people have even said that they'd like some themselves and so they're going to wait and see how I get on...eek now I feel under pressure to be a super chicken-mum I think it will be fab for the kids to have pets and get some idea of where food comes from. As far as my little boy is now concerned chickens=eggs=cakes so he can't wait Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 When I explained tht I wouldn't be getting a cockerel, they asked how I expected to get eggs Oh yes! I get that all the time My friend who is applying for vet school said it too. I just looked at him and I think he got the message I also aggree about the idea of kids knowing where food comes from. I can waffle about this for days The same friend didn't know what an abbattoir was. I've had many a "discussion" in Biology about how kids should know where food comes from - not the supermarket *steps down from box* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Rats vermin smell...honeslty no trouble at all. Easiest pet I have ever had! I reckon a hamster is more bother than a chicken..my dog is more time consuming. With the ease of Omlet housing its a doddle...The most time I spend doing anything for them cleaning wise is once they are in at night I get the broom and have a quick sweep up and make sure water is topped up(usually every 3 days). Sort feeder/grit out for the following day...and just let them out in the morning. Occassional s"Ooops, word censored!"s when i am around. Takes 5 minutes No trouble at all and I cant keep up with the requests for the eggs(prized gold) You really wont regret it indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Funny how the people with the strongest opinions often haven't come within a foot of a live chicken ever!! I got some very mixed responses, but all my neighbours loved my girls, and one of them is allergic to eggs so it wasn't bribery that did it! another neighbour commented that she loved hearing my girls chatting because she felt like she lived in the country! And I used to worry about how much noise Mango made, but had to tell one neighbour I'd had to have the girls put to sleep - a month earlier. So obviously the noise was far less of an issue than I'd ever imagined! Never had a problem in over three years with vermin or smells. they're such gorgeous pets, really rewarding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I've always had positive responses. People seem genuinely interested. I have held many a supermarket queue enthralled when asked why I am buying 12 tins of sweetcorn. They get a mini chicken keeping course in response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I mostly had positive reactions, most people just tutted, rolled their eyes and said 'typical' dont know what they mean by that I'm just known as 'the crazy chicken lady' now They never turn their noses up at the lovely eggs tho Snap except I get 'mad chicken lady' from work, friends and some family.. but always ask for eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 When I explained tht I wouldn't be getting a cockerel, they asked how I expected to get eggs Oh yes! I get that all the time My friend who is applying for vet school said it too. I just looked at him and I think he got the message I also aggree about the idea of kids knowing where food comes from. I can waffle about this for days The same friend didn't know what an abbattoir was. I've had many a "discussion" in Biology about how kids should know where food comes from - not the supermarket *steps down from box* Is there room on that box for two? I'm often up there as well, we should bring a flask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleleicesterfox Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I depends who I tell. Most of my friends know I'm a bit odd and this seems a natural extension of my oddness but a lot of them are genuinely interested and I have a list of willing volunteers to come and chicken-sit when I go away! Otherwise, a couple of my neighbours seemed a bit bemused but I reassured them that there wasn't going to be a rooster hence little or no noise and because I had rabbits and dogs already there shouldn't be any additional issues with smell or vermin. I haven't told one side though because I don't especially get on with them after they objected to the planning permission for our conservatory (for reasons that the planning officer who visited called 'frivolous') and they're dead noisy and irritating themselves. They're never in though so I doubt they'll notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redranger Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 We've had mostly positive responses too, a couple of "I don't quite get the chicken thing" responses, which is fair enough. I'm only interested in people who show an interest, and ignore the rest One friend thinks it's disgusting we eat the eggs that come 'from their bums'... honestly, where does she think eggs come from??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 We've had mostly positive responses too, a couple of "I don't quite get the chicken thing" responses, which is fair enough. I'm only interested in people who show an interest, and ignore the rest One friend thinks it's disgusting we eat the eggs that come 'from their bums'... honestly, where does she think eggs come from??!! We only eat the hygenic ones the egg fairy brings us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I think the negative thoughts come from people who have never had any contact with chickens before. Both my parents were eager to see the girls and both said as long as you look after them properly they won't pong like a farmyard (which is more down to cow pongs or piggy pongs), but MIL was (as usual) negative - but then she hates anything I do - in particular the idea of moving into a rural area, then our idea of moving to a smallholding is really stupid according to her. Thanks Katieadams - I now have Rolf Harris going round my head with "room on my box for two"! Plus our neighbours (with the rabid dog that went for DS the other week and missed) didn't know until their DD was cutting the hedge and saw them. The other side went frantic (but then they can see into some of our garden from their upstairs windows) by adding mini wooden stake fencing to the bottom of our fence - rather stupid because my orpies are never getting through a half inch gap - neither can the chicks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Oi you two - that's MY box! I've given up talking about them at work - the men just aren't interested. All the others (except my chicken friends) are just puzzled. I mean; why on earth would anyone keep chickens as pets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 where does she think eggs come from??!! Supermarkets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 My conversation with my parent went something like "Guess What!! We are getting Chickens!" "Well don't expect us to look after them when you go away!" And guess where the chickens are going when we go away? Yep, to my parents... Who I think are looking forward to it more then we are looking forward to our holiday! They are very proud of their garden - but are actually "growing" dandelions just for the chooks to eat... So people change their minds VERY quickly once they meet the chickens, and realise that they are NOT evil, do not attack, don't smell, do have their own personalities, are wonderfully nosey and hilarious to watch as they potter around the garden!! And once they have eaten their eggs, they are totally smitten! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Thanks Katieadams - I now have Rolf Harris going round my head with "room on my box for two"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
