brako101 Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 For a couple of weeks now I have researching chickens and trying to persuade my parent's to let us keep a couple in the garden. I managed to persuade my mum but can't persuade my dad any tips for persuading reluctant parents/OHs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 hi, Perseverence! Keep at it but also show your Dad you are ready for some responsibility. Ask your MUM for some ideas for extra responsibility. REassure your Dad about how simple it is to keep chickens, as you say, you have reasearched. And show your Dad how everyone on here totally adores chicken keeping, they are fascinating. GOOD LUCK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 It can be expensive with the initial outlay so break it down. Offer to spend Xmas/ Birthday money on the run/coop. Do you know anyone who has hens? Can you visit and get hands on experience looking after them. Do you have other pet you can look after to show you are committed? Good luck. Hope you manage to change his mind. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Maybe show him images from the BHWT website? That did it for me. I then went and adopted a couple of exbatts. It's all Jamie Oliver, Jimmy Doherty and Hugh F Wittinstall's fault 'cause now I'm hooked on chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Free eggs! Thats what did it for me, (well, they're not really free with the cost of food and all that, but shhhh, you dont need to say that!) I read somewhere that if you own 4 laying hens you can save up to £240 on eggs a year! (I'd like to get myself some of those hens!) And also perseverence, but so long as its subtle. When you go shopping with your parents or are eating a boiled egg for breakfast try by saying 'wouldn't it be nice if these were our own eggs' or 'look at the price of those free range eggs! they'd be free if we had a couple of our own hens...' Its also a good idea to research everything possible on the topic of chickens so that you know so much about them, it would be weird for you not to own some! Good luck and I hope it goes well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Not sure where you are in the world, but see if you can get hold of some really fresh eggs - a farm shop or something - so he can taste the difference between those and the shop bought ones. Or arrange to go on one of the Omlet courses and take your Dad along so he can here from someone else what is involved, and validate what you have been saying? Otherwise, agree about the extra responsibility thing. Take on additional jobs around the house for a while to prove you are serious? Took me 2 or 3 years to convince my OH - even married him before he said yes - and now he is more besotted then me!! I am not suggesting you marry your own father though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Do you know why your Dad is objecting? Is it down to him questioning your commitment or is it because he is worried about the garden? If it is the first then you could offer to holiday sit for some local chicken owners when they are on holiday. I'm sure if you posted your services on here someone would need you. That gives you hands on experience and also demonstrated you are responsible. If it is the latter then you can show him some lovely WIRs that people have made so that the hens don't need to run havoc in the garden. Good luck and if you succeed you have some very lovely accommodating parents. I know my parents would not have let me have hens at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Like the others say keep at it but also be realistic so when he brings up the usual arguments against hens i.e. rats, smell, noise etc., agree with him but say you have been reading about it and its not a problem if you keep them clean, put food away, change water daily etc., so he knows you are taking it seriously. You need to do all the learning first as well so you are prepared for how much care they need and how much they poo. They are a responsibility and you can't just leave them to get on with it but it's very rewarding and you'll find them such fun. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 If my kids want something I usually do a deal. Could you strike one with your dad like clearing up after dinner for 1 month or something similar? also, ask him what his concerns are about keeping hens and do your research so you can give him reassurance. Good luck, but at the end of the day, it is your parents' house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaysie86 Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 I live in a home which I rent from my parents and I'm 24, so this may be a bit different to your case. Sometimes I get "crazy" ideas which my parents don't share (I have 3 cats, they have none etc etc). I wanted my girls and spoke to my mum who admits saying No to me is hard so she said she'd speak to my dad. My dad thought I was mental, he laughed at me a lot which obviously hurt but I kept my case up. He thought you need a cockeral for the girls which living in a built up area like me is not possible. I put him straight on that and showed him a book on keeping chickens. I did my research and answered back any questions he fired at me. Eventually he caved and said that if I have chickens and the neighbours complained I had to get rid of them. So far no complaints and 3 very happy ex-bats are enjoying their retirement in my garden. So dont give up if its whats you really want, I recommend getting a book from the library on chicken keeping and keep talking about it. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 I had the same problem! First of all, just buy the bare necessities (eglu, chicken, food...) so it won't be too expensive, then once you have them buy things after because I'm sure your parents wont refuse a cute little chicken! And talk about the benefits of eggs, and the chicken poo is a good fertilizer My parents love them now we have them... even though at first it was only me who wanted them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 How about asking for a pony instead of chickens? Then maybe they'll think chickens are the cheaper alternative? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalin Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Personally I built my own house and run out of salvaged wood which is a lot cheaper, you can do it all for very little money if you are a bit patient. The key I think as plum says is to be realistic and show your parents that you really are considering the reality of it and It's not just a crazy idea. Know your stuff, do lots and lots of research. Also your dad may not realize how wonderful they are, I spent months showing my partner clips of them on youtube and telling him how funny they are! Try and get him interested and you probably need to assure them that the responsibility wont just fall down to them. Think about what will happen when you're not there etc. Good luck, hope you join the chickeny world soon!! You're in the right place for boundless support and information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Tie him to a chair and refuse to release him until he gives in? The other posts are right, perserverance is key (but not so much that it drives him mad) but also wowing him by your vast chicken knowledge will definitely quash any doubts he has. Good luck and keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Jane Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 How about asking for a pony instead of chickens? Then maybe they'll think chickens are the cheaper alternative? I wonder what to ask for if its a pony you really want ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Talk about it non stop - it worked for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissSilkie Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 The only person that needed convincing in my house as my mum. My dad was happy for me to keep hens The main thing was showing that I was responsible and able to do stuff. My mum finally said yes as long as she had nothing to do with looking after them (cleaning etc.) I hope you get them. Hannah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brako101 Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Thanks for all the advice! I think he is too stubborn to change is mind, and also my auntie has chickens and i dont think he wants to be seen to copy her but i'll keep pestering him! However i'm hoping he is just saying no to wind me up and on xmas morning there will be an eglu under the tree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Does your aunt live near you? If she does spend as much time over there helping to look after them as you can. Do all the dirty jobs. Keep a file and diary so that you can collect information and leave it about so that he can see it. Get books from the library and/or ask for specific books for Christmas and brithdays. Ask for Poultry news subscription for Christmas or buy it each month, my local Tesco sell it and I live in London. Go on a course when the weather gets better. Start saving every penny and offer to work around the home and garden to earn extra money. Keep at it, it took my OH sometime to cave in but cave in he eventually did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
