pips_pekins Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just mentioned we are getting chickens to inlaws and was not expecting the reaction this news received I usually get on really well with them and am amazed by this. Of course, I was blamed as their DS must have been pressured into agreeing to something which is going to be more work and expense. Anyone else received such anti chicken views when telling family? I don't like upsetting them but it is too late to change .our plans now as cube and WIR are bought and paid for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieD Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 They will soon change their mind when they want some eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Chickens are amazing pets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 why would it upset them? A bit of a strange reaction. My inlaws cant complain as they put money towards the cube for my birthday But MIL isnt a fan of chickens, well birds in general but I had good reception. to be honest i would care if they were bothered by it, ive wanted hens for a long time. I wouldnt worry. I am sure they will come round, if not who cares? just enjoy your chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 (edited) Well don't take any notice. You are both adults with your own lives. You have bought and paid for the chickens and cube etc yourselves. I have kept chickens for many many years - my first I bought more than 35 years ago - 4 dozen - and they were not a lot of work then - no 'fancy housing' then - just home made chicken coup, and run. Nowadays with just a dozen chickens, a cube (having had Eglus years ago first) and an extended run - they truly are so easy to keep. I am 'old' now, with health problems, but I can still easily clean out the cube, extended run in less than an hour (which includes sitting down time, and distractions looking at the chickens freeranging. I have adult sons, and stepsons in their 40's and wouldn't dream on commenting on whatever decisions they made I wonder how your inlaws would have reacted if their inlaws years ago had told them how to live their lives. Ooops - sorry - ranting on your behalf. Carry on with your plans - don't try and justify your plans - and just you wait and see, by the summer they will be eating their words - as well as your chickens eggs xx Edited March 10, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just mentioned we are getting chickens to inlaws and was not expecting the reaction this news received I usually get on really well with them and am amazed by this. Of course, I was blamed as their DS must have been pressured into agreeing to something which is going to be more work and expense. Anyone else received such anti chicken views when telling family? I don't like upsetting them but it is too late to change .our plans now as cube and WIR are bought and paid for. If my MIL was still alive that's exactly the reaction I would have had Doubt if it would have mattered if you had said chickens or giraffes, some people just like to be anti everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EggstraSpecialHens Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just mentioned we are getting chickens to inlaws and was not expecting the reaction this news received I usually get on really well with them and am amazed by this. Of course, I was blamed as their DS must have been pressured into agreeing to something which is going to be more work and expense. Anyone else received such anti chicken views when telling family? I don't like upsetting them but it is too late to change .our plans now as cube and WIR are bought and paid for. Yes, my mother "ooh you'll have rats and the foxes will get them".Oh you can't have chickens, think of the mess and the smell, blah blah blah blah blah". Well mother we did get them and yes we still haven't told you. Whole family are sworn to secrecy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EggstraSpecialHens Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Well don't take any notice. You are both adults with your own lives. You have bought and paid for the chickens and cube etc yourselves. I have kept chickens for many many years - my first I bought more than 55 years ago - 4 dozen - and they were not a lot of work then - no 'fancy housing' then - just home made chicken coup, and run. Nowadays with just a dozen chickens, a cube (having had Eglus years ago first) and an extended run - they truly are so easy to keep. I am 'old' now, with health problems, but I can still easily clean out the cube, extended run in less than an hour (which includes sitting down time, and distractions looking at the chickens freeranging.) I have adult sons, and stepsons in their 40's and wouldn't dream on commenting on whatever decisions they made I wonder how your inlaws would have reacted if their inlaws years ago had tell them how to live their lives. Ooops - sorry - ranting on your behalf. Carry on with your plans - don't try and justify your plans - and just you wait and see, by the summer they will be eating their words - as well as your chickens eggs xx You sound like a very lovely lady! Personally, it took me a long time of wanting them and being told no or you shouldn't. I am so glad I did! Don't think I will ever go back to a henless life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Doubt if it would have mattered if you had said chickens or giraffes, some people just like to be anti everything You are probably right! Although they are not usually anti things, just anti pets. As always, thanks for all the support, I know you are all right in what you say and I know that MIL is saying these things out of concern. I just hope they are now not proved right Cube arriving tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just mentioned we are getting chickens to inlaws and was not expecting the reaction this news received I usually get on really well with them and am amazed by this. Of course, I was blamed as their DS must have been pressured into agreeing to something which is going to be more work and expense. Anyone else received such anti chicken views when telling family? I don't like upsetting them but it is too late to change .our plans now as cube and WIR are bought and paid for. I couldn't give a fig about my outlaws opinions I married their son not them My life, My money, My Garden, MY chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Ooops - sorry - ranting on your behalf. Please don't apologise - your rant is much appreciated. It is great to be able to get on to the forum and get the views of such sensible people who know what they are talking about through experience. And I certainly didn't want to make things worse by moaning at OH about his parents! After a difficult day at work, I really didn't need to come home to an argument! Reading everyone's posts is a great pickmeup though (that and the cupcake I have just made disappear ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 sensible people who know what they are talking about Sensible people? Who might that be then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 And what business is it of theirs anyway ? You won't regret your decision . Chickens are fab pets and can only enrich your life . (Although they do poo a heck of a lot .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I mentioned to my MIL that I was thinking about it and was told that I was totally mad, that I was just adding to the amount of work I already had to do i.e. care for 3 kids, 4 fish tanks and her son. Due to mental health problems I can't work, I'm confined to the house all day I need things to do that I can do with the kids. Ignore your inlaws and enjoy your chickens. My inlaws are "anti pet people" too, my hubby never had a pet growing up and he's very "anti pet" and I'm positive that's why. I'm also convinced that's why he's so untidy!? Never having had to clean up after anything before!? Just a theory. Lorna X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Sure you are right Lorna. You have to live your life your way and not have them dictate things to you. Your choices, your mistakes and your joys and rewards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Am struggling to understand how they feel they have some input into your decision. Ignore them and go ahead and get the hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I didnt tell my aunt as she has an opinion on everything - and hoped she wouldnt notice them - but on Christmas Day when they came down their hamper had some eggs in it and they were very intersted in the hens - icey garden prevented a proper look. I am still recovering from shock animals are known to help with things like depression etc - if you want a small zoo and its not annoying anyone else go for it. A lot of my elederly patients have cats or dogs its a reason to get up in the morning - sad I know but its part of life now. Do what you want - its your life your money and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Was the small zoo comment aimed at me Ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Cheeky inlaws, what's it got to do with them? It's not as though you are expecting them to help! If they are anti=pet then I can imagine that this must be the equivalent of you announcing you're getting cows, or a housepig, or similar. More likely, they're more worried that you having chickens is distracting you from the ultimate important business of giving them grandchildren. In fact, I think I'd be tempted to tell them you discussed whether to have kids or chickens, and decided on chickens as they were less hassle, less expensive, and weren't forever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Cheeky inlaws, what's it got to do with them? It's not as though you are expecting them to help! If they are anti=pet then I can imagine that this must be the equivalent of you announcing you're getting cows, or a housepig, or similar. More likely, they're more worried that you having chickens is distracting you from the ultimate important business of giving them grandchildren. In fact, I think I'd be tempted to tell them you discussed whether to have kids or chickens, and decided on chickens as they were less hassle, less expensive, and weren't forever That's what we have said to our families, as they keep going on about all the animals we have and we have'nt even had any kids yet so we said we have decided to have pets over kids, it went down a treat i would just ignore your inlaws they will soon be round for eggs, just like my family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Er no Scarlett I didnt actually notice you had a small zoo till you said - it depends on what you class as a zoo - people think we have a lot - only 3 chucks and 2 cats now as rabbitless and fishless. But we like our furry and feathered friends if if on cold winter days you dont feel like mucking them out it does give you pleasure when you are out with the elements chatting to your chucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPalmer Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Well at least it was your In-laws you can roll your eyes and say thank god that mentality isn't in my family My mother was the one that through a palava about my chickens and then when I added on 3 more she really gave me a lecture for about 2 hours. WHY did you want them was the theme, as well as the smell the taking care of the time and money and energy, bla bla bla. In life you can't please people so you might as well please yourself and your chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I upset my In laws on a regular basis! They are catholic, I am not....they are houseproud, I am not...clean but untidy would rather spend time with my children than hoovering...blame me for splitting up their DS's band ( I didn't....) I'm not a glamour puss like their other daughter in law.....whereas my parents consider my OH the son they never had My inlaws did mention the foxes, rats argument, but we alreafy have those, along with pheasants, moles, rabbits...so what the hey?? I have taken to just rolling my eyes childishly when they are not looking..I'll get caught out one day, but that's another day to look forward to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I upset my In laws on a regular basis! They are catholic, I am not....they are houseproud, I am not...clean but untidy would rather spend time with my children than hoovering...blame me for splitting up their DS's band ( I didn't....) I'm not a glamour puss like their other daughter in law.....whereas my parents consider my OH the son they never had My inlaws did mention the foxes, rats argument, but we alreafy have those, along with pheasants, moles, rabbits...so what the hey?? I have taken to just rolling my eyes childishly when they are not looking..I'll get caught out one day, but that's another day to look forward to! I think I'd get on really well with you. My MIL hates the fact that I don't keep putting the kids toys away, I don't see the point every time I put them away they drag them out! Shovelling snow in a blizzard if you ask me. My house is clean but looks like a torneado went through it most days. lol However, my kids are happy and healthy and my son has better speach than their other grandson who's over 1 yr older than mine! I blame being put into nursery full time at only a few months old. Sorry inlaws just get my back up so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkingChickens Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Hahaha, I live in California and grew up in Los Angeles County, the suburbs. Of COURSE our family was laughing at us. However, I don't really care too much what others think. I'm going to do what I'm going to do and wear you down until you agree with me. LOL Just kidding. I'll share my eggs and win them over with my enthusiasm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
