Janepie33 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 There is a very amusing article about hen keeping in the Daily Mail today. I was just wondering if it was written by a forum member. She has an Eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 This article? She's written a few about chickens before and one a few years back about trialling an Eglu, so she obviously kept it. I don't think she's on the forum as the question was asked last time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 There's also one in the Guardian:- HERE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 An amusing article, and oh my, that Framebow coop is a thing of beauty, isn't it (Daily Mail article). She does paint a rather negative picture though - you don't HAVE to let them ravage your lawn and destroy everything, and if she kept them in the run a bit more then she wouldn't have the poop problem. I guess it's written for laughs, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 An amusing article, and oh my, that Framebow coop is a thing of beauty, isn't it (Daily Mail article). She does paint a rather negative picture though - you don't HAVE to let them ravage your lawn and destroy everything, and if she kept them in the run a bit more then she wouldn't have the poop problem. I guess it's written for laughs, though. That and if she kept the eglu door shut the fox wouldn't spook the chickens in the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I wonder why she didn't think to use netting, or join the forum for advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 No idea, but it always amazes me how many people complain about their chickens trashing their garden; when I suggest netting or a walk in run, they always look at me as if I've just suggested something ludicrous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I wonder why she didn't think to use netting, or join the forum for advice. because joining the forum would deplete her 'smug factor' rapidly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I suspect (as Olly has said) that it is all written for effect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Gosh she is rather smug and up herself isn't she? I was interested to learn that, three years ago, she was one of "the first wave of middle class town dwellers to buy chicken coop and hens" Amazing to learn that chicken keeping amongst the middle classes only started 3 years ago! Much preferred the Guardian article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Perhaps the 'new fashion' started with her....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I must be really smug - I've got an Eglu and walk in run and 7 beehives. in fact I've just spent a happy afternoon taking honey off and putting it into jars. I guess i'll be smiling smugly until bedtime. Plus i've got a Border Terrier - gosh I'm really going for it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 What is with the concept that keeping chickens is middle class? My grandparents kept chickens and raced greyhounds, Grandad was a miner so you can't get more working class than that. I can still remember the smell of meat s"Ooops, word censored!"s being boiled up in the copper to make food for the greyhounds. I have chickens and I am a cleaner. I love my chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovebugette Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Cripes! This lady seriously wound me up, as did the article the day before about hen keeping in the Daily Mail. That's two mornings in a row my honey-on-toast has almost been spat out in protest as I read the paper! I have posted on both stories via their website under my Lovebugette guise, but think they've wound up the comments as they were mainly against the writer! Firstly, if she had educated herself (here I go again) then she would've understood that hens poo (surprisingly!), dig, eat and are sometimes eaten when not cared for properly. Rats are not a problem if you clear up uneaten s"Ooops, word censored!"s and bring in the Grub every night. She seems to be a social climber, having to have everything first and then discards it when it's commonplace. She drools over a wooden chicken house when she's got a lovely already - how about using the money instead to buy a Cube run from Omlet, or pay her gardener (!?) to build one? No foxy issues - t'da! Again, no research undertaken or she would realise the Cube is far less likely to attract mites than a wooden "Fearnley" monstrosity! Also, anyone who is photographed in white trousers whilst holding a hen is obviously cluless, we all know that's trouser suicide. I say the the Daily Mail should, along with Omlet perhaps, indulge their readers with truly knowledgable back-yard hen keepers. I for one will be in the queue - I have a husband, 2 children, 3 cats, 8 hens, (4 of which are ex-batts) and a Cube, Walk-in Run, no mites or rats. I somehow manage to pick up their poo without a gardeners assistance and my two boys are able to play football in the garden without too many poo issues (apart from the odd hidden one!) and plenty of plants happily grow with bee's buzzing around them. And all this in a 40ft x 50ft seaside garden. So come on Daily Mail, don't let the negative fashionista reporter have her say without a response from the educated ones! I'm sure my HRT implanted Henrietta would be of more interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Also, anyone who is photographed in white trousers whilst holding a hen is obviously cluless, we all know that's trouser suicide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I wonder why she didn't think to use netting:roll: So true! Netting transformed my life .....and the garden too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I don't feel too het up about the article. It is funny and I guess it was written mostly for effect. Chickens do trash gardens if they are allowed to and of course they poo. The good thing, as I see it, is that, while not putting off those who really like chickens, the article will put off people who want to be country lasses through maintenance free pets. That's got to be a bonus as anyone wanting a maintenance free chook is bound to be disappointed and then that just results in cruelty and neglect for the poor creature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 If she was that bothered about her garden, then why didnt she get netting! Perhaps if she took preventative measures against rats, it would help. If she really did love her chickens that much, she wouldnt mind about paying to keep away foxes. She clearly didnt do any research. With any animal you have to pay for food, security, housing, but with chickens you get (the best) eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 It will be quite awkward if she is/ever on the forum... But she does seem very up herself, like 3 years ago was when chickens were invented if she was one of the first keepers... I agree, the top half of our garden is netted off so they don't trash the flowers & vegetables She seems to be a social climber, having to have everything first and then discards it when it's commonplace. Thats what I was trying to say, but didn't know how to say it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Actually it was me & I'm very upset now. Just kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooker Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Agree with most comments, but...I clear up s"Ooops, word censored!"s and keep my chicken food away a night but the rats still plague me! they just come visiting during theday to store enough up to last them the night........not so smug here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Actually it was me & I'm very upset now. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I've just read the Mail article. It is really funny and very true! I especially like the bit about having to buy more and more stuff for the chickens and it ends up costing a fortune. Now where can I get a goat? Edit - just read the Guardian one too and ended up buying a flipping egg book. See! More money spent! Damn those feathered beasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevtheplumber Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Anyone who writes about being middle class is usually upper class. I get them all the time, they are upper class until it's payment time and they plead poverty with their 5 bed detached and range rovers. Article is biased too. 1 put them in a run or build one 2 don't let them roam all over the garden, 3 her costings are exaggerated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 The only upper class people who have 5 bed detached live in central london :L . I have a 5 bed det and were not upper class! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
