alexsampson Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi everyone, This is my first post on omlet and all I can say is I'm loving it!! I have always been interested in keeping birds and really want...chickens!!! (obviously) I think they are great pets because of their comedy around the garden, producing eggs and the fact that they are great pets. However, I am 15 so I do need to persuade my parents of the awesomeness of the chicken and I know they can be convinced; for example I have a lizard and I tried for years to persuade my parents to get me one and I got one a few years back and now they love the thing!! I know chickens take work, time and money but I definitely think that they will love them, so I just need to persuade them. Any ideas about how I'de do that? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Welcome to the forum, Alex . You're right, chickens do make great pets and you have the added bonus of fresh tasty eggs every day . I think you have to convince your parents that you'll take complete responsibility for your hens and that the novelty won't wear off. Are your parents "garden proud"? Hens can trash a garden so you need to take steps to prevent that (netting is an option). It's not cheap setting up - do you have the money or are they prepared to help? Will they help you with the costs thereafter? The only other consideration is that you may not be at home for more than a couple more years if you're planning on going to college/uni/work. Would your parents take on the responsibility then? You could rehome them but that's not always easy. Trying to be devil's advocate here! Hope you can convince them - tell them this forum is a great place for advice and support and is very safe and friendly . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Welcome to the forum Alex. I second everything ANH has said. Definately show them this forum. Another thing to consider is: will you take on the expense of vets fees if they become ill/need to be PTS; or, would you be of the camp that doesn't think the cost of vets justifies the means and would home treat? Another consideration is: they are addictive and many chicken owners get severe bouts of Morehens Disease Then there is the "oh, lets hatch chicks" syndrome. Now, in an ideal world - not that I'd wish illness on anyone! - but, it may well be your parents who succumb to Morehens Disease and Chick Syndrome The very best way to persude anyone into anything is to make sure you have your counter arguments for any objections they may have and that really means knowing your subject. Knowledge, knowledge, knowledge; pro's and con's. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 You could always arrange to visit an existing Eglu/Cube owner with your parents. They could then talk to someone who is experienced in keeping chickens as pets and can give them a fair assessment of what it's like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi I would add - are you prepared to clean up after them? I only have two and they produce a LOT of pooh! My son (19) loves them, but unless I'm actually away refuses to clear up. Mine sleep in the nestbox - tried everything to stop them but now resigned to it. So every morning before work I'm out in all weathers clearing it out. Then every weekend a good wipe over of eglu, every other weekend total clean of it. Also hosing down patio as they 'door hover'. Well worth it though - I love them and so does my son and luckily neighbours (another consideration!) Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I've just come in from the rain having let the chickens out, will your parents be convinced you will do all the work? You could try pulling on the heart strings by rescuing some ex battery hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Having been on the side of being the one that needed persuading what finally got me to give in was when I found out about the Eglu and how fox resistant it was (this was my biggest fear) OH had already won me over with talk of fabulous fresh eggs, food metres not food miles, having additional pets, the poo making great compost for the veg plot, the fact that we would treat them with peelings from the kitchen etc etc Now, my OH realises he created a monster as I fell instantly in love with our girls.... Then it was me that insisted on a walk in run, some pure breeds, then rescuing ex batts, then hatching, then walk in run two etc etc etc My poor hubby never imagined that his dream of a few egg layers in the garden would turn into a flock of 24 Good luck with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexsampson Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi Guys, Thanks for all the info and I know I am up for chickens, I just need tp pray that my parents will see that I am and how awesome they are. Thanks for all your help guys; I see that this will be an awesome experience. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Good luck Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 How's it going Alex? Making any headway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 How's it going Alex? Making any headway? The key to it is to persuade Mum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 How's it going Alex? Making any headway? The key to it is to persuade Mum I'm persuaded! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Do you have money put aside to convince your parents that they won't need to pay out? (Or at least not much anyway). I'm sure if they see you have researched well (this forum is a great place to learn) and continue to be interested in keeping chickens, then they'll... 'give in' and realise it's not just a 5minute interest that'll wear off. I'd be interested to know how you're getting on with the convincing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Why don't you book you & your parents on one of the hen Omlet hen parties? That way you can all see how easy the eglu's are & maybe even hold a chicken or two. You'll learn all sorts & they are run by people on the forum. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 How about ordering the brochure from Omlet and then getting your parents to read it? I found the brochure very informative about the Eglu. I found it was my dad who I (well, we) needed to convince, as he is the more sensible person when it comes to money, me and my mum just spend it! Another point is to get some rescued hens. You will be saving them from slaughter and giving them a better life, although these are slightly harder to look after (to begin with) than normal POL (point of lay, at about 20 weeks) hybrids from a breeder. You could write a list of everything you will need to keep chickens, with the prices. To help aid your cause, you could work out how many eggs you would expect a week, and then show how much money you would save a week or month on eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
