Christian Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 (edited) Its been a bit of a nightmare recently! Babs had a recurrance of egg peritonitis last week when I was away on a trip and OH had to leave her as he was going away! I was back the next day and managed to get her to the vet. She seems back to normal again now. The thing is, we agreed that we would get a cube later in the year after he saw AnniePs and loved it. The idea was to clear the shrubs at the side of the house and get another 5-6 hens. He has now said that we can't as with the work we do, we aren't around enough if something goes wrong. I have always wanted hens and the eglu and run was the perfect solution as I (we) are away 2-3 nights per week with work. I can see his point (eventhough i don't want to) but i guess we have just been unlucky with Babs. Many people have no problems whatsoever. My reasoning is, When you have 3, another 5-6 makes no difference. They free range most of the time, (i work part time 15 days a month) and are well cared for, some say spoilt . Any thoughts? Am I just being selfish? ps He said I can have as many as i like if i leave work and get a 'proper job' I am really low at the moment with everything that is going on. My hens really cheer me up. Might sound sad but they do! Edited August 8, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladylucan Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Tricky one, . I can see his point, but then i can see yours, . Good luck with this one, xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Oh Christianl don't get too down. I agree with you, a few more chickens won't make any difference. I say go for it ! If you're only away 2-3 nights a week and the chickens have got food and water then they'll be fine and you were just unlucky with Babs. xx *hugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 They are very expensive if he would have to pay for it, although cheaper if you get money back from selling the old eglu. I feel when OH says I could never have certain types of hens as feel it is my hobby, and I should have freedom to do what I want with it. Could you get a second eglu to compromise as they are about half the price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I'd say go for it Christian.....especially if they brighten your day. And 5 or 6 will be no more work than a couple. I reckon you have been unlucky with poor Babs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Apart from the huge amount of poo that 6 must produce it would be no harder to keep that many as to keep 3...... I keep nagging to keep more and Andy says "no" too, so I know how you feel.......Keep on at him, he will give in, in the end Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I agree, what trouble are 3/4 more chooks going to be?? if you sell the eglu and get the cube you will still get good money for it even though its second hand, which will go towards your cube. I think the enjoyment, laughter, and sheer entertainment factor of having chooks really outweighs everything else. Illness is not always preventable - but you get that with any pet. Leaving 6 chooks for 2/3 nights is no different than leaving 3!! Also they will have more company - so they wont miss you so much when you have gone Keep the pressure on OH Christian and he will cave in... turn it around and make it seem like all the "good ideas" are his. Just make up a load of stuff (thats what I do ) tell him you will start a "chicken fund" pot, where you can put a couple of pounds/coins a week "just to put by" incase one of the chicken's get poorly (every little helps!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Not that we're biased at all.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Wife Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Ohh.. if Edgeman said no and I really really wanted something I don't think I'd listen to him. What's he going to do about it if he comes home one day and a cube has mysteriously appeared in the garden along with a few more chooks? (I know he will be thrilled to read this ) In an earlier post I confessed I wanted a pig. Do you want me to put the above to the test and see what he does when he arrives home to find a big porker in the garden? Can you not sneak them in a bird at a time and deny all knowledge of how your flock has grown? or sneak them in one at a time and completely refute any suggestion that you have more birds than you started with and that he must be going mad? What pig? he he he... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Now that I have 14 roaming the garden my OH is getting really p'eed off with all the poo - but its mostly me that deals with it. We went away for 2 nights last weekend and its the first time we've just filled all the feeders and drinkers and let them get on with it - they were absolutely fine and still had water left when we got back (thank goodness, that was my biggest worry), and 10 eggs in the nest . I don't think its the number of hens thats a problem, you have to accept there will be a lot more cleaning, but you'll get a lot of pleasure from them too. I work part-time too and feel guilty the days they're in the run all day, but that balances out with the number of days you can let them out all day. I'd say get a few more hens (plus another poo s"Ooops, word censored!"er/lifter and power washer )...you'll love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Go for it Christian I am sure you can be VERY persuasive when you try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 the only advice I can give you Christian is that we were only going to have 3 .... and ended up with eight then I was only going to have 2 guinea pigs and came home with 5 and a rabbit then I was only going to get my rabbit a mate and came home with 2 ... and very nearly a divorce. I guess what I am saying is I am the worst person to give you advice (I can't think why!) but my OH's bark is worse than his bite (I think) and he actually loves them all. I don't suppose you could just go ahead and get them and see if his reaction is all that bad when they are actually there .... The only difference between 3 chooks and lots of chooks is the amount of food they eat ... and the resulting poo they produce Apart from that I can see no additional looking after. And you could always sell some of the additional eggs towards the cost of the extra feed (it could make a persuasive argument...) The only binding contract I have had to enter into is that I do all the cleaning out - and believe me - between all of the above - that is one hell of a lot of poo!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I started with three hens and decided I had to have more. I got my own way as I am the one who looks after them. It came down to hobbies in the end, OH has six pushbikes why can't I have 5 hens? Like he said to me, you don't need 5 hens and as I replied you don't need six bikes, but it's what we want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I started with three hens and decided I had to have more. I got my own way as I am the one who looks after them. It came down to hobbies in the end, OH has six pushbikes why can't I have 5 hens? Like he said to me, you don't need 5 hens and as I replied you don't need six bikes, but it's what we want. I did exactly the same regarding the amount of minis he is rebuilding! And at least the hens are productive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Ohh.. if Edgeman said no and I really really wanted something I don't think I'd listen to him. What's he going to do about it if he comes home one day and a cube has mysteriously appeared in the garden along with a few more chooks? (I know he will be thrilled to read this ) A kindred spirit Edge Wife! Him Indoors knows by now that it would not be a good idea to say no to me...I'd be inclined to get 6...with bells on. A measured discussion whereby you both come to the conclusion that something might not be appropriate for any number of reasons (usually dosh)is one thing...but one partner in a relationship "telling" the other that they can't do or have something beggars belief. Sorry...rant over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 8, 2007 Author Share Posted August 8, 2007 Thank you all, i knew i could count on you! I agree Egluntine! He is such a kind guy and we have been through so much together recently (his tumour, illness, hospital appointments, my back, sick chickens, more hospital appointments, family traumas, oh and my back again ) etc etc. This is the first time he has said no and i'm quite shocked by it. As many of you know i am cabin crew so away a couple of nights per week. This hasn't been a problem for the past year!!!! I just found out from his Mum that he was really upset seeing Babs ill and having to leave for work. The chickens are ours, but I feed and clean them 9 1/2 times out of 10. The money isnt really an issue (get me, rich all of a sudden ) as we would keep the eglu AND get a cube! i may want even more hens in future Its just he is soooo stubborn! (even more so than me - Taurus through and through) Off to sulk now.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Maybe a bottle of something lovely & his favourite meal might be called for Christian? You guys have been through a lot.Maybe he just needs time for things to settle back to normality before he can commit to more hens? Have you decided on a colour for the cube yet??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I think you should go for ORANGE Christian, they look fab and it would look good with your blue eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 8, 2007 Author Share Posted August 8, 2007 He was the one that suggested more hens, after seeing AnniePs a few weeks ago! I suppose I underestimated how much he cares for the girls. But I agree, I will bide my time and keep nagging. It usually works Cinnamon it has to be PURPLE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 8, 2007 Author Share Posted August 8, 2007 Thanks Chelsea! or ORANGE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Have you decided on a colour for the cube yet??? Are you ready for a thread on this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooner.girl Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Just keep going on and on and on and on and on til he says yes to shut you up Christian! Works for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Just go for it Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 How about a BIG compromise on your part. A real toughie? I am a bit scared to say it. What if you give up smoking in return for getting the cube and chooks. Throwing a hissy fit is not good for a relationship if either partner does it. Explain that you can imagine how terribly upset he would have been when Babs was ill - and that really was unlucky. Don't nag - just be patient and gently persuasive. You will get there in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 8, 2007 Author Share Posted August 8, 2007 How about a BIG compromise on your part. A real toughie? I am a bit scared to say it. What if you give up smoking in return for getting the cube and chooks. lets not go too far Dilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
