Convincing my mom

[RadEggs]

They absolutely can be nasty and they shouldn't eat food scraps in any moderate quantities.
Why do you want chickens?
Have You thought this through to present your mom a good representation?
They are completely different than cocketiels.
Are you prepared for 6-12 years of caring for livestock?
Is their a vet available that not only takes chickens but actually knows about them?
Are you prepared to doctor them when they need it or even put them down?
Have you checked out your regulations for poultry? Neighborhood? Town? County?

Nuthatched is so right.
If there is not a vet, that will be on you, and I can 100% vouch that is NOT fun and very stressfull. I have successfully saved mine from dying twice. Do not take them to a vet who knows nothing about chickens. A vet almost killed one of mine.

 

[RadEggs]

Despite all my gripes chickens are the best thing that ever happened to me, not trying to discourage you

 

[ThatOneWeirdPerson]

I've owned chickens since I was 5 and now I am 19 going to college and still caring for chickens. They are very easy to take care of when they're chicks and when they're adults. Not only that, but you get eggs! They eat grass and bugs in the yard and scraps you don't need. They're so simple and leave no mess. (Unless you have backyard furniture) Other than that theyre really simple you just gotta watch out for stray cats or racoons and etc.

yeah my aunt has chickens and she said that theyre super simple and very friendly! My next door neighbor has probably 15 outdoor cats, which might become an issue so I’d need to get a good sturdy coop for them.

 

[RadEggs]

yeah my aunt has chickens and she said that theyre super simple and very friendly! My next door neighbor has probably 15 outdoor cats, which might become an issue so I’d need to get a good sturdy coop for them.

Either the cats will kill and eat the chickens or the chickens will kill and eat the cats. You realy need to fortify the coop if you do get them.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

The main problem i see with this is that you are sixteen. How long are you planning on living with your mom? I know I was out the second I turned 18. The other problem is that you don’t own the house, the yard, or the garden. Any nonsense your chickens get up to will be your mom’s problem. My chickens, for example, loved to hop on my fence and get into the neighbors’ garden. That was on me cause it was my house. If your chickens destroy someone else’s garden do you have the financial means to compensate them? That’s just a hypothetical example of course. My point is that while your aunt is correct, chickens on someone else’s property (your chickens in your mom’s backyard) is not always easy. It’s understandable your mom has reservations.

 

[ThatOneWeirdPerson]

nuthatched had some good items to think about.
Why do you want chickens? Do you like to awake early? You will have to care for the chickens before you go to school. If you do awake early, you can let your mother know that an extra 30 minutes caring for the chickens in the morning will work.

You will Need to put up a fence for the garden. It can be a simple one, plastic or mesh. It will need to be at least 4'T. Posts every 6-8' can work to hold it. Your mother will not want the chickens to destroy it...and they will if allowed in.

Ours are fed scraps but no more than 10ish % of their pellet diet.

How close are your neighbors? If the chickens free range, they could (probably would) go into the neighbors yard.

Do you have an income to help pay for their coop/shed and the run? Then for the feed?

Just things to think about besides what others have written. Not to turn you away but for you to think through and if you still want chickens, present these solutions.

We had parrots and their care, in a cage, in the house, was easier than chickens. Think of questions about care of them and ask us more questions.
I'm glad we have chickens.

I would like to have chickens to both cut down on all the pests and to get eggs. I wake up at 5-5:30 every day anyway so waking up early wouldn't be a problem. My garden is in a large U shaped raised bed with about 8 feet tall fencing around it because we deal with LOTS of deer. I wouldn't be able to let then free range I don’t think because my neighbor owns tons of outdoor cats, although making a large fenced area with a roof for them could possibly substitute. I’m also currently applying for a summer job and possibly a part time job when I get back into school, but I have lots in my savings already that I want to put towards something like this. My uncle and dad both already agreed to help build a coop with me(my uncle is in the construction industry). And yes, I do know that owning a parrot will be easier than having chickens, but I’m willing to out in the effort to make sure they live happy and healthy

 

[ThatOneWeirdPerson]

Do not feed them only food scraps unless that is your only option financialy. It is not healthy for them to eat only food scraps and no chicken feed. Things to not tell your mom:
Chickens will destroy your yard and garden
They are a lot of work (an hour a day at least)
Things to tell your mom:
Chickens are cute, they purr when they are super happy
Chickens will help turn over soil
Chicken poop is great fertilizer for a garden
Chickens can be quite cheap if you buy a used coop off of facebook marketplace or craigslist
Fresh eggs from backyard chickens are super healthy and eggs are expensive
a few things to think about:
You can get pullets or chickens needing a new home off craigslist so you can be sure they are hens
You will need to be willing to do a lot of work to take care of them, and it will be hard to balance them and a cocoteil and school
Also chickens are smarter than you think and will bully you.

Oh yeah I wouldn’t just be feeding then food scraps, just adding them to their diet. Thanks for the tips

 

[Burnttoast5475]

3 is definitely a more manageable number. I have 1 roo, 6 hens, 5 six-weekers and 5 that hatched Tuesday. And one hen is sitting on 4 eggs.

Yeah as of now i have 5 chicks that were 3 months old, 3 hens, and 1 rooster. Then inside I have 3 1 month old chicks and some chicks that just hatched a few hours ago. Any animal will take work ti clean up but I feel that chickens are definitely the least! lol. As long as there is no bad habits like egg eating and stuff you should be good.

 

[C Siena]

I would like to have chickens to both cut down on all the pests and to get eggs. I wake up at 5-5:30 every day anyway so waking up early wouldn't be a problem. My garden is in a large U shaped raised bed with about 8 feet tall fencing around it because we deal with LOTS of deer. I wouldn't be able to let then free range I don’t think because my neighbor owns tons of outdoor cats, although making a large fenced area with a roof for them could possibly substitute. I’m also currently applying for a summer job and possibly a part time job when I get back into school, but I have lots in my savings already that I want to put towards something like this. My uncle and dad both already agreed to help build a coop with me(my uncle is in the construction industry). And yes, I do know that owning a parrot will be easier than having chickens, but I’m willing to out in the effort to make sure they live happy and healthy

Very good, young lady!
There are some places on fb marketplace where one can purchase plywood, screws, metal sheeting etc, at less that a store like Lowes, Home Depot. It can work. Also, though I have lost a chicken to being egg bound, if I had searched on here sooner, I might have been able to help her. I also keep a few supplies on hand for medical care. Usually if you have a medical/health problem, someone on here has had the same problem and all are more than willing to help.
It's good that your dad is already on board.
Keep us posted.

 

[ThatOneWeirdPerson]

The main problem i see with this is that you are sixteen. How long are you planning on living with your mom? I know I was out the second I turned 18. The other problem is that you don’t own the house, the yard, or the garden. Any nonsense your chickens get up to will be your mom’s problem. My chickens, for example, loved to hop on my fence and get into the neighbors’ garden. That was on me cause it was my house. If your chickens destroy someone else’s garden do you have the financial means to compensate them? That’s just a hypothetical example of course. My point is that while your aunt is correct, chickens on someone else’s property (your chickens in your mom’s backyard) is not always easy. It’s understandable your mom has reservations.

My mom keeps saying the only reason she doesnt want then is because they carry diseases. My dad has told me he's fine with getting a few hens if my moms okay with it, but honestly I’m not entirely sure how long ill be staying here. Depending on what college I want to/can go to will most likely be the deciding factor in that, I suppose.