My Hubby wasn't very keen at first but knew I would get them anyway Now I think he nearly cares about them as much as I do He automatically lets them out when he is working early and regularly poo picks and sweeps up the mess they make. He is working near London this week and the first thing he says is "how are the Girls". AND he loves the freshest ever eggs for breakfast
Jinty, my hubby also works out of town at least 3 days a week, which is one of the reasons I insisted on the chickens for company!
I have been trying very hard not to go on about the chickens all the time as I know he's been getting bored with the topic. But the other night he phoned home and asked, "how are the chickens?" I with-held my squeal of delight and managed to answer very calmly!
Here are some more ways in which I used logic and emotion to
manipulate encourage my hubby to agree to chickens.
Some things that put him off were:
- The idea of poo on the deck. [Is that why they call it a poop deck?]
My solution: I have promised not to encourage them onto the deck. I will also wash off any poo right away. - He worked with a woman who was often late to work because "the chickens escaped again" and she had spent all morning chasing them around the neighbourhood.
My solution: choosing docile breeds, putting effort into keeping them calm and manageable, pointing out to hubby that this woman's children are also little monsters so it might have something to do with the way she's bringing them up! - The thought that we can never go away because we have to care for the chickens.
My solution: A dear old Aunt who is positively keen to look after them when we're away, and building relationships with neighbours who might be able to step in if there's an emergency.
My hubby is also a bit of a greenie, so I armed myself with information about the role of backyard poultry in sustanable food production, the wonderful benefits for our vege garden, and the parallels between heritage poultry breeds and heritage seeds vs modern hybrids and industrialisation of our food supply. :blink:
I also pointed out how we can provide fresh eggs for my lovely Aunt and his Dear Old Ma who's in her 80s and loves baking for her grand-kids. I told him how eggs fresh from our garden will be wonderful for her health and how he will be her favourite son for providing them!
For someone who has children it might be worth tracking down research that shows how pets can help children to learn empathy and responsibility, and give them skills that they can use in later life.
Poor hubbies. They really don't stand a chance do they?