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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feed DC before pets?

30 replies

pregnantpause · 11/12/2013 11:55

This week has been a crap one. I have emptied my cupboards, and have only been buying food for a week in advance. On Sunday I went to do just that to find my card had been canceled and I have no access to any money. I've been a victim of fraud, the bank after finding this (and failing to tell me) froze everything. With insurance and what not I'm left with ten quid until FridaySad
Then on Monday the chickens ran out of chicken food. At eight quid a bag, I thought sod it they can live on scraps and bought them a bag of oats for porridge twice a day (78p from my ten pound) with the rest I got pasta, rice, bread ,milk and frozen veg (and resolved never to empty my usually overfull cupboards and freezer in the name of less waste ever againAngry )
My friend visited today, bringing a lovely cake to cheer me, and went on to scold me for not using the money on chicken food and borrowing food from friends and family for me and DC. Her argument is the chickens cannot fend for themselves I am entirely responsible for them and if she wasn't my friend she might report me for crueltySad aibu? I suppose I could have asked about for spare bags of pasta and rice, or had dinner at my mums for the week, but, really? They're big fat chickens who get lots of green stuff from the garden and are getting three litres of porridge a day! Surely DC come first, it's only a few days.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 11/12/2013 11:59

I say this as a lifelong vegetarian. ..
Surely the obvious solution is to eat a chicken

ColdTeaAgain · 11/12/2013 12:01

Chickens can live on virtually anything, definitely don't waste money on posh chicken feed!

NotMeNotYouNotAnyone · 11/12/2013 12:02

It's only a week and you are feeding them so Yadnbu to put feeding the kids first

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 11/12/2013 12:04

YANBU you are feeding them just not their usual grub this week. That friend is a rubbish friend btw. What a mean pointless thing to say to someone.

kinkyfuckery · 11/12/2013 12:06

If it's such a big deal, why the fuck didn't she give you the 8 quid to buy a bag of chicken feed?

HellonHeels · 11/12/2013 12:11

If you had left the chickens unfed she would have had a point and I would agree with her completely, especially as it's now winter (assuming you're in UK) and chicken foraging options must be quite limited.

However it sounds as if you have made reasonable arrangements to keep the chickens fed so I think you have done the right thing. Make sure they are warm and cosy so they need less food to keep warm.

If I were your friend I'd happily have bought you a bag of chicken food to tide you over Sad

BTW humans can also eat porridge - great cheap breakfast food!

HellonHeels · 11/12/2013 12:17

Also, did you give the chickens any cake? Grin

Original poster
pregnantpause · 11/12/2013 12:35

We are eating the porridge too, it's seen us for breakfast and snack flapjacksWink

My friend did take a slice, to crumble into the chooks bowl, as 'they look sad', I think the problem is the chicken pellets are always in their bowl, visible, whereas they eat the porridge as soon as it's down so the bowl is empty. I've lots of straw so they're plenty warm.

OP posts:
steff13 · 11/12/2013 13:09

I thought chickens ate bugs?

You were not unreasonable, does your friend realize that your child also cannot fend for himself, and you are entirely responsible for him? And, as a PP said, if she was so concerned, she could have bought you some chicken feed and kept her rude comments to herself. I don't know if I'd want a friend like that, I would feel like she was kicking me while I was down.

Topaz25 · 11/12/2013 13:15

YANBU, your friend is! You're not starving the chickens, you're just feeding them different food and it's only for a few days. If they're laying did you know you can actually feed them scrambled eggs for extra protein? If it wouldn't waste a charity's time I would tell her to go ahead and report you to the RSPCA, they would laugh in her face if the chickens have food, water and shelter.

I would really reconsider the friendship because she scolded you and accused you of cruelty when you're going through such a tough time. She could have given you the money for chicken feed if she was so concerned, she was just complaining to kick you when you are down. What was the point of her coming round to cheer you up and then having a go? And cake is all very well but she knows you're struggling for basic necessities. Is she the reincarnation of Marie Antoinette?

D0oinMeCleanin · 11/12/2013 13:17

YABU to refer to her as a friend. A friend would have bought you chicken food and cake.

CrocodileScream · 11/12/2013 13:45

You sound like you've made all the right decisions with your very limited funds. The chickens are warm and fed after all.

All the best and roll on Friday.

lookatmybutt · 11/12/2013 14:16

What's your friend's name, Marie Antoinette? Why didn't she bring more practical food for you (eggs, bread, milk??) and a bit of chicken feed?

What a loon.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 11/12/2013 16:00

Might they actually prefer the porridge? I ask as you said the bowl's empty as soon as it goes down - you must have a knack with it!

Your friend sounds a bit clueless, like a headless chicken maybe? Grin

MerryChristmasMollyHooper · 11/12/2013 16:11

I would be asking why she felt the need to kick you when you were down. 'They look sad' is just so bloody unnecessary.

I she normally so full of shit?

Stinkyminkymoo · 11/12/2013 16:53

I know loads of people who feed their chickens vegetable scraps though. I thought that was part of the point of them? It won't be for long anyway surely?

Sorry to hear you've been a victim of fraud Hmm that sucks - hope it gets resolved soon.

AdoraBell · 11/12/2013 16:57

How exactly does a Chicken look sad?

YANBU. Tell friend To piss right off with her ideals unless she's going To cough up enough To feed DCs, you and chickens.

OBitchery · 11/12/2013 17:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

puntasticusername · 11/12/2013 17:09

YANBU. Your friend is being very unhelpful and unsupportive by the sound of it.

I'd definitely be eyeing up a chicken for the pot around now as well, I'm afraid Wink

PiperChapman · 11/12/2013 17:16

the bank do not freezeyour account in these cases so thats a highly unusual moveâ?¦

WinterWinds · 11/12/2013 19:40

My mum had her card cloned about 9 months ago and the bank did indeed freeze her bank account until it was all sorted.

Original poster
pregnantpause · 11/12/2013 20:39

Okay, ainbu. The chickens definitely prefer the porridge, it's usually their treat for snowy days but I'm sure it's not as good for them, not that they careWink

It's what the bank have done, as it's never happened to me before I don't know of it's usual or unusual tbh.

OP posts:
lookatmybutt · 11/12/2013 20:54

How exactly does a Chicken look sad?

Well, there is Mike the Headless Chicken (google it, I won't link to as it might be a little disturbing for some people).

Though I guess it's a bit hard to look sad when you don't have a face anymore.

It seems Mike did OK for at least a bit Grin

HerlockSholmes · 11/12/2013 20:58

my friend at work uses the oats and crumbs left in the bottom of the bakery baskets in the shop to feed her chickens. i am pretty sure they dont get much else.

yanbu.

Jinglebellsforthebetter · 11/12/2013 21:01

YANBU - I agree your 'friendship' is worth questioning. A good friend would bring cake, £8 for chicken feed and WineWineWine She would then join you berating the arsewipe who defrauded you while you drank therapeutic quantities of wine Grin

Hope you get the bank issue sorted soon.