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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Expensive hens… why

131 replies

workingitout1234 · 30/07/2025 22:18

our group of girls are early 30s in average jobs, some are mums. A hen has been planned for next year and it’s £340 each for 17 people in rural location for 2 nights with hot tub to include food (one of the girls will cook for all guests) booze and activities (games such as mr and Mrs and all low cost games like that). This is all within the accommodation - we aren’t leaving the apartment once. It looks like a lovely apartment though. This is all sharing rooms and even beds at times with others too

is this a rip off? I think it is considering it doesn’t include leaving the place at all. There is an option for 1 night at £240 but I still think that is a lot even taking inflation into consideration

we aren’t lawyers and doctors we are pretty average women

OP posts:
Eerrnohun · 31/07/2025 06:39

workingitout1234 · 31/07/2025 05:41

All the disappointmented poultry owners I do apologise 🤣🤣🤣

This made me laugh more than it should have done.

On topic though, I’m with you. Couple of my friends have just been in hens/stags for other friends (who I don’t know) and they were multiple days abroad at the cost of literal thousands per person. I know some of the people who went really couldn’t afford it but found a way to save face. I feel almost embarrassed telling people my hen was a night in a restaurant but it was a really great night.

LessOfThis · 31/07/2025 06:41

workingitout1234 · 30/07/2025 22:22

Honestly it doesn’t sound like fun but I don’t want to let the bride down. But I don’t find ‘games’ that fun, and I think spending all that time shut in with others some of whom we haven’t met doesn’t sound that fun either.

I’d play shite games for a friend, but I wouldn’t be sharing a bed with anyone!

LabubuMyArse · 31/07/2025 07:00

What I thought I was getting Grin

Expensive hens… why
MaidOfSteel · 31/07/2025 07:01

£340 to share a room, possibly even to share a bed? And no activities outside of the flat? You’ll probably be expected to help with food prep or washing up at the end of the meal? No way in hell. I’d be coming up with some excuse.

Londonrach1 · 31/07/2025 07:02

Eestar · 30/07/2025 22:20

Bit disappointed. I thought this was going to be about chickens.

But TBH, I don't think that sounds like a crazy price for a full weekend in nice accommodation with food included.

Me too. I'm a chicken mum too and love to talk chicken

PinkyFlamingo · 31/07/2025 07:06

It must be a very expensive house to hire! But 17 people, especially some you don't know would be far too much for me and I wouldnt go! Just do it asap because I suspect that price will go up if others don't go!

EmpressaurusKitty · 31/07/2025 07:10

suburberphobe · 30/07/2025 22:45

Hen do in a rural location with 17 people?!

My idea of hell.

And sharing beds? No way.

Sounds great for a BBC drama though. 😅

It would have to be a murder mystery.

LlynTegid · 31/07/2025 07:11

The cost overall seems about normal for a large place with 8 or 9 bedrooms, especially at a weekend.

Good on you for deciding to say no to this. It should be a hen night (or stag night for grooms), nothing more.

Bringmeahigherlove · 31/07/2025 07:11

Two nights in a normal hotel would set you back £200. You are not going anywhere so the only thing you will have to contribute towards is food and take your own drink. I don’t think it’s that bad with lots of notice.

NigelPonsonbySmallpiece · 31/07/2025 07:11

Eestar · 30/07/2025 22:20

Bit disappointed. I thought this was going to be about chickens.

But TBH, I don't think that sounds like a crazy price for a full weekend in nice accommodation with food included.

Ha ha same, I used to breed buff Sussex and Favorelles and was about to come on here and defend my expensive hens.

TeaAndStrumpets · 31/07/2025 07:12

Eestar · 30/07/2025 22:20

Bit disappointed. I thought this was going to be about chickens.

But TBH, I don't think that sounds like a crazy price for a full weekend in nice accommodation with food included.

Me too! You can generally adopt ex battery hens for free, and give them a healthy retirement. That would be a thread I'd enjoy!

Dancingsquirrels · 31/07/2025 07:13

For a fancy house, all food and booze, I think that's a fair price

You could take an airbed

I think its fine for people to arrange hen weekends, provided it's optional and prices don't spiral if people pull out

FortheloveofCheesus · 31/07/2025 07:15

Its the fact that it is two nights.that means probably 5 or 6 meals & you can bet it won't be a bowl of cheap cereal, the woman cooking is probably planning something nicer (and more expensive). Then expensive accomodation for two nights. It is what it costs, that doesn't mean you have to be happy to pay that.

More people just need to say no. Hen nights have become silly. I was relieved few of my friends pushed for expensive hen dos away. We had some great nights out in our local city and lovely meals and never paid more than £100 a person.

RampantIvy · 31/07/2025 07:16

workingitout1234 · 30/07/2025 22:22

Honestly it doesn’t sound like fun but I don’t want to let the bride down. But I don’t find ‘games’ that fun, and I think spending all that time shut in with others some of whom we haven’t met doesn’t sound that fun either.

And this is why this kind of nonsense continues. All the guilt tripping - if you don't go it is because you don't like the bride.

I would just say that it was beyond my budget and if there was a local night out with a meal and drinks I would like to attend that instead.

UpsideDownChairs · 31/07/2025 07:17

I've been lusting after Brahmas for a while, but since I only need a couple of chickens, it will continue to be a dream until my current 2 shuffle off this mortal coil in a few years.. What's surprised me the most, is the different personalities from different breeds - bog standard brown ones are much more friendly than my extremely bold Mottled Ranger who's quest to get to the cat food is legendary, and flighty Partridge who won't come within 2 metres of me

As to 340quid to share a bed in a farm house for 2 days... that seems a bit steep to me. When I compare it to going away for the weekend with my 2 (adult-sized and often charged) kids, that's the equivalent cost per person of a weekend in a European city - albeit with more booze.

beAsensible1 · 31/07/2025 07:18

i Think it’s a decent price for food and booze included.

and with a years notice.
these sorts of things are usually fun I know everyone on here hates hens. But organised fun can be a good time and a way to get to know others in the wedding party.

Yabberwok · 31/07/2025 07:21

MsPengiuns · 31/07/2025 00:22

I have 3 silkie chickens and I don't find them that expensive for their food and drink. However, they do eat plants and ate all the sweet peas and dug up various bulbs. I got them a chicken garden ornament from Dunelm, that has now gone to half price. The most expensive thing for them was their wooden painted cottage from FlytesoFancy.

Our two silkies moved into our conservatory after one winters night and 'its too cold out there for them '. Bless them they lived about 10 years in there refusing to leave like the worst swatters in the world.

Nb it was basically a mud room which stored lots of my gardening stuff, wet waterproofs, muddy boots etc when I was a professional gardener.

nopiesleftinthisvehicle · 31/07/2025 07:21

Great clickbait title OP 👏🐔

diterictur · 31/07/2025 07:25

I think the cost is pretty reasonable - and they are obviously conscious of the cost and trying to keep it down by not doing meals and drinks out.

I wouldn't be sharing a bed though, would rather sleep on the floor.

SootherSue · 31/07/2025 07:26

I think you've made the right call.

Playing games might go out the window after a while. If enough people get bored/stir crazy, they'll suddenly be deciding to go out for extra activities, and you'd be forking out even more money at a point when it's much harder to say no.

I say this because a friend tried to plan something like this and expensive extra crap was being bolted on by other attendees before the idea even got off the ground.

JMSA · 31/07/2025 07:26

That’s a bargain. 2 nights away with all food and booze included. Sign me up!

JMSA · 31/07/2025 07:27

workingitout1234 · 30/07/2025 22:22

Honestly it doesn’t sound like fun but I don’t want to let the bride down. But I don’t find ‘games’ that fun, and I think spending all that time shut in with others some of whom we haven’t met doesn’t sound that fun either.

Just don’t go then. You sound like a total buzzkill.

BCBird · 31/07/2025 07:30

It's a lot of money. U.know yhe cost in advance. If u can't afford it don't go. Im not embarrassed to say I.can't afford something. This on top.of the cost of the wedding too 😒

RampantIvy · 31/07/2025 07:31

JMSA · 31/07/2025 07:27

Just don’t go then. You sound like a total buzzkill.

Show quote history

🙄
The OP will be breastfeeding a baby, so that is a very good reason to stay at home.

I am a pretty sociable person, but I would hate to spend a weekend with 16 other people, some of whom would be total strangers to me, sharing a room and enduring enforced jollity for an entire weekend. And paying over £300 for the privilege. No thank you.