Honest answers please... Will my prepping cause protestors to come to my house?

[Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk]

It's a random one, but I volunteer for a 'not for profit group" who teach self sufficiency and smallholding skills - I love sharing my knowledge and really enjoy it.

One of the things I teach is raising table birds for meat (chicken, quail, turkeys) - all in a free range, happy meat way, designed for people with gardens and small holdings, not commercial factory sheds.

I friend of mine has just suggested (with absolutely my best interests at heart, it wasn't a catty comment), that I need to be careful in case it "causes animal rights protestors to target my property" ... . (I run these from our smallholding) ... now I've started thinking about it maybe I can see her point.

With the increased food prices etc, lots more people are interested in this kind of stuff, so I guess more people are seeing about it online - and unlike the faceless mass producers, I'm a very visual, easy target.

On the other hand, our workshops are all about raising extremely high welfare fees range meat, so surely you can't protest about that too much?

I won't stop doing it, as I feel it's too important for people to know about, but I do want to have an honest idea if I need to up security around the place?

See, I told you it was a random one.

Wouldn't hurt to stick up some CCTV. And signs to saying you have it.

@bellinisurge

Wouldn't hurt to stick up some CCTV. And signs to saying you have it.

Thank you, yes, we've already got a lot of cameras ... (we often watch people buying eggs from the farm gate and making sure that put the money in the jam jar ..... )

I suppose theoretically you might, but do you have anyone causing problems at the moment, or anything giving cause for concern?

@Timeforabiscuit

I suppose theoretically you might, but do you have anyone causing problems at the moment, or anything giving cause for concern?

No, I don't, (thankfully) ... but now she's said it - I'm thinking about it. ... (the local abattoir has protestors all the time - often the police are there)

I'm afraid rural crime, including sheep theft/ butchery in the fields, is a thing where I live. It probably makes sense for you to review your security and perhaps be a little more careful about putting out too much specific information on social media. I'd be less worried about protesters unless you think that's a particular issue where you live?

The only thing I might do, is make sure you call a spade a spade, and not use phrases like "ethical meat" on social media, or mix enterprises which might bring people with strong conflating views (tofu making workshop).

People don't protest butchers shops, but it really depends where you are and if you could be an easy target.

I think its more useful that if you are doing this at your own small holding, that everything is secured away from a theft perspective, as I think burglary is more likely than being targeted by activists.

Sounds absolutely brilliant what you're doing, so I hope it doesn't hold you back.

@keepingtheheaton

I'm afraid rural crime, including sheep theft/ butchery in the fields, is a thing where I live. It probably makes sense for you to review your security and perhaps be a little more careful about putting out too much specific information on social media. I'd be less worried about protesters unless you think that's a particular issue where you live?

I think (hope) the rural Crime aspect is covered .... protection dogs, cameras, all buildings right by the house, land locked, ditches all round etc. - oh and the fact we haven't got much to steal .... It really is just the protestors I'm thinking about. The house address is out there on social media, as I do a lot of this voluntary teaching ...

I’d have thought you’re a bit too niche to be discovered. Even if they stumble across you I’d like to think they’d be targeting more high profile targets such as abbatoirs and McDonald’s or Nandos.

@QuebecBagnet

I’d have thought you’re a bit too niche to be discovered. Even if they stumble across you I’d like to think they’d be targeting more high profile targets such as abbatoirs and McDonald’s or Nandos.

Thank you - I think (hope) you're right - I'm not too sure me in my apron around a kitchen table is much to protest about.... but it was just the comment that got me thinking ..

I have had trouble with the animal rights people in the past through work. They filmed us outside the office, took peoples registrations and even followed me home once. DP went out to talk to them when they appeared outside the house as I was in a right state, pure panic. Not sure what he actually said to them as he won't tell me but they never came back, not even to the office.

They tend to go after bigger businesses in the chemicals industry or large factory farmers so you should be fine.

@TheNoonBell

I have had trouble with the animal rights people in the past through work. They filmed us outside the office, took peoples registrations and even followed me home once. DP went out to talk to them when they appeared outside the house as I was in a right state, pure panic. Not sure what he actually said to them as he won't tell me but they never came back, not even to the office.

They tend to go after bigger businesses in the chemicals industry or large factory farmers so you should be fine.

Gosh, I'm sorry that happened to you - but that's exactly the sort of thing I'm imaging. . . From comments so far it seems that I probably don't need to be worrying though ... as a previous poster says, they don't protest outside butchers shops so I'll most likely be ok. Feel better from all these comments.

Are you really worried or are you just advertising for your workshops..

@Atomiccat

Are you really worried or are you just advertising for your workshops..

Not so worried now - people don't seem to think it will cause a mass protest ... I don't think most Mumsnet people are likely to do chicken rearing self sufficiency workshops - I'd advise the charity I volunteer at to pick a better place to advertise than on here ...

Most MN people are mostly not likely to do that, you are right. 😅 Not yet, anyway..I’ll give it time, and I wouldn’t mind doing your workshop myself @Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk