Mean People Suck

 

There's nothing new under the sun, but hatefulness in people is definitely getting worse. It's all over the internet of course, but I'll see someone asking an innocent question, seeking help with their chickens, gardens, anything, and people put laughing emojis, and make rude and sarcastic comments. Then you have breeder in-fighting, people commenting about prices of chicks or eggs being ridiculous, just no shame about saying anything and everything. I've seen a large amout of breeders posting about this. And the "mean girl" bullies ganging up on someone who dares to mention a bad experience with one of their friends. Just go visit the group 'good egg bad egg' to see that in action. 🙄 I've seen it in the plant community as well as everything else.
It discourages and embarrasses people. I feel sorry for decent people who get this kind of treatment, and won't tolerate it here. I grew up a farm kid, have always had chickens and other animals, worked at a dairy farm, and have worked on my current silkies for 6+ years. I ask a fraction of what I've paid for chicks, adults and eggs to get good quality genes to work with. I keep bedding clean, feed good quality feed and supplements, do preventative treatment for mites ect. I'm a member of breed clubs, and the APA. I own and have referred to an APA breed standard. I've had my chickens tested by the stated for the NPIP and AI program. (Not currently participating.) Even though I considered it, I haven't shown my chickens. In summary, I have experience. When you get older, (I'm 51,) you realize that the saying "life is short," is very true. You wonder how the years have flown by and evaluate your life, beliefs, and time. What matters to me, is how God sees me, and how my children and grandchildren will remember me one day. Not what some snobby chicken person, or other person thinks. 😄
I will enjoy my hobbies with plants, and my animals, and probably sell both for less than they're worth, but be satisfied with what I pass on to others. If I want to breed and enjoy adorable fuzzballs, even if some aren't an accepted variety because of color or feather type ect, I sure will!
So if you're being bullied, or put down, or trying to hold yourself to impossible standards of what other seem to be, but probably arent, evaluate why you're doing something in the first place. And just a friendly observation...if you're one of the mean people out there, you suck! 🙃