Hi I'm a new member and need some advice

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luv4chicken

luv4chicken

Hatching
Dec 14, 2016
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Hello everyone.
My name is Natashia and I started my flock almost a year ago. BYC has been my go to for info since we started so I have decided to join.
I have free range hens and am having a bit of an issue with my neighbors flock coming into my yard and scarring off my hens to eat all their food. I work from home and spend most of my day outside on my laptop because I don't like staring at the walls of my house all day..lol.. My hens stay in our yard and don't wonder probably because the kids or myself are always outside keeping them company and giving them treats.
I don't think the neighbors feed their flock regularly so they come over here to eat. I don't mind them foraging in my yard because I love chickens, I do have a very big problem with them chasing my hens away from their own food. I have talked to the neighbors and they don't care AT ALL and when I ask them to call their flock back to their yard they throw some bread crumbs down on their door step, but then they come right back.. What should I do? I don't want to hurt them, but offing them seems to be where this is heading.
Any suggestions?
 
Hi there and :welcome
I am glad you joined the flock!
I have a few suggestions on what to do about the feed situation.
Here's a list of them
1.When you feed your hens in the morning/evening stay out with them and if your neighbours
Hens come over just shew them away.

2.Put your hens feeders in the coop and when their finished let them out and take away the feeders.

3.make a small pen to feed your hens in and then let them out side around your yard.

4.Ask your neighbors to put a fence around their hens (I don't think you would do this as I read in the post you love hens :D )

Goodluck
Fionn.
 
Hi and
welcome-byc.gif
I am glad you joined us Natashia! Great advice from the above! I would follow that and see what happens! Keep us updated! Best wishes!
 
luv4chicken said:
Hello everyone.
My name is Natashia and I started my flock almost a year ago. BYC has been my go to for info since we started so I have decided to join.
I have free range hens and am having a bit of an issue with my neighbors flock coming into my yard and scarring off my hens to eat all their food. I work from home and spend most of my day outside on my laptop because I don't like staring at the walls of my house all day..lol.. My hens stay in our yard and don't wonder probably because the kids or myself are always outside keeping them company and giving them treats.
I don't think the neighbors feed their flock regularly so they come over here to eat. I don't mind them foraging in my yard because I love chickens, I do have a very big problem with them chasing my hens away from their own food. I have talked to the neighbors and they don't care AT ALL and when I ask them to call their flock back to their yard they throw some bread crumbs down on their door step, but then they come right back.. What should I do? I don't want to hurt them, but offing them seems to be where this is heading.
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Best idea given was to feed inside your coop twice a day then remove the food. You don't have a good dog that knows your chickens do you? Doesn't have to be a livestock guardian dog, but some will scare intruding birds away.
I have had a collie, English shepherd and shelties that do just that with outside birds, wild birds and wild turkeys. (no other chickens visit.) They quickly figure out what belongs and what doesn't. For some reason rabbits are allowed to stay. (????????????)
 
Thank you for your suggestions Fionn. I sit outside with them every day while they eat and shew the others off, but those little turds just separate and run around me or the house to get back to the food..lol. I will try putting them in a pen while they eat and see if that works. I just feel like if they cant care for them they shouldn't have them. I have offered to feed them if they pitch in with food and we have even offered to help fix the coop they have because they say its broken, but they refused both.
 
I have a dog but he is a large pit bull and I am afraid he will play with them to ruff and hurt of kill them. So I dont leave him outside with them. I would really like a good live stock guardian. We have a pygmy goat and a mini pot belly pig too and the chicken steel their food as well..lol.. All my animals just step aside and let it happen.
 
G’Day from down under Natashia
frow.gif
Welcome!

I am sorry that you are going through this but you have some great tips from ChickenGrass and dekel18042.

I would be concerned that if their chickens are not being well cared for, there is a chance that they might transmit something nasty to your flock. I am guessing you do not have a fence between your yards? Is there any way you can put up something to stop them visiting?

I hope you enjoy BYC. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
wink.png
 
Teila said:
G’Day from down under Natashia
frow.gif
Welcome!

I am sorry that you are going through this but you have some great tips from ChickenGrass and dekel18042.

I would be concerned that if their chickens are not being well cared for, there is a chance that they might transmit something nasty to your flock. I am guessing you do not have a fence between your yards? Is there any way you can put up something to stop them visiting?

I hope you enjoy BYC. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
wink.png
Click to expand...
Yes we have a fence however that does not stop them. They are very determined. I am concerned about my girls getting sick, But keeping them out does not seem like an option and getting cooperation from the owners isn't happening either. My boyfriend just wants to eat them at this point..lol
 
welcome-byc.gif


Sorry for the troubles with the neighbors and their birds. Maybe the next time the neighboring birds show up, keep them there by feeding them and call animal control to pick them up. Of course, if you want to maintain good relations with your neighbors, that might not be the best way to go (but I don't think I'd worry about it at this point).

Good luck!
 
Nice to meet you Natashia, Welcome to Backyard Chickens. I'm sorry I can't add any advice to what you have already been given.
 

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