neighbors chickens are going to become my chickens.

They would be in my soup pot!

looks like I have myself a new chicken. She was in there this am when I came home and stayed when I opened the gate to let everyone out-thought maybe she'd head for the hills. I fell asleep on the couch (ah the luxury of not working my part time shift tonight) so it was beyond dark when I went out to close up. Don't know if she stayed or wandered home. Will see in the am. Tomorrow however, I don't let them out due to my schedule so she's in for the duration now. Do I chalk it up to chickens being chickens or break down and offer them something for her? I didn't take her and don't really need another one but if she wants to stay I don't suppose I can make her go?

You tell the neighbors one of their chickens claimed your coop home and point out the fencing you provided and where the break in fence is. If they don't want to fix it ask if you can do it on their side as it's clear work area.

If they want their bird back tell them to come on over and get it. Perhaps you can aid the person and working together patch the break in a mere hour or two. Sounds like it would be a great neighbor project and get to know one another time to be had.

Neighbor relations are what you make of them. Sounds like you've never talked to them. I'd offer to fix it or aid in fixing it and obviously tell them about their bird. It shows there is a problem their losing birds due to the break in fence and your there face to face to quickly resolve how it will be resolved. With a smile on your face obviously.

Property line fences are sometimes owned by both neighbors, that would be on your deed I'd assume. But that's nothing to think about just showing the problem and coming to solution is the real situation. Proof of the problem of birds coming on your lawn is they are wanting to roost in your coop.

Very good advice Egghead

I'd open and close the door as normal; if a stray is in there, so be it. If you don't want extra birds, I would call/send a letter to let them know and, if it continues, off to the freezer it would go. As to the fence, I also have neighbors who don't fix their fence (or anything, for that matter). When we were looking at the hole with intent to repair, the lady came and told us it was not ours. Why would she care if I fix it? So, I have decided to leave the hole. If a dog (another neighbor's, just young and not trained) comes in my yard then I'll take it up with him or set up a temporary fence. I"m thinking of the kind you drive the posts in the ground and run wire, could put it up on my side of the holey fence and keep the dog out.

I may have already suggested it, but with neighbor's dog being a possible issue, if my budget could stretch enough, I'd get electric poultry net. No dog will mess with that!

Quote:
2nd that a cooked chicken looks like any other cooked chicken

If it comes all by itself, you are not a chicken thief. You are just a kind person who feeds stray animals--it's not your fault if they decide to stay. If you don't want an extra bird, I vote on cooking it.

so I had been doing what you talked about Trudyg - I left my girls out and in as I would regardless of the "wanderer". She had been staying around so was in and out with them. Today was the first time I had a chance to let them range for a good part of the day. I left them out around 11 30 this am. Had the day to myself- short day at work and not 2nd job till later. So when later rolled around-3 pm-ish-I went out to get everyone put away, and along with my girls and the wanderer, were two of her "old flock" all happily scratching and pecking together. I went out- grabbed the cheerios and called like I normally do and little miss W followed my girls right into the run. I thought for sure the "reminiscing" with her old cronies would sway her but apparently not. So- as far as I am concerned-she is now part of my girls. Will need to get some pics and see what she is- rather red in color-built like my leghorns but maybe a bit stockier and much smaller comb. She is still a little nervous when I walk around but hopefully Sun I can get some shots and some thoughts on her breed. Not how I expected it to go- but hey-can't reason with her, gotta just let her do her thing. LOL