Angry neighbor - clipping wings coming

[tjcib]

Our angry neighbor came over today. Just ONE DAY after our brand new fence installed, two birds got out (somehow). The neighbor proceeded to tell me every chicken law, which am following...except I let them out in the back yard...our county says max 6 birds must stay in a run of no more than 40 sq.ft...that seems small...

Anyways, she said that if we keep our birds out of her yard, she won't call the county... (strangely enough, she has three bird feeders in her yard but doesn't want my birds in there...whatever...)

Our fence is 4 feet. We have 6 Australorps. I'm hoping a single side clipped will keep them inside the fence. My three young boys are super upset that she threatened to call "the police"...

Sorry for blowing off steam.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Wild birds are not nearly as destructive as chickens, chickens leave lots of nasty poo piles and dig/ scratch up landscaping like there's no tomorrow. Be grateful she did come to you. Even with a clipped wing 4 feet may not keep them in.... @centrarchid had a good post recently about a severe clip job that may be something to consider

 

[centrarchid]

Try a single wing clip first. If that does not do job, then clip other as well. Make certain you clip close.

I would indicated to neighbor what you are doing to increase odds of understanding as you make adjustments.

 

[Nupe]

Wild bird feed is expensive. I can't believe how much my Mom spends on that crap. You can't blame your neighbor for not wanting the chickens gobbling it up and you don't want them to do it either because it will decrease your egg quality/quantity. The problem is now your chickens know it's there and will do everything possible to return. I think I would work more on increasing their run and giving them yard clippings.

 

[lazy gardener]

Even with clipped wings, your birds may escape a 4' fence. Is that their run fence, or is that your "yard" fence? I'm sure you know that it is the owner's responsibility to keep his birds home. Good that your neighbor is not jumping on this with the ACO. Many folks take pride in their manicured lawns and bordered/mulched flower gardens. I can understand how one could be angered by marauding chickens. Agreed that 40 s.f. for a run is too small for 6 chickens. I would limit my flock to 4 birds under such circumstances. Could you build a 40 s.f. tractor to give you more options????

 

[Folly's place]

Your birds need to stay home, whatever it takes to make that happen. She hasn't had chicken pot pies yet, which is a good thing. I try very hard to keep my flock home, and apologize profusely if any get to the neighbor's, and would understand if the trespassing birds didn't make it home. You may need to confine your birds in their run for a while, and do some serious wing clipping too. Mary

 

[centrarchid]

If I clipped their wings, then they would not be able to clear a 2 foot fence.

 

[tjcib]

Thanks guys. I realize it is my/our responsibility to keep them home. I apologized profusely and wasn't standoffish.

Oddly. They didn't find her bird feeders, they just like that she uses old leaves as mulch.

Their run is completely enclosed, so that works. I will clip one wing and see. They are still young...23 weeks...so hopefully we can break the behavior. The problem is we think their confinement is negatively affecting their egg production.

 

[Folly's place]

Any change will cause some stress, and may impact egg production. Sometimes it seems like it's the phases of the moon, or Jupiter near Mars, or a predator in the next county, or something. Today I got eleven eggs rather than eighteen! I do try to keep smiling, and go on. Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

netting over the top will work too. It is cheap.