Angry Neighbor with a Gun (fence question)

[Pinenot]

OK...I have to add...most of my chickens can go over my 6 foot dot fence if they really want to. I had to clip wings on my Sumatras, Polish, and Japanees. They find out real fast that they cant fly out but they can still go to their perches or nest boxes.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I don't think you can get a shock unless you have contact with the ground .

 

[Wildsky]

Put some eggs outside his front door - that might change his mind...

With a note "In exchange for the bugs we ate, many more where these came from..... the CHICKENS next door"

 

[joebwe25]

Yes, they would perfectly be able to fly over it.
One winter, when it was really cold, we closed up the hens downstairs in our little hall going from the outside door, into the laundry room. And since the hall has no door closing it from the other room, we had to block it with a board. Soon after that, I went down to feed them and...
There were 4 chickens milling around in the laundryroom, cluckin' there heads off!
So I toss them back in, and they pop back up on the board!This keeps on going for awhile
until FINALLY, I get them to stay in, but they were squawking constantly, until I yelled at them.
They were quiet the rest of the day.

But out in the yard they never seem to mind the fence!
They just act as if it's not there.
Like chickngurl said, "They may not ever fly over the fence but once someone learns how, the rest will likely follow."
I totally agree.
You'll just have to take the chance.

 

[Pinenot]

WildSky-I like your option!

 

[sclanimals]

I'm with wild sky too!

 

[skeeter]

tie a bowling ball to their ankles they dont fly as high then

 

[newchickmom]

I like your idea wild sky! I would also clip their wings.

 

[jab91864]

Yes, they can and probably will someday for whatever reason more then likely go over the fence.

The downside to clipping their wings is it makes it harder for them to escape predators that might get under or over the fence.

At first read the neighbor sounds like a jerk, but in his defense chickens can and will do serious damage to plants. If he gardens he could lose hundreds of dollars worth of plants to a flock of chickens...I know it's happened to my yard...

I try not to think about it to be honest.

Secondly I know ppl who are petrified of birds. I don't get it personally but they do exist. Just like I am phobic about snakes. I realize it's stupid but I can't help it. I know someone who refuses to come to my home because of my birds inside and outside.

Then again maybe he just hates you. Neighbors can be like that.

Lastly, if he's talking about shooting your chickens I wouldn't wander over and try to bribe him with eggs. It might piss him off even more, make him think you're making light of his complaint for whatever reason.

I'd figure out how to contain my flock. Maybe put up a 6 ft privacy fence along that side of the fence....that way you could if needed put up an angled netting system to keep them inside better.

Or you could keep them in a run and only let them out to range when you are their to supervise.

Good luck !!

Julie

 

[kayri]

Sorry that your neighbor is such a jerk.

My neighbors have been nice about my chickens wandering around their yard, even though they do kick the mulch around a lot. I do plan to bribe them with eggs in the spring. Would a 6 ft angled fence work? It might be a bit expensive. . .