Are Chickens a Danger to Horses? Bad Couple Months With Neighbors

[Sonoran Silkies]

Several years ago a horse in our community stalls spooked while its head was between the railings to another stall. These stalls have very typical openings between the railings. Long story short, the horse broke its neck and died.

Horses are very susceptble to spooking--it is a part of their nature. Some breeds are more susceptible than others, and training and familiarity can reduce but not eliminate the risk of spooking. So yes, Maxx, your chickens are a very real danger to the horses when they fly over or get through your fence into the neighboring property. It really is pretty much the same (in reverse) as if they had a dog that was getting into your yard and posing a risk to your birds.

You need to make sure that the fencing is close enough to the ground that the chickens do not get under it, has small enough openings (if any) that the chickens cannot get through it, and tall enough that they cannot get over it. If there are bushes or other objects that the chickens can use as a ladder next to the fence, they likely will. I have 8' block walls, and for the most part my birds have never flown over. However, I HAVE had a few who will go over if there are intermediate "steps" to get over the fence. When I had guineas, they DID fly over the fence. One of my muscovies is nearing the point where she can fly over it.

Consider clipping wings (if you are not showing them), or as others have suggested, use a tractor when letting them range in the yard. Make sure the neighbors know that you are trying to contain them.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

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Keep your birds on your property and you won't have to deal with tension with your neighbor.

Remember the old farmer's adage: "Good fences make good neighbors"

Um what do you think I am trying to do? Do think that I would just let them keep going over there?

Well since you called me out I'll answer.

Since you have received "threat" letters from your neighbor I'd say you haven't done much to contain your birds.

I doubt the people that visit your neighbors farm to look at a $100,000 Hunter Jumper are too impressed with chickens running around the stable and I can't blame them.

As many have already stated, keep your birds on your side of the fence and all will be well.

Jim

 

[crtrlovr]

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Yep. It would be nice if your neighbors would be nicer, but bottom line is if your chickens are on their property and get caught in a trap, or killed in some other way while there, it would be your responsbility/fault. I know that may sound harsh, but you need to find a way to keep your chickens on your side of the property line. Cover the run with chicken wire or run fishing line, fill in any holes in the fence or under the fence, etc. Make a temporary run or tractor for them to freerange in but still be contained on your property. In short, do whatever you can to keep them where you belong, for your own peace of mind and the safety of your chickens.

 

[calista]

I must agree with the majority on the answers and advice you are receiving.

Your neighbors have just as much right to be free of any possible influence on their horses' behavior caused by your free-ranging chickens as you do to be free of having their horses stomp around in your chicken yard and possibly injuring or killing any of your birds.

Fence them in so they free-range ONLY on your property. It's the neighborly thing to do.

 

[dianaross77]

Can I ask why you put in a link to the horse farm in the original post?

As for the neighbor issue, I have dogs. That doesn't mean I would want someone else's dogs in my yard. So I have to agree with everyone else. IMO your neighbors shouldn't need a reason not to want someone else's animals on their property.

 

[desertdarlene]

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The last time I rode a horse, which was years ago, I was on a young mount and a box on the ground blew in the wind just slightly and he started bucking. Even though I saw the box and knew what was going to happen, I still had a very serious fall and hit my head. Luckily, I had a helmet on.

 

[Lifesong Farm]

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As usual we always let our chickens out on the weekend once a week.

If they are penned up for most of the time, then they are used to it. Until a fence is secured just don't let them out.

Umm ditto what bywaterdog said. The first thing I did was go look at their sale horses. Do you really want to fork over 150k or more for a horse that had to be euthanized because a chicken spooked it? On the other side do you want to see your chicken pounded into the ground because the horse attacked instead of running. My horse spooked the first time she saw chickens. The second time she killed one. Not fun to watch. Now she will chase them when they annoy her but that's it.

 

[newchickgal]

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Even though they are bigger than a lot of things they can be killed by a little snake. Keep in mind that they were prey for animals in the wild which is why they can spook at even the most innocent things, a plastic bag or a little chicken. If they get used to the chickens being around them then they are ok with it.

 

[averytds]

I agree with everyone else. Clip wings, pen, tractor, whatever is needed to keep your birds on your property.


Something else to consider that I haven't seen mentioned...since they also have birds, one of your birds could easily pick up something from their flock, bring it back to yours and wipe out your entire flock.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

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Um what do you think I am trying to do? Do think that I would just let them keep going over there?

Well since you called me out I'll answer.

Since you have received "threat" letters from your neighbor I'd say you haven't done much to contain your birds.

I doubt the people that visit your neighbors farm to look at a $100,000 Hunter Jumper are too impressed with chickens running around the stable and I can't blame them.

As many have already stated, keep your birds on your side of the fence and all will be well.

Jim​

X2

Also, since letting them out is an only once a week thing, it won't be hard to not let them out at all until the fence is secure enough for them not to leave your property.