Can I keep a chicken that's been wandering on my property?

[pdirt]

FYI-- the rooster walked into my open coop a couple days ago. I have a low fence (with lots of ways to climb out, my girls with clipped wings still occasionally hop the fence if they see something more interesting on the other side) and he has chosen to stay. He integrated into my flock like he belonged there, so I have a feeling he'd been hanging out outside the fence talking to my girls for a lot longer than I knew!

I really don't think I stole him, in fact at this point I think I saved him by letting him in. It's below freezing outside with over a foot of snow this week :/

Perhaps you have helped him by giving him a temporary home during the hard weather. A neighbor (perhaps one of the two houses you mentioned) may be looking for him.

You haven't proven that he was abused, simply misplaced. That's awfully like stealing in my book. Take care of him, for now, but as soon as the weather improves, try to find his rightful owner. For all you know, they will say, "Keep him if you want."

I'm not saying the rooster doesn't belong there with you. It sounds like he likes it. I agree we should always do what is best for the animal, but to blatantly ignore the human element (his owner) isn't right. You haven't followed through with the courtesy of at least giving any attempt at finding his original owner. That is disrespectful, IMO.

You might not agree with me, but you did start this thread asking for us to give you feedback on if we thought you should be able to keep him. I'm not saying I don't think you can't keep him, but I don't agree with the way you're going about it.

 

[aart]

Ditto's pdirts post...and much better said that I would have said it.

 

[centrarchid]

Based on what I understand of suliah's account,, she has not stolen the rooster. If it has the ability to fly out while not under duress, then she is not confining it. A picture of the bird still would be help in assessing rooster's flight potential.

 

[lazy gardener]

Ditto x 3. If you've ever lost an animal, you know the heart ache of looking for the missing one, and not being able to find him.

 

[pdirt]

Based on what I understand of suliah's account,, she has not stolen the rooster. If it has the ability to fly out while not under duress, then she is not confining it. A picture of the bird still would be help in assessing rooster's flight potential.

And if a dog showed up at your place, one that looked healthy and even had a collar (with no ID), would you just take it in, without lifting a finger as to where she may have come from? And just because when you let it outside, it didn't run away, you don't consider that stealing?

"Stealing" is a harsh word and I don't believe it is suliah's direct intention of doing so. But her actions, in a court of law (or in one's own conscience), could very easily be seen as such.

 

[centrarchid]

And if a dog showed up at your place, one that looked healthy and even had a collar (with no ID), would you just take it in, without lifting a finger as to where she may have come from? And just because when you let it outside, it didn't run away, you don't consider that stealing?

"Stealing" is a harsh word and I don't believe it is suliah's direct intention of doing so. But her actions, in a court of law (or in one's own conscience), could very easily be seen as such.

Effort should be invested finding owner with local authorities informed and ownership will not be recognized immediately. If ID of owner is not known, confinement or turning in of said animal is a legal approach and in this situation the most appropriate approach. If during the confinement, more is invested in animal upkeep-wise than it is valued, then if I so choose it is mine. If not chosen, then it becomes property of the state and sale of said animal will in part offset my investment in it.

Michigan State statutes should be consulted and it is likely precedence exist especially if chicken is considered livestock,

 

[CrazyTalk]

It's really tough to give advice here, because laws are going to vary state-to-state. With a rooster I doubt you're going to have a problem.

Anyways (VA)- where I am - for claiming stray animals you have to call animal control and let them know that you caught a stray, and intend to keep it. Animal Control takes note of that, and then the owner has 15 days to lay claim to the animal.(it's only 5 days if there's no collar, microchip, tag, or brand to identify the owner) If the owner has not made a claim in 15(5) days, you own the animal. If you don't notify animal control, the owner can seize the animal at any time - IE, 6 months from now the owner could just say "Hey, that's my rooster" and take the rooster.

 

[pdirt]

Quote:

It's really tough to give advice here, because laws are going to vary state-to-state. With a rooster I doubt you're going to have a problem.

Anyways (VA)- where I am - for claiming stray animals you have to call animal control and let them know that you caught a stray, and intend to keep it. Animal Control takes note of that, and then the owner has 15 days to lay claim to the animal.(it's only 5 days if there's no collar, microchip, tag, or brand to identify the owner) If the owner has not made a claim in 15(5) days, you own the animal. If you don't notify animal control, the owner can seize the animal at any time - IE, 6 months from now the owner could just say "Hey, that's my rooster" and take the rooster.

Both very good points of finding out one's local laws and contacting appropriate authorities.

While one may follow the law to a T, getting the law uneccessarily involved often doesn't foster good will between the two parties, especially neighbors. And one doesn't need to look up any laws to be neighborly, even if you've never met the neighbor before. It's such a simple approach and one I would recommend first, unless one had a good reason not to (personal safety, etc.).

 

[centrarchid]

Standard protocol of stray animal in agricultural setting here is immediate confinement, when practical, to facilitate owners retrieval of animal(s). Prevents damage to property of landowner as well and reduces risk of damage to animal through depredation (particularly relevant with poultry) or collision with vehicular traffic (think horses or cattle roaming outside of fences near road).

 

[pdirt]

Standard protocol of stray animal in agricultural setting here is immediate confinement, when practical, to facilitate owners retrieval of animal(s). Prevents damage to property of landowner as well and reduces risk of damage to animal through depredation (particularly relevant with poultry) or collision with vehicular traffic (think horses or cattle roaming outside of fences near road).

That makes total sense, a very reasonable protocol.

But the OP is doing nothing to "facilitate owners retrieval", other than housing it, though she isn't confining it against the animal's will.

Maybe the thing I am not understanding is perhaps it's a city vs. rural thing. In the city, people tend to reach out to neighbors to find out who's dog it is. Perhaps the common practice in rural settings is to wait for the owner to come get the animal. Help your neighbors vs. people help themselves. Both ways valid, just different.