Chicken Cruelty

[centrarchid]

Are your dogs also stressing the birds owing to being excited and being in close proximity to the chickens across the property boundary? Stressors can be additive.

 

[gb77]

Industrial chickens are kept inside 24/7, but they usually have fans and probably temperature control. For a backyard flock it is very unusual to keep them inside a coop all the time, unless it has wire on one side to get air flow.

Honestly, I think you are in a no win situation. No one you call is likely to do anything, even animal control, because it doesn't sound like there are have too many chickens or that they are in conditions that are too terrible or a threat to public health.

It may be difficult to take, but my advice is to leave the situation be. The neighbors are likely to dig in their heels and be even more stubborn if you keep offering advice, good though it may be. You do not want a war with these people.

There's already a war because of this. But I think you are right.Though this is awfully hard to watch, as the coop is literally a few feet from my fence, so I always see it. Last summer, the hens spent at least half their time, outside, which I was happy to see. But I chased cats away from pouncing them, more than a couple times and the owners didn't seem to care, as they never fixed their 3 foot high wire fence they had for them. Now they haven't set foot outside since last fall. Thank you

 

[The Moonshiner]

Why not take some pics of their set up and share?
A pic is worth a thousand words.

 

[gb77]

Are your dogs also stressing the birds owing to being excited and being in close proximity to the chickens across the property boundary? Stressors can be additive.

I take all my dogs for walks so they can get out and sniff all they want and get exercise, so they don't spend much time in the yard, unless we're out there with them. If and when they do bark, or go to that side of fence, we ALWAYS get them and bring them in, because I don't want the hens to be bothered. I figured, I'd want a neighbor to have that kind of consideration for me, so , we bring them in. They never stay outside when we're not home, or doing something that would take our attention away. I was just hoping that someone could tell me if there's anything I can do, so these hens can have a better life.

 

[gb77]

Why not take some pics of their set up and share?
A pic is worth a thousand words.

I can do that. Thanks.

 

[HeiHeisMom]

Hi Everyone,
I live in a small city in NY. Last year my neighbors decided to raise backyard chickens.
It went fine for the most part. I love the hens as I do all animals. Last fall, the same neighbor bought a larger coop that was OK for 6 hens. The problem is, they haven't left the coop yet and it's been like 8-9 months. I've tried being nice. I told them I had chickens for years when I lived in the country as did friends and neighbors. I told them those chickens need out of that coop and they need out now. It's not the first time I said something to them on the matter. I even offered t buy the materials to build a new outdoor run for them. Long story short, i gave them time to fix the issue. The past two days they've sat out in their pool while the hens are in a coop with a steel roof and there's a heat advisory. The cops came and did nothing. The neighbor started screaming and said that those chickens don't need to be outside. Just yesterday she agreed with me that they do need to be out, but they haven't had the time or money to make it happen. I've never, ever heard of anyone not letting their chickens outside. The temp here is 90 today and humid, they're still in the coop. Also, no, they don't even have a fan run to the coop.
Has anyone on here ever kept their chickens only inside their coop? Can anyone tell me if I complain to the City, if they can be made to rehome the hens? I can't find anything on backyard laws except the rooster law and only having 6 hens. I can't stand knowing these beautiful birds suffer everyday.

Heartbreaking

 

[Doc7]

If it wasn’t for the fact that 4 hens died of some unknown cause I wouldn’t be this upset about how someone is managing their livestock, you don’t have a thermometer in his coop to know that it’s not humane in there. We aren’t really sure what 4 hens died of or if they really died. I certainly would be highly offended at cops showing up to my house for keeping chickens in a chicken coop. My chickens have an outdoor run. But my coop is well ventilated and it would not be inhumane to keep them in the coop. His chickens having fun scratching and pecking in the dirt, or lack thereof, is not your concern.

Then again, I am also vociferously opposed to HOAs and pretty much anyone having control over what I do on or with my property within reason.

 

[gb77]

If it wasn’t for the fact that 4 hens died of some unknown cause I wouldn’t be this upset about how someone is managing their livestock, you don’t have a thermometer in his coop to know that it’s not humane in there. We aren’t really sure what 4 hens died of or if they really died. I certainly would be highly offended at cops showing up to my house for keeping chickens in a chicken coop. My chickens have an outdoor run. But my coop is well ventilated and it would not be inhumane to keep them in the coop. His chickens having fun scratching and pecking in the dirt, or lack thereof, is not your concern.

Then again, I am also vociferously opposed to HOAs and pretty much anyone having control over what I do on or with my property within reason.

I agree with Centrachid, you provide very little support for your argument. What 'facts' you provide don't make sense. At first, you said they were put in and never let out, then later you say they spent half the time outside last summer. Then you said they were out until 11 pm when you put them back in. If they've been in the coop for so long, they would have gone in on their own at dusk, not been out walking around. Then you say you put them back in if they escape. Why would you do that if staying in is such a bad thing? Why wouldn't you cheer them for escaping? If they're actually hens and not chicks, then how do you figure the cats are such a threat? How many cats and how big are they? We have cats, too, and my chickens will scare them off.

I couldn't care less what offends him. Those hens haven't seen t he light of day in 9 months. They have no quality of life They aren't even able to be chickens! They don;t get to feel the grass or a breeze or peck or even look for bugs. And the fact that you think that's OK, well I feel real sorry for your chickens. Any I guess animal control and city hall feels the same way. I just returned and the hens are being taken to the Humane Society and rehomed. City Inspector told me today that they were never allowed to have them and will also received a fine. This is a cut and dry matter of more city people buying chickens on whim to be an urban farmer, then locking them away when it's inconvenient.

Edited by staff

 

[sumi]

I think we're done here now guys.