Chicken Thieves + Stories

[Coturnix Quail]

Alright, so, I have 6 beautiful pet hens and 5 meat-birds. The other day I wasn't home, but my dad was, and he was telling me about how one of my neighbors had come onto the property without permission to investigate where the crowing came from. So, of course, my dad had said hello and they had a little talk and then he left.. Now this is probably me just being crazy and super obsessive, but I feel like someone's out to get them.. I read a couple of stories, and now I'm really freaked out. I'm probably just being crazy, but if you've had experience with chicken thieves, tell me your stories? I'm really curious about this..

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Rustlers! hmm, I would be leery of anyone trespassing to investigate anything on my property. Who does that? In what world does this person live in they think its ok to go snooping around someones property.

I would put out cameras.

Gary

 

[Sara Ranch]

Listen to your instincts!

Invest in a few game cameras and install them.

Maybe install some bright, motion sensitive lights around the coop and the house and in between.

Put leg bands on your chickens. Have pictures of your chickens. For your records.

Go talk to your neighbor and maybe take a few fresh eggs with you as a gift. Ask if the crowing was disturbing him. Ask if he's interested in buying fresh eggs or a fresh chicken from you in the future. (Sometimes this is enough to deter future negative actions.)

I wave and smile at the people who slow down to drive real slow by my place. It unsettles them. They are scoping and here I am being friendly and waving and smiling. They move along a bit faster when they see me out there (which is pretty often).

I also mix up things a bit so they don't see a pattern or a regular schedule that they can make plans from.

 

[Zoomie]

Over the years I've had a lot of people interested in my animals, but that's all they were - just interested. Some people have never seen animals in real life. When I used to show rabbits, I had people follow me to the parking lot of the show ground, because they could see rabbits in the back of my car, and could not figure out what they were, and really wanted to know. I was always friendly and showed them the rabbits, or in some cases GOATS (Yes, I used to haul goats in my car but shhhh, don't tell my husband! ) because these poor people had never had the chance to pet a bunny or a goat.

Where I live now, people frequently stop on the highway to stare in amazement at the animals. They take pictures and so on. I feel really sad for them, that they have never been around horses or goats and think it's so odd they should take a picture. And I've done it too!!! There is a nearby ranch that has the most stunningly beautiful longhorn steers I have ever seen in my life. I have stopped to take pictures of those amazing animals a couple of times, and I hope to paint a picture of those steers for my living room.

It seems highly unlikely to me that a neighbor would have nefarious plans about your chickens. It is entirely possible that he simply had no idea what those were. Very sadly, there are many people these days who have never been close to an animal, except for maybe a cat or a dog.

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Rustlers! hmm, I would be leery of anyone trespassing to investigate anything on my property. Who does that? In what world does this person live in they think its ok to go snooping around someones property.

I would put out cameras.

Gary

I agree.. It's still a little creepy for me that he just walked on up.. And the fact I only met him once.. Also, he doesn't even know who's house it is!

Listen to your instincts!

Invest in a few game cameras and install them.

Maybe install some bright, motion sensitive lights around the coop and the house and in between.

Put leg bands on your chickens. Have pictures of your chickens. For your records.

Go talk to your neighbor and maybe take a few fresh eggs with you as a gift. Ask if the crowing was disturbing him. Ask if he's interested in buying fresh eggs or a fresh chicken from you in the future. (Sometimes this is enough to deter future negative actions.)

I wave and smile at the people who slow down to drive real slow by my place. It unsettles them. They are scoping and here I am being friendly and waving and smiling. They move along a bit faster when they see me out there (which is pretty often).

I also mix up things a bit so they don't see a pattern or a regular schedule that they can make plans from.

Cameras, Leg bands, and pictures of the chickens seem like good ideas.. Gifts too! I also smile at people who drive by really slowly, but it's sort of creepy sometimes.. Mixing up a schedule is also a very good idea, but unfortunately, most weekends I'm busy with other things.. I'll just have to find time!

Over the years I've had a lot of people interested in my animals, but that's all they were - just interested. Some people have never seen animals in real life. When I used to show rabbits, I had people follow me to the parking lot of the show ground, because they could see rabbits in the back of my car, and could not figure out what they were, and really wanted to know. I was always friendly and showed them the rabbits, or in some cases GOATS (Yes, I used to haul goats in my car but shhhh, don't tell my husband! ) because these poor people had never had the chance to pet a bunny or a goat.

Where I live now, people frequently stop on the highway to stare in amazement at the animals. They take pictures and so on. I feel really sad for them, that they have never been around horses or goats and think it's so odd they should take a picture. And I've done it too!!! There is a nearby ranch that has the most stunningly beautiful longhorn steers I have ever seen in my life. I have stopped to take pictures of those amazing animals a couple of times, and I hope to paint a picture of those steers for my living room.

It seems highly unlikely to me that a neighbor would have nefarious plans about your chickens. It is entirely possible that he simply had no idea what those were. Very sadly, there are many people these days who have never been close to an animal, except for maybe a cat or a dog.

Maybe you're right.. I might just be paranoid.. I'll definitely keep an eye out though.

 

[BantyChooks]

Also, he doesn't even know who's house it is!

Now that's really unnerving. Not sure what I'd do in your case.

 

[ScottandSam]

When we moved to the country 11 years ago at 35. I got to know all the thieves and drug dealers very quickly. We started building a few years later and the contacts I made kept me informed on who was looking around my property after hours. I paid them to a vist with some beers. Im not into drugs or stealing or really even drinking But by offering beer on a couple occasions I now have a good ear as to who the trouble makers are. And by knowing what they do they have respect for us and our property. Besides if anything Happened now I'd know exactly where to go to get my stuff back.

Scott

 

[ScottandSam]

It kind of like that old saying keep friends close by and your enemies closer.

Scott

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Now that's really unnerving. Not sure what I'd do in your case.

It is.. Curiosity shouldn't allow him to just stroll right into my backyard..

 

[Wyorp Rock]

"Neighbor" claimed he was investigating where the crowing was coming from. Do you have a rooster? Are roosters "allowed" where you live?

If you have an HOA or city/county ordinance that doesn't allow roosters - could be your "neighbor" is being nosy and going to turn you in.

You have gotten some great ideas - I live out in the country, but I monitor everything pretty closely - I do use cameras. Also installing a padlock to your coop doors and entry points would be a good idea. I padlock my coop at night and the run doors during the day if I'm going to be away. I have an elderly couple that walks down to look at my girls every once in a while - one day I came home and my rooster was having a fit - he had blocked the girls in the coop against these strangers. My neighbors had been trying to open the door so they could pet one I'm glad I had it locked up - my rooster looked like he might attack - I didn't want that kind of mess on my hands.