Chickens in the road..

[JoePa]

Quote:
What ever happened to driving at a reasonable rate of speed and having your car under control on a dirt road? I grew up on dirt roads, and anyone with an operable number of brain cells knew that speeding was ludicrous.

You don't have to be speeding - your driving down the road and all of a sudden you got to stop because there are chickens on the road - where they don't belong - why do people who own chickens and cats someohow figure that their animals have the right to roam all over the place - but then if some dogs start coming around they get all bent out of shape - if I was driving down the road and have to continue to stop because there were chickens on the road - I get a little tired of it and one day start driving through them and let the feathers fly -

 

[ladyride]

I agree that the note writer is a coward . But you do need to take responsiblity for your animals . there are threads all over this site about uncontrolled dogs & other critters & how angry & hurt we all get when 1 of those citters get our chickey babies.

I get really upset when neighbors fail to control their dogs & I live in the country where they roam at will . My chickeys can't even free range for all the critters that are around some are underfed & just looking for lunch.

. There are young drivers here the thought of them swerving to miss a chickey puts thier life & safety in your hands. I wouldn't want to come home & find 1 of my babies squished on the road

. But this has been an issue I have had for many years even when living in the city , I have always had little dogs but always in a securely fenced yard , which hardly counts when a larger dog decides lunch. Now I sometimes worry that the hungry hunting dogs around that run free will sometime see my little dogs as lunch as well. It is a rational thought about fencing your road frontage for your chickens as well as protecting some young driver from unneccessary trauma.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Quote:
Agreed!!!

As much as I enjoy seeing chickens out doing their thing I have to agree with keeping one's animals on one's property. If they are in the road, no matter the speed of traffic, and someone is concerned about hitting them, then that should be corrected.

My chickens roam my pasture but are completely fenced. I figure I do not allow my goats, dogs or any other animals to roam at will, get into the road, or visit other folk's property, so why should my chickens? Especially since they are the most vulnerable to attack.

I think if we as chicken owner's want other folk's to respect our property and keep their animals at home then we need to do the same.

 

[bufforp89]

I do take responsibility for my animals, the field across the street is mine as well and the road is public so I intend on keeping them freeranging for as long as I choose. My chickens are rarely in the road and I of course shoo them out when I see them.

Not to mention my road is posted 30mph, there is a huge deer and rabbit population in my area, several dogs that run loose in the area, neighbors chickens, a dairy farm down the road that constantly has cows loose this time of year due to soggy ground not holding the fence up..Dont even get me started on the ammount of potholes and bumps. Obviously there are dangers when driving on a back road..I think my chickens being in the road occasionally would be the least of anyones probloms.

Thanks for all the replys. Interesting to see such a variety of strong opinions.

 

[Blue]

Quote:
In that case, I'd just post those Chicken Crossing signs and be done with it.

Ah, I remember when our road was dirt and gravel. I think I liked it better before it got paved because after that, more people started moving in, and it just doesn't feel quite as rural anymore. *sigh*

 

[sourland]

Quote:
In that case, I'd just post those Chicken Crossing signs and be done with it.

Ah, I remember when our road was dirt and gravel. I think I liked it better before it got paved because after that, more people started moving in, and it just doesn't feel quite as rural anymore. *sigh*

Blue, it's known as the citification of America. People move to the country and then want to apply city rules. One of the few advantages to being my age is that I grew up in the best of times when country was still country. People respected the rights of others, minded their own business, and if neighbors had problems they worked them out in a civilized fashion. Lord, all of this is making me feel old.

 

[NYRIR]

I agree with the chicken crossing signs ...and be done with it! If the OP's property is across the road as well...then sheesh...and I agree with Sourland...what's with the "citifying" the country? I have a fence around my backyard for my chickens because that's my choice.They CAN get out of the yard if they want to but most don't.I decided on fencing for OTHER peoples dogs etc to "deter" them from bothering my birds.I think the bigger problem is people flying down the dirt roads! What difference does it make if it's a chicken crossing the road...or a canadian goose...or a deer...or a cat...or a fox....or a rabbit...etc.THERE ARE ANIMALS IN THE ROADS IN THE COUNTRY.ALL THE TIME.PERIOD.It's part of what makes it the country....if the OP's willing to risk a chicken getting hit...it's his choice.Sounds like the chickens are still on his/her property, save the road.Anyway, I think if you live in the country,you should be able to feel like you are living in the country...not the city!
Ok,I'm done now!

 

[Wifezilla]

why do people who own chickens and cats someohow figure that their animals have the right to roam all over the place

Because some people are rude, inconsiderate and irresponsible?​

 

[NYRIR]

Quote:
Because some people are rude, inconsiderate and irresponsible?

C'mon now....my cats LOVE going outdoors.I would feel awful forcing them to stay in.And there's no way I'm building a run for my cats! I look at it this way, they're neutered,vaccinated and healthy.If something happens to them outside...I'd be upset but not as upset as I would be forcing them to stay inside when they don't want to.I understand if you live in the city or have a main road right by your house,etc.but really,Wifezilla, keeping cats contained in the country? P'shaw! As for the chickens? I'm sure it depends a lot on your location to neighbors etc,but sheesh...what's country living without animals running amuck??B-O-R-I-N-G.
JMO...but I wouldn't consider people "rude,or inconsiderate or irresponsible" either way.I think it's a personal choice.
So....maybe I wasn't done

 

[Wifezilla]

If you cat has the habit of playing in the road.....?