Children trespassing

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I live on an acre and a half across the street from a little league field. My chicken coops are set well back from the road right next to my house. I have two sets of chickens, one LF and the other banty. They alternate days out ranging as the roosters tend to fight with each other when out together.

The problem is that during ball season the field is crawling with families and children. Apparently these parents feel like it is a safe place and let their kids run around unsupervised. Twice now I have had little boys (10yo?) run across the street (a whole seperate rant) and wander into my yard to come look at the chickens. That's all well and good, except when they are out ranging. Both of my roosters have a track record of attacking people in their space. Heck, they'll attack me if they think I'm threatening their girls. (Granted, we have words when they attack me and generally they just give me a wide berth.) The few people they have gone for have been grown men wearing jeans so no damage was done. AND the men came by uninvited and were walking in the roosters' space without permission, so I figured the men were at fault. When I know people are coming to the house I leave them all locked up. But these kids are starting to worry me. My BO roo is a big strapping lad and could do quite a bit of damage to a child. Even the banty roo is pretty territorial and could hurt a child.
Should I post a warning sign or does that make me more liable? I don't think I should have to leave my chickens put up during ball season. They already only get to range when I'm home and can check on them. What I really think is that these irresponsible parents should watch their children better, but clearly that's not going to happen. I already have No Trespassing signs posted, but that's not working. I thought about a sign that reads " Roosters will attack". Am I liable if some child comes on my property univited and is hurt? How do I keep the darn kids away? I can't realistically fence the entire street edge. Plus, given the brazeness of some of these kids they would likely climb the fence. Grrrrrr!!!

Any hints or thoughts on the matter?

 

[cluckychick]

We have a neighbor at the lake who has a sign that reads something like "My bull can make it in 8 seconds, can you?" I would put up a sign and if you catch them in your yard still explain to them you have an attack rooster (not that they'll believe you I'm sure) but atleast you did your part.

 

[wyliefarms]

I would get some little fence posts and put it at the edge of your property with some yellow caution tape strung from post to post. I would put the no tresspassing signs on that with attack roosters on the sign.

I agree the parents should watch the kids, but most don't now a days! My pet peeve too!

I would then if a child comes onto my property, go and and escort the kid back to their parents and let them know that they were tresspassing and next time the cops will be called. Word will spread like wildfire and hopefully no one else will try to come over!

 

[CoopCrazy]

I would think you that a sign say warning about your roosters would help to make you less liable... But just guessing.. I don't really know. Could you use that constrution tape to mark off your property when the ball season is in? Just an idea that way if something did happen atleast you can say you put a visual barrier..

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I stopped the one yesterday in his tracks by saying, "Honey, that rooster will attack you in a heartbeat!". He quit walking forward, but didn't turn around and leave.
I don't want to be the mean old witch lady. I do like children and I am happy to teach them about chickens. I just don't want them wandering over and getting their eyes clawed out by a cranky buff orp rooster.

Again, I ask what the heck are their parents doing and why are they letting them go over and talk to strangers? These people don't know me from Adam. I could be all kinds of horrible and they wouldn't know. Why are they letting their kids wander into my yard?

 

[yotetrapper]

I dont know your state laws, but I highly doubt you'd be liable if someone tresspasses in your yard and gets attacked by your chicken. But in this day and age, who knows.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
Not to go too off topic, but what sort of puppy is in your avatar? As far as the kids go, I let my dogs out on any unwanted(s) that wonder in through. I had a big english lab for a while who looked formidable but was in actuality a big scaredy cat. She could knock most people down, only to put both front paws on their chest to lick them to death.

 

[speckledhen]

You'd be well advised to put up NO TRESPASSING signs all over. No one better be on my property without my permission, including children..especially children. People are very litigious these days.

 

[Boyd]

And to go along with what speckled said, I don't let many people get right up to my animals. You never know. Thats why I generally dont buy from swaps or 4h shows.

 

[PotterWatch]

I would do as others have said and post more signs. I might also call the local little league, explain the situation and ask them to let their players and families know that they are not welcome to wander over to your property.