darkbaysfordays
Songster
Hello! I currently have six 4-week old chicks (3 SLW, 3 JG) and five 2-week old chicks (Ameraucanas). I bought them all as pullets and so far none look like roos but it is early to know for sure.
My husband and I purchased our property last August and I couldn't wait to finally start my own flock this year! We are in the country on 30+ acres but wouldn't you know it, we got a new neighbor directly across the street shortly after we bought the property who brought his adult flock with him. He's got a mixed flock (Barred Rocks, Rhodeys, Orpingtons, and a Speckled Sussex who is just the sassiest girl). He has one Rhodey roo and must've hatched or somehow acquired another roo (not sure what mix he is) this spring because he just started showing up too and hasn't quite figured out how to crow.
Anyway, his chickens LOVE my yard (and maybe me?). I think they spend all day at my house and then go across the road to sleep and lay. When I get home from work, they run over and greet me. I've never fed them but have picked up the roo and made him shame selfie for spurring me (I know, I know...). The neighbor has apologized and brought us eggs and I don't really mind. Obviously chickens crossing the road has caused a traffic jam or two and can be a little scary. Knock on wood, none have been hit yet.
I would love to free range my own girls once they're old enough. I know they inevitably don't stay where you want them to and predator loss is real. My question is whether it would be necessary to get my own roo and/or if I have any chance of my chicks joining his flock. I don't really want my chickens in the road (or his for that matter) so I could in theory put up a fence by the road but then I'd have to figure out a gate for the driveway too. I'm not sure if getting my own roo would keep his flock away. I know someone is going to say I should tell him to fence his own yard but I don't really want to be that neighbor.
A neighbor even further down the road has a flock of guinea hens and before my chicken-keeping neighbor moved in, the guineas would come down and hang out in my yard every day. I don't know if I have exquisite grass and bugs or what, but my yard is the cool place to be if you're a bird apparently
Has anyone had chickens and tried to NOT integrate flocks between neighbors?
My husband and I purchased our property last August and I couldn't wait to finally start my own flock this year! We are in the country on 30+ acres but wouldn't you know it, we got a new neighbor directly across the street shortly after we bought the property who brought his adult flock with him. He's got a mixed flock (Barred Rocks, Rhodeys, Orpingtons, and a Speckled Sussex who is just the sassiest girl). He has one Rhodey roo and must've hatched or somehow acquired another roo (not sure what mix he is) this spring because he just started showing up too and hasn't quite figured out how to crow.
Anyway, his chickens LOVE my yard (and maybe me?). I think they spend all day at my house and then go across the road to sleep and lay. When I get home from work, they run over and greet me. I've never fed them but have picked up the roo and made him shame selfie for spurring me (I know, I know...). The neighbor has apologized and brought us eggs and I don't really mind. Obviously chickens crossing the road has caused a traffic jam or two and can be a little scary. Knock on wood, none have been hit yet.
I would love to free range my own girls once they're old enough. I know they inevitably don't stay where you want them to and predator loss is real. My question is whether it would be necessary to get my own roo and/or if I have any chance of my chicks joining his flock. I don't really want my chickens in the road (or his for that matter) so I could in theory put up a fence by the road but then I'd have to figure out a gate for the driveway too. I'm not sure if getting my own roo would keep his flock away. I know someone is going to say I should tell him to fence his own yard but I don't really want to be that neighbor.
A neighbor even further down the road has a flock of guinea hens and before my chicken-keeping neighbor moved in, the guineas would come down and hang out in my yard every day. I don't know if I have exquisite grass and bugs or what, but my yard is the cool place to be if you're a bird apparently
Has anyone had chickens and tried to NOT integrate flocks between neighbors?