Free ranging problem with neighbor

[TrustyRusty]

Ok so let me start by stating - I absolutely do not regret free ranging my chickens. They are healthy, happy, produce good eggs and it’s less work.

But now my neighbor has suddenly decided they are a problem after MONTHS. I can’t suddenly make them not free range. I have been making them stay in the run more because of a fox that ran into my yard (attempt was not successful) but still- after like 10 am my chickens go out in the world and find their food. And I would just like to state- I only have 5 birds left. We got 8 originally and it’s my first flock so I wanted to start small and learn. We are surrounded by woods and fields but sometimes they go in her yard. It feels more frustrating than anything else because they don’t actually do anything over there except eat bugs. She doesn’t have a garden in any form- it’s just a lawn.Maybe I am just looking to vent...

Please forgive my bluntness, but I think you are rude and disrespectful to your neighbor. To allow YOUR chickens "free-range" to eat and poop on your neighbor's lawn is just about as bad as having your dogs do the same. Though I am a chicken lover, I would hate it if my neighbor set HIS chickens loose and defecate on my lawn. Just saying, there are two sides to each story.

 

[TrustyRusty]

By the way, it is my opinion that the term, "Free Range" is another "feel-good, modern expression" to describe a popularized method of raising meat and/or egg animals. Free range or free ranging are "new speak" terms that have rhetorical implications, just like "weather change" and "organic". Instead of stating that you "free range" your chickens, maybe you should just say that you open your pens to allow your chickens to run loose in the neighborhood, pooping in your neighbors' yards as they make their rounds...

 

[LaFleche]

Well! Lol.

As the original poster yes I am very aware of property rights. I am also aware that their elderly dog wanders into our yard because they don’t have a fence and just let their dog out. Also- both of her teenage children play with my chickens. And yes once again I understand property rights.

I have been keeping my chickens in the run more. In fact they are in there as I speak. My bf and I have been talking about how we can expand the run. But it’s not gonna happen till spring.And I have thought maybe if I give her some eggs she won’t care so much But I should go talk to her face to face. It’s not a big run because we did not intend them to be in there all day. I have included a picture. We transformed a playscape to a chicken coop this past spring...View attachment 2350441

To keep them entertained while adjusting to their lack of freedom you could provide them with a hanging cabbage to pick on or some apples on a string etc.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

I get really discouraged by the angry or emotionally charged replies in these types of threads.

 

[black_cat]

I may have missed this, but if you want to let them free range, have you tried asking the neighbor why it is an issue? You could try politely asking why it is a problem, as her daughters enjoy your chickens and their dog comes into your yard. Maybe you could work out an agreement that gets them some free ranging time, but not all day? Or you could offer to routinely go and clean up the poop? I also think that fencing your yard or containing your birds would be a good idea, at least for the time being.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

Please forgive my bluntness, but I think you are rude and disrespectful to your neighbor.

Would you talk this way if the OP was your friend? Sometimes things come across very differently over text than in person and you don’t come across as “blunt”... I think OP was posting for help and that’s what we should be giving.

 

[3KillerBs]

I feel sorry that she is your neighbor and wants to complain about a non issue. Does she have dogs? Maybe that is why.

If the owner of the property says it's an issue then it's an issue no matter what anyone else might think about it.

It is 100% an animal owners' responsibility to keep his animals on his own property unless the other property's owner has specifically and formally authorized the animals to be there.

 

[room onthebroom]

Would you talk this way if the OP was your friend?

Yes. The truth often hurts & its very often not what we want to hear. People who don’t tell it to you straight are not your friend.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

If the owner of the property says it's an issue then it's an issue no matter what anyone else might think about it.

It is 100% an animal owners' responsibility to keep his animals on his own property unless the other property's owner has specifically and formally authorized the animals to be there.

Including said neighbors dog.

 

[3KillerBs]

Including said neighbors dog.

The neighbor is responsible for the dog. The chicken owner is responsible for the chickens.

It's not complicated.