Having problems with my neighbor...

[sophiaw00]

I have 9 hens and a rooster. They have been free ranging from 3 PM until bedtime for the past 3 days. My neighbors have never had a problem with my chickens, as they have 2 of their own - Martha & Henrietta.

Before I allowed my chickens to free range, his hens would always be on our property. I don't mind at all. They are very sweet chickens and eat out of my hand and follow me around the yard. Now that I allow mine to free range, those two tend to stick around my chickens.

The problem is, my rooster mates with his hens. I saw it, and I told him out of respect that they mated and he should be diligent about collecting his eggs, so he doesn't end up with unwanted baby chicks. The mating occurred on my property and my chickens don't really leave the yard (my border collie keeps them in the yard most of the time). He was upset that this happened and said he doesn't want any of the risk of having unwanted chicks (if they hide the eggs or something) and would like me to keep a better eye on my rooster. I can't be outside with them all day and I really don't think it's my problem - his chickens are on my yard.

It's been a few days and his hens are mated every day. He's seen it and yelled at my rooster, but still hasn't done anything like confine his hens. I don't want to confine my rooster or hens either, but I want a good relationship with my neighbor.

Any clue on what to do?

 

[rides2far]

He should coop up his hens. As long as your chickens are on your property, he really shouldn't tell you to watch your own rooster in your own yard! Sorry you're having neighbor problems

.

 

[Folly's place]

"Good fencing makes good neighbors"! Chicks only happen if one of the hens gets broody and sets on the eggs for 21 days. If the hens are all laying in their nest boxes, that's not an issue. Personally, I want my birds on my property, and expect my neighbors to feel the same way. Don't let the situation get worse; talk it over and reach some solution soon. mary

 

[MeepBeep]

At the end of the day, if there is conflict it's both of your responsibilities to keep your respective animals on your own properties...

 

[keesmom]

"Good fencing makes good neighbors"!

X2.

It's a tough situation. If you confine your birds, your neighbor's birds are still in your yard. If he confines his, your birds (mostly your rooster) will find your way into his yard. Maybe it is time to confine both. They won't be happy but they will manage.

 

[sophiaw00]

I just started free ranging my birds so that they can get more vegetation and bugs for better eggs and less feed consumption. My birds stay in my yard, his are always in my yard which I don't mind at all. I thouroughly enjoy them and my birds have welcomed them as part of the flock as well. Both of his chickens are RIR and if I remember correctly that's not a broody breed right? If I'm correct, I will let him know that information again and hope that he doesn't keep complaining about my rooster. I would understand if my rooster was overmating them, ripping out their feathers or being mean to them but he's not.

He has a large coop and run because he originally had 6 hens but something got inside his coop and wiped all but 2 of them out. They would be fine cooped up (space wise), but I know he doesn't want to do that and I respect that. I just wish he did the same for me.

 

[Alexandra33]

"Good fencing makes good neighbors"! Chicks only happen if one of the hens gets broody and sets on the eggs for 21 days. If the hens are all laying in their nest boxes, that's not an issue. Personally, I want my birds on my property, and expect my neighbors to feel the same way. Don't let the situation get worse; talk it over and reach some solution soon. mary

Folly's Place has made a great point. If the RIRs hide a nest outside, I would think cooler temperatures at night would inhibit the growth of embryos without a hen sitting on it. Although RIRs do not have tendency to go broody, there are still exceptions. For example, Laserbeak (my Welsummer), isn't a broody breed, and yet she feels the need to sit on eggs.

-Alexandra33

 

[Chaos18]

If your neighbor doesn't want his hens mated with than tell him to keep his birds out of your yard.

 

[chickenpatch]

It should be pretty noticeable even for a rookie to spot a broody hen. She would have to sit on her eggs for 21 days... Plus you can break the brood
It's his responsibility to keep his own chickens on his own yard. But it's safe to eat fertilised eggs, it should be fine as long as your rooster doesn't start damaging the hens.

Maybe offer to take the chicks if she does go broody?

 

[sophiaw00]

It should be pretty noticeable even for a rookie to spot a broody hen. She would have to sit on her eggs for 21 days... Plus you can break the brood
It's his responsibility to keep his own chickens on his own yard. But it's safe to eat fertilised eggs, it should be fine as long as your rooster doesn't start damaging the hens.

Maybe offer to take the chicks if she does go broody?

That's a great idea! I wouldn't be able to keep them as my coop is full, but I could find them good homes. Hopefully this will resolve the issue.