Help... Free ranging and neighbors?

[Sally PB]

I want to keep the chickens out of their garden so they don't eat everything.

I'm glad you're thinking of this! Stepping in poop is one thing, but if the chickens take out a bunch of garden plants, that would be worse, to me. That could be months of time (starting the seeds, planting, weeding, tending) gone to waste and destruction of the crop too. Or if they destroyed some very expensive ornamental plants.

If you can put up a barrier of some kind where they cross in to the neighbor's yard, that would be a good thing. Maybe talk to the neighbor too, to let them know that you want to and are trying to find a way to keep the chickens on your property. They might appreciate you approaching them about this issue.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

As @Sally PB said, at least your neighbor will know your intentions.

 

[poultryprofessor]

Training any animal to stay in an area when there is something enticing on the other side is easier said that done.

If you can't put up a permanent fence, I'd consider something like the Shock Or Not fence from Premier1 (https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/shock-or-not-poultry-fence). You can move the boundaries as needed or completely remove the fence. Works with or without electricity.

If you want to try training with treats, you actually want to reward intermittently. Reward every couple of times they come, not every time. Training with dogs has shown that this helps reinforce behavior better than treating every time. You may be able to phase out the treats, but you will still need to be there with them.

 

[AntiqueB]

I had a bird who really wanted to check out the neighbor's yard. I found that a line of any fencing (I used this), and then another line of just twine about a foot in front, at around the same height, discouraged flying. I think the twine throws off their judgement about how high to go, and what to land on.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Well, thank you everyone.

I am always supervising them when they free range (due to unfortunately losing a few birds a while back to predators)

but even when I am watching them, they run right past me and into the neighbors yard.

It can be hard to stop a stampede of chickens.

I am thinking of doing something similar as what @AntiqueB said, and to fence off the main area that they slip through.

I will still be watching them but it should be harder for them to get past.

I had a bird who really wanted to check out the neighbor's yard. I found that a line of any fencing (I used this), and then another line of just twine about a foot in front, at around the same height, discouraged flying. I think the twine throws off their judgement about how high to go, and what to land on.