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Doesn't matter if they are slovenly and don't take care of their chickens. It's THEIR chicken. Much as people might like ther critters, (and I love my critters!) they are still property and it's still illegal to steal property
As for no honest people anymore I don't believe that. (Although I remain astounded at the number of people here that streatching to come up with reasons that stealing a chicken is okay) There are lot of honest people. The OP is clearly one of them or she wouldn't have asked what to do. "Getting real" doesn't mean you do whatever you want, it means understanding you can't do whatever you want, on both the large and small levels.
Ditto billfields. There are some honest people in the world. Admittedly, it seems like there are getting to be fewer and fewer, but there are some. I would like to add a couple of more things here. I would rather do right by my neighbors than a chicken. My neighbors can help me in return if I have a problem. Actually, I'm speaking from personal experience here. Our house burned to the ground several years ago. We lost everything (barely got out with our lives). Our neighbors were there helping us and supporting us every step of the way. No way would a chicken to that! I also don't believe that most of the people on this board "wouldn't think twice about shooting somebody's dog" who *inadvertently* got into their yard. I would, and believe most others would, give the dog a chance if it strayed into the yard. Now, if the dog were attacking people, chickens, or other animals, that's another story. The dog WOULD be gone. Even at that, there are many who would give the dog's owners a warning first.
To the OP, do the right thing. You'll sleep better.
