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SadNeighbor

In the Brooder
Joined
Oct 18, 2017
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(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I don't actually own any. My neighbors have a couple running loose in the neighborhood and the female is losing feathers so I decided to join to try to ask questions to figure out what to do.


Edit: I forgot to mention that the neighbors say that the chickens just showed up one day. Though yesterday in conversation the wife mentioned something about bringing them from a farm. The husband this morning though said that they just showed up though so I don't know which it is.



(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
My neighbors have two chickens, a rooster and a hen.

(3) What breeds do you have?
I don't know what they are.

(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
I was trying to find out why the hen is losing feathers. I don't think they're going to try to look into it themselves and are blaming a community cat.

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I like gardening and I've been trying to work on getting the neighborhood feral cats neutered and spayed.


(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I'm married, no children. I have five indoor cats and a dog. Our oldest cat Tux was a stray found at my parents' house many years ago. Our four other indoor cats were ferals that we tamed and brought in. One is still a semi-feral that I'm working on socializing still. I'm currently working on taming another feral neighborhood cat. Our dog Lucy belonged to my father before he passed.

I feel odd joining this site as I don't have any chickens myself but I worry about the chickens that are running loose and I worry for a feral kitty that's being blamed for the hen losing feathers when I think she might be molting. I've been trying to figure out what to do while maintaining a good relationship with neighbors who enjoy the chickens.

I also need to seek advice on what to do to keep the chickens away from my home or at least less of a nuisance. I've been having the rooster wake me up by crowing on our front porch in the morning, we've been having droppings on our walkways and front porch, and they like to kick out mulch from the garden beds. They've also been stealing cat food meant for the feral cats.

I'm not sure if it's possible but if I can figure out a way to make everyone happy that would be great.
 
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Would it be possible for the cat to be doing damage to her? He's always seemed kinda scared of them before but I saw him watching them a bit this morning. It just seemed that if he did attack her that it'd be more than feathers missing? I know I have a kitty bias so I'm trying to stay objective.

I did read that molting happens in fall? Would there be any way to tell for sure if it's molting?

I don't think the neighbors would agree to put up a fence. We certainly can't afford to put up a fence for ourselves at the time. One thing I've been thinking about is trying to make our back porch into a catio so we can bring the feral on there if need be, but this comes back to money so I'm not sure how long it'll take for us to be able to do that.
 
:frowWelcome! Whether you have chickens or not, you've come to the right place.
May I say high five :highfive: to you?
You are an awesome animal lover and considerate neighbor!
Come live next door to me!
I have a high fence and keep my birds home.

I'm not an expert on these things but encourage you to have faith in the people here who will help guide you.

YES, it's possible these birds just showed up.
Unfortunately, people (i.e.jerks) dump unwanted chickens all the time.

Yes! It IS molting season and from what I understand a bird can loose a few feathers or look like they spent the night in a rock tumbler.
...and it can take from 1 to many months for the feathers to grow back.
...and that they need lots of protein to regenerate those feathers which it turns out....
YOU ARE PROVIDING, in the form of cat food!
Canned cat food which is essential for Feral cats to keep their immune system strong is also used as a tempting treat for sick or injured birds.

Hang in there til the experts get here. :oldThey'll know what to do!

Watch out, if you hang out here long enough you might wind up falling in love with chickens too. :hugs
It happened to us!

:lau-sometimes I crack me up
 
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're thrilled you've decided to join us:ya There are a number of inexpensive fencing options out there—but they may not be allowed where you live. Can you get a really good, close and clear picture of the feather damage and post it here?
 
Welcome to BYC :frow It's really nice of you to sign up out of concern for your neighbour's chickens! I see you and someone else mentioned above that the hen may be molting and this is the time of year for it, so that is the likely cause. As for them visiting and messing on your property… Have you mentioned this to your neighbours and asked if it's possible for them to confine the birds somehow? (Which they really should be doing. Chickens are lovely, but having them free ranging all over the neighbourhood is inconsiderate)
 
@staceyj You are a hoot!!

I too say :welcome.

I am thinking a bit outside the box.... Or rather about ways to get them INSIDE a box.

You mention finances being tight so here is my idea....

Pallets are often available free, craigslist may have a dog house available free or nearly free. Perhaps offering to help the neighbor build a pallet coop and run can help confine the birds AND form a friendship.
I am thinking the pallets could even BE the fencing. Maybe painted really cute or colorful?

Maybe let the neighbor know you would be sad to see the birds hit by a car or eaten by a predator like a hawk or raccoon.

Edited because auto incorrect! :barnie
 
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