How do I protect my chickens from human predators?

[bluey]

Nice..., Red!

 

[ssteiner]

Let me echo the advice you've already gotten, call the police.

But let me also add this: in my day job, I'm a prosecutor here in southern California. These kids (or at least the one who admitted it to you) have committed a crime. Theft occurs (at least in California) when someone moves the property of another with intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the owner of possession. It doesn't matter that you got the chicken back. When these miscreants had possession of your bird, they were in violation of the law.

Second, there is evidence that these delinquents were engaged in a conspiracy to commit a crime (animal cruelty). A conspiracy occurs when two or more people agree to commit a crime and commit an act in furtherance thereof.

Call the police, file a report, make it clear that you will support prosecution. These wacko out of touch parents won't get the message if you do anything less.

Good luck,

-Scott

 

[cimarron]

that's your yard, they got no business being back there. i am not a "cop caller" but if i had somebody in my yard messing with my chickens, i would call the cops. AND fire the ol' shotgun. there's all kinds of people in the world, you can't change that...you just want these particular ones to get the hell out of your yard. good luck!

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
Excellent advise

 

[wings]

I think motion-sensing lights are the best bet. REPORT HIM!!!

 

[Tweeza]

I would have to say please please call Child Protective Services. It's obvious that the children are not being supervised and are being left in the care of someone who is definetly harming them mentally and possibly physically. They are learning from this man and they will be living in your neighborhood long after he has gone. They've learned enough please call CPS and also file that police report.

 

[Tweeza]

Edited to delete. Computer error... really.

 

[bart40330]

You know, everyone is different, and I know not everyone feels comfortable handling things like I would. But if the same thing happened to me, I would have beaten the adult rather severely.

Perhaps I am backward in my thinking, but I find that the very real threat of violence is a very good deterrent. And although you cannot legally use deadly force to protect property, I believe that you can use non lethal force to protect property. Perhaps the prosecutor can correct me on that.

Nonetheless, several crimes were committed. Trespassing, theft by unlawful taking, animal cruelty, unlawful transaction with a minor(s)... your state may call it something different. Did he have to enter a coop? Your state might even call that burglary. I'd consider a chicken coop a building. What about you Mr. Prosecutor?

Bottom line is don't let that fly. He's liable to think that you're chicken, then you'll be at the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[cw]

I hear ya Bart the only way to handle people like that is with bullets and ropes

 

[Orpingtonman]

I hate to hear that this is going on but i have to echo some advise from above............

File a police report and make it very, very, clear that you will fully support prosecution. To keep the survelance on the low cost end, get an infa red game camera. It takes great pics and they won't know it's there since they cant see it. They are making some now that are up too 6 mega pixels. Make sure you lock it and tightly secure it to whatever you mount it too. They make alot of good ones for under a $100. Good luck and keep us posted on what you do and what happens.