How to keep people away from our chickens?!

[appps]

So just so I'm not confused here you have your chickens free ranging in an unfenced front yard at times? A yard that has access directly onto what sounds like a quite busy road to have that many passers by?

I would assume nobody would want their chicken in that sort if situation either so don't think you can blame people for thinking they must be in danger.

I think your signs are probably all you can do but I think its actually nice that in this day and age people still care enough to try and help protect your flock. I mean all it would take is one person walking their dog off a leash and it could end very messily.

Good luck!! Hopefully you manage to out smart your Houdini chickens soon!!

 

[junecleavage]

The welcome mats with rooster on them must have become too popular and worked their way into people's subconscious. Apparently, seeing a chicken in someone's yard makes people feel welcomed. We've had all kinds of people stop by our house to ask for eggs, just because our chickens are running around in the front yard. I think I'd rather they just took some time to play with the chickens rather than knocking on my door so I have to talk to them

.

 

[MyFrancesca]

The chickens are "supposed" to stay in the fenced in portion out back. However, they were raised in the garage until the weather permitted us to put them in the coop. So they're familiar with the garage area. I have 3 ISA Browns which seem to be the sneaky ones. They continue to find new ways to get out and come to the front porch/garage area...which is about 40 feet from the road. It's a side road so decently busy. I have never once seen them wander toward or near the road. They mainly go to the flower bed by the house.
However, about 3 days ago one of our chickens (one that has never gotten out) came up injured and limping. We have been watching her carefully and she seems to be improving. Tonight while we were outside tending to the chicks, my husband found several large pieces of tar from the road that runs through the building next door to us. Someone has been throwing large 1-3lb rocks at our chickens in the backyard where they're supposed to be. I am so disgusted I don't even know what to think. We are gone for 10 hours of every day. I can only imagine what these chickens have seen. We are now going to build a run for them while we remain in city limits. We are rather sad to do so but it's for protection from the horrible people in the world.

 

[junecleavage]

How horrible that people would throw rocks at them! I will hope that it was just some kids with poor impulse control who wanted to see them running around (not aiming to hurt). Sounds like they might be safer just running around in the front yard.

My suggestion is to get one aggressive rooster and make sure he is always out front with the hens. It won't take to long till people run to the other side of the street rather than all around your yard.

 

[MyFrancesca]

No roos in city limits. But I guess overall we will be avoiding any and all danger by making a run. Then there won't be any worries...

 

[jonalisa]

I was going to suggest something that worked for me in keeping deer out of my yard - string fishing line about waist high across entryways (for deer I use multiple heights). But realistically, if you aren't home 10 hours a day, you are leaving your chickens vulnerable to all kinds of unfortunate situations with both well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning people.
I would agree with putting up the run. That said, I can't even imagine people being so rude and so clueless as to come on my property like that... I feel your frustration!

 

[newbie32]

I am one of those people that tell it like I see it and I hope no one jumps down my throat for this but.....
if your chickens are in your yard then people need to stay out of your yard and you need to inform the authorities when people trespass!

That being said-if your chickens keep getting out of your fence then that is your fault. If I was being a good neighbor and placed a chicken back into a yard to HELP my neighbor, then I would be upset if my neighbor got snooty and uppity with me for touching her chickens! If you don't want people trying to catch and return your chickens then keep them in the yard. Build them a run and problem solved.

 

[newbie32]

The welcome mats with rooster on them must have become too popular and worked their way into people's subconscious. Apparently, seeing a chicken in someone's yard makes people feel welcomed. We've had all kinds of people stop by our house to ask for eggs, just because our chickens are running around in the front yard. I think I'd rather they just took some time to play with the chickens rather than knocking on my door so I have to talk to them

.

Wow how many people have asked for eggs? That is so rude! What do you tell them?

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

A secure run probably is the best choice. But, FWIW, 4 ft tall chainlink is not effective at keeping in chickens who can fly. My Silkies can't make it over a 4 ft fence, but my regular feathered chickens never had any problems popping over their 6 ft fence. And, once they figure out there's freedom on the other side, they'll not be happy to stay contained.

And how rude of people to just come onto your property! I don't care if you're in a densely populated area or not, those people have no right to be there, for whatever reason. I'm sure no one would appreciate you or I walking into their home. Where's the common courtesy? Good luck to you.

 

[coffeychicks]

Maybe I am cruel but a way to do an electric fence that would not hurt the chickens but give the intruders a jolt