I Just Stole My Neighbors' Chicken: UPDATE! PICS

[Laurajean]

Even back when there were three left, the three of them would hang around my coop, cuddle up to the run wall, and clearly wanted to be in with my chickens. I would let them wander in sometimes while handing out treats, but always made sure they left when I closed the door. But this time, her being all alone.... it's just killing me. I just checked on her, and she's drinking water like crazy, which makes me think her home supply is probably frozen.

By the way, she's a full size chicken, either a RIR or something like that, and mine are all Bantams. But none of them seem to notice or care the difference. She's wandering amongst them like she's one of them. I was worried about my Silkie Roo, but he seems fine with her presence. I just want to do the right thing, and I know she would have a safe home here with proper food and company and warmth. But I'm so nervous about offending them by asking.

 

[annaraven]

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I agree. Even if he "doesn't care" for his chickens, he might be interested in making a buck. Don't offer money to him or he'll likely try to get more for it. Just go with the offer to shelter his chicken and give him some eggs occasionally.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Just tell him 'I dunno, somethin got 'er'

He doesnt need to know that the somethin is you...

 

[Cetawin]

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Exactly...fabulous idea. I would not give her back period so whatever it takes.

 

[dandelionheart]

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I agree. Even if he "doesn't care" for his chickens, he might be interested in making a buck. Don't offer money to him or he'll likely try to get more for it. Just go with the offer to shelter his chicken and give him some eggs occasionally.

 

[desertdarlene]

I would say, "hey, I was feeding my girls in my pen and your chicken kinda wandered in. I thought I would keep her in my coop for a while until you get home (or until I could talk to you) to keep her safe. She gets along so well with my other chickens, I was wondering if you would like to sell her for x."

While you're at it, if he's got other fowl and you can take those, too, you can ask him about those if he's willing to give/sell you the first chicken.

 

[Laurajean]

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I agree. Even if he "doesn't care" for his chickens, he might be interested in making a buck. Don't offer money to him or he'll likely try to get more for it. Just go with the offer to shelter his chicken and give him some eggs occasionally.

He definitely wouldn't report me no matter what. For one thing, I've been a good neighbor and pet and house sit for them when needed. Plus, people around here don't "report" things. It's very old school back woods type folk here, he would either resent me asking or not mind me asking, but he wouldn't take any sort of action even if I outright kept it without asking, which I wouldn't do. I feel the right thing to do is ask and just hope he says yes.

About quarantining. Of course I did not think of that.

She's already out there mingling with them and sharing water, so is it too late for that? I have no reason to think she is unhealthy in any way.

 

[Mahonri]

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Amen.

 

[kasey08]

yeah i agree. ask him if you can have her or offer some money. i'm pretty sure he would just give her to you since she is the last one. i wouldnt want him to find out that you just took her. tell him that she just fits right in

goodluck!

 

[pips&peeps]

I wouldn't say a word if it were me. The guy obviously wouldn't know your chickens from his if his life depended on it.

Techinically yep, it is theft, but the guy has thrown her away. So, since his "trash" has blown over into your yard and it looks like something you could use, pick it up and keep it.

I would recommend a quarantine period though and thorough worming.