I know my chickens are anoying my neighbor.....

[Attack Chicken]

My trio of white leghorns keep jumping the chainlink/wooden fence and going over to her yard to either scratch around in her mulch, dustbathe, or just walk around in her yard. I keep asking her if they are bothering her but she says oh there not bothering me. I told her I would keep those 3 penned up for a few days and she says it makes her sad to see them penned. The bantams I have only found in her yard once so they get to free range. I've offered her eggs to eat but she isn't much of an egg eater. Another thing is that right behind her there is a chainlink fence that has a pitbull mix that runs loose in the yard and has been trying to get in her yard as well.

What could I do to keep my trio in my yard? And not go over to the others? I do not want to clip their wings because the fair is a month off... Is my only option is to keep them penned up while I'm inside?

 

[ranchhand]

It is not only your option, it is your responsibility to keep them penned. With the dog back there, you could lose them all.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Make the fence taller, even if you just tack on some chicken wire. I had the same problem and that has worked for me. My fence was 3 feet tall, so I just tacked a roll of 4 foot chicken wire to it, and now the chickens stay home. Good luck.

 

[CitySoil]

Clip wings

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Can't do that and show the birds.

 

[Over Easy in Adna]

Quote:
Can't do that and show the birds.

Lock birds up or lose them to the dog.

That might be a few points off on the score as well.

 

[chickensioux]

I have a 4' chain link fence. I have added an electric wire along the top of my fence about a foot above my fence. This not only keeps them in but also predators out. If you can't do this perhaps just a wire about a foot above your fenceline and about 6" inside your fence. This tends to knock the chickens off balance when they try to land on your fence, they hit the other wire first.
After the fair, I would clip their wings if you think they will grow back in time for next years showing. Better than losing them.

 

[Attack Chicken]

Thanks for all the options. I know what could happen about the dog. These neighbors have just moved in and were out splashing around in there pool while their dog was at my neighbors door barking and growling at his little dog. He though it was going to break the glass in! He went back and told the people that their dog was in his yard growling at his little dog inside and just ignored him. Finally after yelling at them one of them slowly got out of the pool and came over and got his dog. Next time this happens he's calling the animal control.

I will talk to her about putting some chickenwire up on her fence. She loves the chickens and her grandson loves to call them ducks.


Thanks everyone

 

[CityChook]

When I was in college, I had a pup that was a fence climber. We were in a rental, so we couldn't do anything to alter the fenceline, but I had to do something... We picked up a small animal (think goat) electric fence kit and ran the wire along the top of our fence. It stopped the fence climbing immediately and was virtually impossible to see. Very inexpensive, I think it was battery powered (?? don't remember) and easy enough for a college co-ed to install. Just don't back into it while mowing the yard.....

 

[LynneP]

Birds can be happy, healthy and penned- and the feather quality remains better for showing...