Keeping the neighbor's chickens out of my yard

[DBenjamin]

I have chickens that are free range & they do go into the neighbors yard. I have talked to them to see it they have a issue with that. They don’t (they are an older couple) & actually feed the chickens & guineas because they enjoy watching them. You want to have good relations with your neighbors but they don’t seem to care and You shouldn’t have the expense of keeping their chicks out of your yard. I would tell them again to keep their chicks at home or your going to report them.

 

[pnwoldie]

I don’t know how long of a fence or what your terrain is like, but a solar electric fence would keep out the chickens as well as other nasties like raccoons, skunks, and possum. It would definitely be less than 10k and fun to play with. The Premier1 website is like a free course in electric fencing.

 

[Judy Todd]

P.S. I have used wood posts and 5' high woven horse wire on my pasture. The chickens never try to breach this barrier. Sometimes folks share the costs of a fence shared between two properties. I've never done that I've usually just bought the material and made the fence.

I agree with margaretbyrd, I have put up fencing with T posts, and fencing with 3 inch opening all around my orchard so my flock can free range. I am 80 years old, did it myself and it cost about $2 to 300 for 250 feet of fence. Fences make good neighbors!!!

 

[AngelaY]

Ok, I didn't read the whole thread so I don't know if anyone's suggested this yet, it probably work but it might. Buy some eggs and place them around your yard when he's not home. Wait until you're sure he's looking and go pick them up and put them in the carton. He might stop letting them in your yard if he thinks that you're getting his eggs. It probably won't work but I can imagine that it would mess with him a little bit. Otherwise you could just get some chicken wire and wooden stakes, pound the stakes in around your property line, staple the chicken wire to it, and boom, low cost fence.

 

[smiles2u]

I am looking for some advice. My neighbor has chickens that year after year continue to come into my yard. Year after year (several times per year) I am over there telling them about the chickens and that I NEVER ever want them to come into my yard...and year after year they continue to do so. One year, my dog got extremely sick and after a $1000 vet bill, we finally figured out he must have been eating/licking his paws that had chicken poop on it. I went over there again, to explain this to them...but, guess what....they continued to come over! Our city does have a chicken ordinance that clearly states you can only have 4 chickens and that they have to be in a chicken coop and or fenced in area at all times, but either they don't know about it or they just don't care. I want to be neighborly and not cause any problems. I have even considered getting a fence, but at a cost of around $10,000 to fence in my back yard, that will not happen. Any helpful suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. The last thing I want to do is call the cops, but I am not sure what to do. I thought about calling the Humane Society to see if they would do something.

good fences make good neighbors is a popular saying. Maybe ask them to share the cost of a shared fence. Sure you can come up with a type of fencing less than 10k.Traditional wood fence or chain link can be bought and put in yourselves with a post hole digger from Home Depot if cost is an issue. Or hire just the labor and you but the supplies.
Our vet said that dogs eating chicken poo (droppings) is not an issue as the chicken parasites are different and just pass right through the dog. Will show in dog poop but not stay in their intestines.
We all have neighbor issues. Hope you can work yours out to where both sides give a bit and keep the peace.

 

[FluffyMoana]

I am looking for some advice. My neighbor has chickens that year after year continue to come into my yard. Year after year (several times per year) I am over there telling them about the chickens and that I NEVER ever want them to come into my yard...and year after year they continue to do so. One year, my dog got extremely sick and after a $1000 vet bill, we finally figured out he must have been eating/licking his paws that had chicken poop on it. I went over there again, to explain this to them...but, guess what....they continued to come over! Our city does have a chicken ordinance that clearly states you can only have 4 chickens and that they have to be in a chicken coop and or fenced in area at all times, but either they don't know about it or they just don't care. I want to be neighborly and not cause any problems. I have even considered getting a fence, but at a cost of around $10,000 to fence in my back yard, that will not happen. Any helpful suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. The last thing I want to do is call the cops, but I am not sure what to do. I thought about calling the Humane Society to see if they would do something.

Hello,
It sounds like your neighbors are not being very respectful of your boundaries. You are certainly within your rights to request they keep their chickens on their own property. However, I doubt that your dog became ill from licking his paws but I suppose it’s possible. Did the vet confirm the reason for your dog’s illness? Other than that is there a reason that you prefer the chickens stay out of your yard? Perhaps a change in perspective on your part would be the best way to handle it. You may need to ask yourself if this problem is worth creating an enemy of your neighbor bc the solution may end up being more of a problem then the current issues. An unsightly fence may be worse than some cute hens fertilizing your yard. Many people find chicken watching to be quite amusing and relaxing. Perhaps grab a cup of tea and enjoy! Otherwise tell them politely that it’s a big problem for you and ask them how they plan to remedy it. Good luck!

 

[Steve2saint]

I am looking for some advice. My neighbor has chickens that year after year continue to come into my yard. Year after year (several times per year) I am over there telling them about the chickens and that I NEVER ever want them to come into my yard...and year after year they continue to do so. One year, my dog got extremely sick and after a $1000 vet bill, we finally figured out he must have been eating/licking his paws that had chicken poop on it. I went over there again, to explain this to them...but, guess what....they continued to come over! Our city does have a chicken ordinance that clearly states you can only have 4 chickens and that they have to be in a chicken coop and or fenced in area at all times, but either they don't know about it or they just don't care. I want to be neighborly and not cause any problems. I have even considered getting a fence, but at a cost of around $10,000 to fence in my back yard, that will not happen. Any helpful suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. The last thing I want to do is call the cops, but I am not sure what to do. I thought about calling the Humane Society to see if they would do something.

If my chickens got in the neighbors yard and they told me about it and they didn't want them there, I would do my best to keep them out of the neighbors yard. If they still go over them, I would have no problem with him shooting the ones that got in his yard. Eventually it would stop. I really though would probably put a fence up to keep them in my yard. otherwise tell him that if they get over there again you will shoot them. being a good neighbor goes both ways. It is HIS job to keep his chickens in his yard.
Don't get me wrong though. I am a chicken lover too. I have several, and we don't let our chickens out of their run unless we are there to watch them. If I didn't have chickens though, and I had a conversation with my neighrbor about his chikens, I'd tell him what I was going to do. I bet after I shot a couple, he'd be getting a fence up right quick.

 

[Old mother hen]

Just a thought if you should rehome their birds they might get more! A few metal fence posts and chicken wire should keep them out. Plant some bushes if you don't like the looks of it.

 

[Douglas Colman]

I am looking for some advice. My neighbor has chickens that year after year continue to come into my yard. Year after year (several times per year) I am over there telling them about the chickens and that I NEVER ever want them to come into my yard...and year after year they continue to do so. One year, my dog got extremely sick and after a $1000 vet bill, we finally figured out he must have been eating/licking his paws that had chicken poop on it. I went over there again, to explain this to them...but, guess what....they continued to come over! Our city does have a chicken ordinance that clearly states you can only have 4 chickens and that they have to be in a chicken coop and or fenced in area at all times, but either they don't know about it or they just don't care. I want to be neighborly and not cause any problems. I have even considered getting a fence, but at a cost of around $10,000 to fence in my back yard, that will not happen. Any helpful suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. The last thing I want to do is call the cops, but I am not sure what to do. I thought about calling the Humane Society to see if they would do something.

I've read some of the advice given to you about your problem ranging from catching the invaders and eating them to giving them to one of your friends or calling the authorities to deal with the problem.
You seem to like dogs but the one you have is too fragile to do what I'm suggesting.
Go to the dog shelter/pound and get a companion for your old dog.
Make sure it's young, active and likes to chase chickens.

 

[Folly's place]

True, but the OP will then need to install that fencing, and getting a dog is the most expensive possible solution here, and not instant either.
Maybe a good thing for the elderly current dog, or maybe not.
Mary