Neighbor asked to conjoin coop...

[ncCHICKS]

Our neighbor got some chicks last week and wants to put them in my coop. They got majorly POed when I said no. They totally didn't understand! Wouldn't it be unsafe for my birds to have another flock put in. He feds them some home made stuff and e wants to take to shows and when I asked him if hed quarentine he asked what was it! I just want to make sure I'm not being stuck up. I don't want his birds in my yard, as I keep mine in their run. I know it might seem odd, but my pets are in my yard, his pets should be in his. Am I viewing it wrong or might I have a point?

 

[Imp]

Of course you are right! What are they thinking.

 

[countryboy]

your in the right and not stuck up. sounds like he would also hold you responsible if anything happened to his birds. best to handle it the way you did.

 

[the1moe]

Nope... You are in your own right.... You don't know what kind of diseases (if any) his chickens may be carrying. There can be chicken fights and deaths which will bring up the question as to who is responsible for the deaths injuries, etc. etc. As for other pets, i.e. dogs, cats, etc. that is up to you... but I would never combine chickens...///just my input..///Moe

 

[ncCHICKS]

My mom agrees with the guy, but the thing is they have 4 birds. I have 4 too. My coop is only big enough for 6, tight squeeze of 7. That'd be unfair to my birds. Plus I am wanting to get a cochin hen and a buff orpington. That will fill my coop fast.

 

[wadek2008]

You have a point. Its a health risk and if you were NPIP certified, it wouldn't be allowed. You also dont want to have the responsibility if a predator gets in your coop or run. It sounds like to me he didnt look into the commitments before he bought. I'd very nicely tell him why not but be firm.

 

[mountaintopchicken]

He wants to what? Put his chicks in your coop??? That makes no sense at all. Yes it would endanger your birds to have another flock put in, to say nothing of the effect it would have on the flock dynamics (they would probably fight).

And whose going to clean up after his chickens that are in your coop? I'm guessing he thinks you will.

No you're not being stuck up. Yes you have a point. Your neighbor sounds like a first-class mooch. He's trying to get something for nothing.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
I believe you have a very valid point, but it'll be tricky trying to explain it if ya want to stay friends.

I don't know what size yard your neighbor has, but I'd simply explain to him the cons of bringing in strange bird diseases and that it could affect both his flock and yours.

Maybe you could direct him to BYC to read some of the horror stories of folks dealing with infected flocks.

You could (if you feel like it, or have the time) offer to help him build a coop and run on HIS property for him. (help, not do it for him

) That might make him feel better about it. I would just explain (if he'll listen) that it isn't that you are shunning them - you are worried about the health of both flocks, and the stress of taking birds in and out all the time for shows, or for free ranging when yours do not free range, etc... If you can make him see how much of a hassle it will actually be, he may just decide on his own to build his own cop. Make it sound like a Good Idea to him (even make it sound like it's HIS idea

that usually works).

good luck - seems like a lot of folks today believe what's Yours is also Theirs.

meri

 

[Toast n Jelly]

All the above... plus: The owners will become a part of your household or backyard in no time at all

The chickens will end up eating your feed and you of course, would be cleaning up after them....wow...what does he take you for

.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Just tell the man that you have a "closed" flock. Meaning, no chickens in, no chickens out. This is for thier safety and management. If he does not understand this, give him some plans for a chicken coop that he could build himself. Heck, for 4 birds and nice sized dog house would do the trick. Geez, some people just think you owe them something.