Neighbors Chickens...grrrr

[Ema]

not sure if its been suggested or not but if you cannot afford to fence right away go get orange or green snow fencing, stake it across with either wooden stakes or metal stakes and then replace it when you have the chance. the green is less noticeable. lol...

I can get a 50'ft roll for under 45 bucks here but I don't know how much it would be where you are at. Its a quick fix and the fencing can be used for other things when you are done with it. good luck

 

[Ema]

Quote:
hahahaha we posted the same thing....

 

[justbugged]

Field fence would be the least expensive way to fence that long of run. Fencing may or may not stop the neighbors chickens from coming on to your property anyway. The chickens could still just fly over if they wanted to.

With the 2 flocks living as close together as they are, I would think that both flocks are just as likely to get the same things, as a flock would just on it's own. With the neighbors chickens already on your property, you already have a single flock in essence. DH came up with the analogy of if the neighbors dog has fleas, and comes over and hangs out in your yard, then your dog is most likely going to have fleas also.

I do know that there are shelters here in the Washington area that are able to accept chickens. I would be concerned that you could end up in a much more difficult situation with neighbor if they figure out you are relocating their chickens. You could always claim that you have seen coyotes in the neighborhood.

 

[grandmaof5]

Salvadora.Seabright :

Quote:
Poultry usually ended up being "adopted" by staff for the stew pot. That said, they were easier than the stray horse we had for a while!

hmm...that would be a lot of horse stew.

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Barbecue
Soup
Fried
with noodles

just a few suggestions off the top of my head....

 

[teach1rusl]

I'm a little surprised that so many people have put it on you to keep the neighbor's chickens off your property

However, if you're not willing to say something to them, your options are limited. Keep in mind that however you choose to handle the situation, if you DO end up free ranging your birds and you don't have a fence to limit their roaming, your neighbors will probably reciprocate.
Personally, I'd take a friend over and speak with them, explaining that you really like chickens, have some of your own, but that you're concerned about the spread of disease, pests, etc. Who knows, they may react in a positive way (finishing their fence).
If it continued to happen, then I'd probably begin collecting birds (in a separate pen)...
If you are going to find a way to put up a barrier, then deer netting is probably your cheapest option...around $15 for 100 ft from Lowes/Home Depot...

 

[Tdub4chiks]

Have yourself a big chicken bbq and invite the neighbors over.

 

[Judy]

Good news is, if they had a disease, yours would probably have gotten it already. Might have even passed to yours if there WERE a fence, as some are airborne.

 

[zazouse]

We have a flock of about 400 birds that are totaly free range and we keep them out of our gardens with a hot wire.

It's cheap and it can be moved easly if needed.

 

[abhaya]

If they are like my free rangers a fence will not deter them. i find my girls 20 ft up trees at times . Mine do not pester enyone I live on 12 achers at the end of a dead end road 1 miles from town.