Neighbors chickens taking over my property!

[CluckinBumpkin]

So we bought our house on a few acres this past September. On one side of the property there is another house but the trees are so grown up you can't see anything through the fence. Well, the past few months the neighbors chickens have started coming to our yard everyday. This was not really a big deal. They consist of around 4 roosters and 6 hens. Well yesterday they all decided to gang up on my hens and then proceed to go in our coop and eat our food. (I have one pullet I had to seperate due to looking injured). My 10yr old daughter went out there and started telling them to go home and walked behind them all the way to the fence. Well, the neighbor yelled at my daughter through the fence "don't chase my chickens!!!!" I told my daughter not to worry about it. The chickens are back to taking over our yard/flock again today. I'm about to go lock up my chickens to avoid problems but I feel I shouldn't have to do this on our own land. Anyone have problems like this?

 

[sourland]

Bet if they started to 'disappear' the neighbors would control their activities better. "Just sayin'."

 

[salt and pepper]

Bet if they started to 'disappear' the neighbors would control their activities better. "Just sayin'."

x2

 

[Alaskan]

I would first try talking nicely to the neighbor, and explain that her chickens are eating your feed and beating up your chickens, and can she think of some way to fix it?

Maybe the two of you can alternate what days or what times the chickens are let out.

Of course, this is only fair if your chickens are roaming all over her garden.

 

[CluckinBumpkin]

They are absolutely gorgeous chickens...I couldn't take away anyones "babies" but I also want to protect mine. I'm thinking I may mention the fact that we have a bird dog(German Shorthaired Pointer) in the kennel area on our property, who gets loose from time to time. She's actually a horrible bird dog and wouldn hurt a fly but the neighbor doesnt know this.

Our chickens have never even explored the boundaries of our 2 acres, which I think is odd. They stay VERY close to their coop. So, no they havnt gone to the neighbors.

I'm thinking i'll try the "bird dog" fib....

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Bet if they started to 'disappear' the neighbors would control their activities better. "Just sayin'."

X3

If you aren't into disappearing chickens, I'd catch them and call animal control.

I would have suggested talking to the neighbor, but once they'd yelled at my daughter--who was on MY PROPERTY, for cripes sake-- for trying to get them back home, the gloves come off.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Get the hose out! Although, getting wet might make the neighbor mad. Oh, that's right, I was supposed to recommend a light squirt to the chickens.

Seriously, a light squirt on a sprinkle setting works on mine. Sometimes, I have to defend the peas coming up in the garden. My husband says to tell you that I lightly squirt my chickens, not my neighbors. My neighbors stay out of my peas.

You could try chasing the chickens out of the yard, while swinging something around and yelling at them. I would do it myself and keep your daughter out of it.

If your dog is safe around chickens and won't kill them, maybe let your dog run around the yard a little bit.

It's always good to talk to people first, even though in my experience, it rarely works. Your neighbor should have been apologizing for their chickens being in your yard causing trouble, not scolding your daughter. That sounds like the jerk kind of neighbor, to me. Try to remember that it's your property. If your neighbor wants to pasture their chickens on it, they can pay the mortgage.

 

[CluckinBumpkin]

First of all that was hilarious! I'll try the hose! Unfortunately my daughter is a take charge kind of gal. She did that all on her own. Ive told her to stay out of it since the neighbor fussed at her. I would have probably gone to talk to her first, but she's already fussed at my daughter for just directing the chickens back to HER property. Chickens will be chickens and lousey neighbors will be lousey neighbors, but somethings got to give in this situation. I will be trying the hose tomorrow. THANKS

 

[centrarchid]

Being a person that in past had roaming chickens, I can say it will be difficult to repel birds from your end. Additionally, using your dog as an idol threat to neighbors birds could also backfire with dog deciding to back you up and going after birds with chase possibly going on to neighbors property where you quickly get into the wrong or your dog goes after your birds. My free-ranging dogs (same breed as yours) are live stock guardians but it is easy for me to get dogs into chasing birds. I have good control and can stop such verbally very quickly but if I were sloppy I would be carrying chicken dismembered chicken carcasses to compost bin fast.

Neighbor will have to work on shifting flocks ranging habits which can be done. You can look into local rules regarding free-ranging livestock or pets on your property. Look into laws before responding further. Damage neighbors flock will not be so great as to give you a little time to ponder situation.

 

[CluckinBumpkin]

Oh no, i'd never pourposely let the dog out on them. I was going to fib and tell the neighbors my hunting dog REALLY likes the taste of bird. I wasn't even going to physically involve the dog

When she does get out she's more interested in fetching a stick. Im just hoping the fib itself would possibly get the neighbor more determined to find ways of encouraging the chickens to stay close to home. I lucked out with mine, they stay super close to the coop. I do know she makes a little dinging sound (possibly a triangle)and the chickens go running so she has some type of knowledge on training them. I really wish they just hadn't gone after my flock and took over my coop...I didnt mind them on the property.