Neighbor's Chickens Trying to Join My Flock

[SulkyBantam]

I'm sorry that you are in this situation. I feel bad for you trying to work out what is best, and for the poor hungry chickens.

Like other posters, I suggest getting videos, being polite but firm, and maybe showing them the skinny chickens. If they then ignore you, tell them you just can't feed their chickens. If they still do nothing, call animal control.
That's just my 2 cents, best of luck.

 

[Halfpasthen]

What if these birds have a disease and give it to the OP's chickens. Lice, mites etc also.

They're already trying to break into her coop and have already been exposed to all of her birds. But thats why I said I'd feed them on the property line to keep them from making themselves at home in her coop, and run.

 

[Halfpasthen]

Yeh

She's already feeding and caring for these birds when the owners are out of town and the birds are already getting into her coop and run. What's done is done. Doesn't sounds like biosecurity is really a thing in this situation as she already feeds and tends these birds whether the owner is there or not. Just makes sense to me to put the food where it keeps them closer to the owners property.

It's up to OP what's easier. Is calling animal control on the neighbors easier than just providing them a little extra corn or scratch to keep them out of her coop and run?

OP seems to love these birds and animal control will only either piss off the neighbors with warnings or they'll take the birds and she won't see them again. OP also has a good relationship with these neighbors.
My gut feeling is talking to them won't change their minds.
I would just feed the hungry animals away from my flock and be done with it.

 

[SulkyBantam]

She's already feeding and caring for these birds when the owners are out of town and the birds are already getting into her coop and run. What's done is done. Doesn't sounds like biosecurity is really a thing in this situation as she already feeds and tends these birds whether the owner is there or not. Just makes sense to me to put the food where it keeps them closer to the owners property.

It's up to OP what's easier. Is calling animal control on the neighbors easier than just providing them a little extra corn or scratch to keep them out of her coop and run?

OP seems to love these birds and animal control will only either piss off the neighbors with warnings or they'll take the birds and she won't see them again. OP also has a good relationship with these neighbors.
My gut feeling is talking to them won't change their minds.
I would just feed the hungry animals away from my flock and be done with it.

Yes, but OP has said that the feed is too expensive for her.

Feeding basically a whole new flock doesn't seem fair- they're not hers, she won't get any eggs from them.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be fed, because I'm very sad that the neighbours don't seem to care about them, but I can see that OP can't be expected to take on a whole new flock for who knows how long.

Talking to them is surely worth trying.

 

[Halfpasthen]

Yes, but OP has said that the feed is too expensive for her.

Feeding basically a whole new flock doesn't seem fair- they're not hers, she won't get any eggs from them.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be fed, because I'm very sad that the neighbours don't seem to care about them, but I can see that OP can't be expected to take on a whole new flock for who knows how long.

Talking to them is surely worth trying.

I agree. If she truly can't afford to a sack of corn or scratch (I'm not suggesting she has to provide a full balanced diet and ALL of their food) then she really doesn't have any options but to confront them. I'm not suggesting she take on the whole flock. Just provide enough of a distraction that those birds don't swarm her flock or keel over dead from starvation.

 

[3KillerBs]

I would just feed the hungry animals away from my flock and be done with it.

This is easy to say, but are you willing to cut the OP a check to pay for it?

I personally don't see how enabling the neighbor's bad behavior does anything but make it more likely that the bad behavior will continue.

 

[Halfpasthen]

My feeling is once the weather warms up and bugs come out and grass is growing this won't be quite the same issue it is right now at the tail end of winter.

 

[Halfpasthen]

This is easy to say, but are you willing to cut the OP a check to pay for it?

I personally don't see how enabling the neighbor's bad behavior does anything but make it more likely that the bad behavior will continue.

Read my follow up posts. I am NOT recommending she provides 100% of these birds balanced diet. I'm talking about a sack of corn or something. You can get a 50lb bag here under $5

 

[Halfpasthen]

Read my follow up posts. I am NOT recommending she provides 100% of these birds balanced diet. I'm talking about a sack of corn or something. You can get. $50lb bag here under $5

But I do donate to hungry animals and have long been heavily involved in rescue so maybe that's why my gut reaction is to just feed the darn things. I keep a bags of food in my car for any hungry wretches I might find lol.

 

[Acre4Me]

I realize that it's difficult to process the idea that people you like, with whom you have a friendly relationship, are cruelly neglecting their animals but that's the fact here.

By feeding their birds for them you are enabling their behavior.

The bottom line is that they HAVE NO RIGHT to,

A. Allow their birds to leave their property in search of food,

B. Expect you to feed their birds for them.

By expecting you to take care of their birds for them and ignoring the fact that you've told them their birds are on your property and eating your feed they have proven that they're not good neighbors and not friends. Rather, they are taking advantage of you.

I definitely agree with much of this. This situation isn’t ideal. The neighbors aren’t being mindful of their flocks needs....in our perspective. However, They actually think they are doing fine. They do provide feed, they provide shelter, they let the chickens free range...in their mind they are doing what they need. Maybe they are the kind of people that are taking advantage, but most likely, since they are hardly around, they are simply oblivious and/or stubborn about their beliefs when mildly confronted by the neighbor (OP).

Having had bad neighbors myself, I do not recommend creating ill will bc if the neighbors are the type to be really obnoxious, then it can really impact daily life, more than just some hungry chickens. But, it’s not fair to OP to have to try to deal with clearly hungry chickens either.

I wish OP good luck! Hopefully this will be resolved without any additional issues.