Neighbor's Chickens Trying to Join My Flock

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

It's true, their survival instincts have them down here inhaling my feed like their lives depend on it. I think talking with them will help. We haven't yet had a good opportunity to confront them in person, so I've been a big softy and have been leaving out feed and fresh water for them.

I feel the same way and get irate and devastated about it (keeps me up at night) but I'm also certain it's unintentional even if irresponsible, and want to give them the benefit of the doubt. Stay tuned.

I would tell your neighbors, if you haven't already, that they're GREAT foragers. They forage YOUR girls' feed and water because they don't know how to properly forage on their own. Neglecting water, especially, allowing it to sit for so long that algae grow in it is pure neglect. If they don't do something about properly feeding and caring for their birds, you need to make a hard choice... call animal control, report the animal abuse, because that's what this is, and if you decide to do it, offer to take them, once animal control confiscates the birds.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Love

Personally, I would approach it in a completely backward way. I would tell and show them what the problem is... that the girls are fighting their way into your run and stealing your feed. Also let them know they are losing a few eggs.

Ask them if there is anything they can think of that might help. If they don't offer suggestions, ask them if they could perhaps up the rations to see if it makes a difference. Make sure to phrase it as a request. It's totally ok for you to mention your on a budget for feed and can't think of a way to make sure your hens have access and theirs don't.

This way you are positioning yourself as asking for their help instead of telling them what they should be doing. It seems a little petty, but it sounds like you are an emotionally sensitive person and it is your best chance for both getting what you need and letting them feel good about it.

Some people need that sort of thing to be receptive.

Love this idea! Kinda in line with the approach I've been painstakingly drafting in my head, but I like the request vs. suggestion spin. Like, hey, your girls are eating all our feed because they're hungry for feed, so could you leave out more feed? (Lol). Thank you!

 

[LateBirdFarms]

I'm not sure if it was mentioned or not, but you can always use a worming regiment as a conversation starter... "ive got a hen that's getting a bit skinny so I'm going to use some dewormer on my flock. I've noticed your flock is a bit underweight too, and they're attacking my feeders like they're starving..." and then hold your breath and suggest they might want to consider upping their rations until the warmer seasons at least? If you mention it as a temporary thing it might give you some more time to massage the tense topic while their flock benefits from the feed. Heck, maybe if they see them looking shiney and fat they'll get the point. I'd be worried about waiting too long to have the conversation though or they might just tell you you're crazy because their hens look great (after all the feed you've put in!)

 

[Polarxena]

“ You get what you put up with”...my Grandmother

 

[LateBirdFarms]

“ You get what you put up with”...my Grandmother

I think I need to lipstick that onto my bathroom mirror as a morning reminder!

 

[Lida7]

I'm having an issue with my neighbors flock storming my run and eating like they're starving whenever I let my girls out to supervise free range. It wasn't always like this: a few of the neighbor's hens who were always getting bullied would come down and snack/hang out (I also saved one from near-death from a turkey attack). But in the last few weeks, they suddenly started acting ravenous and would wipe out my flock's supplies in no time.

Well, last week we were tasked with watching their chickens while they were out of town. The first time we were to check on them was an evening; and we were horrified to see they had no feed left. But upon alerting the neighbors, they said they only give them two cups in the morning and that's it because they want them to free range for their food. The sad thing is, before we found out they were getting rationed, we filled their feeder up and they all ate it like they were starving. So, I think the reason some of the lower rung girls from their flock are desperately clamoring into mine for feed and clean water is because they probably aren't even getting any. And when I say desperate: they will dart in under my feet any chance they get, attack the feeder to the degree that it's swinging all over, and keep eating even if my girls start attacking them. This is new behavior. I hate kicking them out, but I have to sometimes.

I'm in a tough spot. I've bonded with these girls and I don't want them to be starving, but I also can't afford double the feed for them, nor is my run reliably open access. It's also impossible for me to keep them out all the time when I supervise free range because my girls like to come and go. Some of the neighbors hens even run in there and lay eggs now!

So, I want to tactfully tell the neighbors that I think they may need to up their girls' feed rations, but I'm worried about coming off judgy, and these neighbors pride themselves on raising a 'tough' flock (the girls' coop is a a large shed with no ventilation, and their water buckets have algae growing in them--they also used to pen them in with turkeys until one of their girls nearly got killed, but luckily ran down to my run where I found her). I feel bad and want to help them but realize it's not my place. What's the best way to handle this?

I should also note that we have a good relationship with said neighbors, just very different approaches to chicken-keeping. They are busy and hands-off, and we work from home, are always the ones to watch them when they are (frequently) away, and otherwise are always swarmed by their chickens and the ones to discover issues.

I was in similar situation many years ago. I had 6 hens and the neighbor had about 2 dozens. She was adamant that chickens do not need to be fed anything more than handful of wheat, between the lot of them, to come into the night enclosure. Her hens thought otherwise and as soon as they found out the banquets my girls got, they invited themselves for lunch. I tried to reason with her to no avail. But then her hens really made themself at home, and also discovered all the comfy nesting boxes in my shed, which in past was home of considerably large flock. And so soon I started to get 20plus eggs a day. And my neighbor started to complain that her hens are not laying. I told that to lay she needs to feed them. Not sure if she did, but I kept all my friends supplied with lovely fresh eggs for few years.

 

[Thornpaw]

I believe that free range hens should get about 3/4 cup per hen per day. But I would do some research and provide some facts to them. I don’t baby my hens. I have 100+. But I expect them to provide eggs and they can't do that without enough feed. They get 1/4 pound each per day. And mine free range.

 

[JWarner]

This breaks my heart. That is definitely animal neglect. I hope your conversation goes well. I am not capable of confrontation, and I'd probably call animal control. But then I think about what animal control would do with the flock, and I'm not a fan of that outcome either. If they're starving, I'm surprised they're laying eggs. Free ranging is one thing, but they need proper feed, and clean water in excess, to thrive.

 

[August Coldwell]

Your neighbors are at best poor chicken guardians; at worst they are slovenly, cretinous slobs. You can maintain your “good” relationship with them or help out their unfortunate flock. Not both. Call them out or put a call out for them.

 

[Rosebud25]

I think that an anonymous call to Animal Control is appropriate.

This is no such thing as an anonymous call!