Neighbor's rooster trying to claim my flock

[FortFusterCluck]

I live in a very tiny town where everyone has chickens and other farm animals. We have two acres, the neighbors on either side have 15+ acres. They both have chickens that free-range. Since I only have had my chickens for a couple weeks, my chickens have been kept in the coop & run.

Yesterday, I let my two hens out for the first time while keeping my youngsters in the run. As soon as my neighbor's rooster noticed my hens he *bolted* into my yard. My hens laid into submissive positions but I chased him away before he got to them. Since then, he's been back multiple times. Every hour or so, we're chasing him back into his barn.

I mentioned it to his owner. She didn't really respond other than to say he was wants hens. (He can't have mine!) There aren't fences other than electricfied livestock fences. I'd like the girls (eventually everyone) to be able to get out for a period of time every day. I do have a rooster in my bunch, but he's only 9-10 weeks right now.

Any thoughts?

 

[MadGardener]

Sounds like your neighbor doesn't want to cooperate. You might want to consider electrified poultry netting. I'm very happy with Premier1 PoultryNet. I highly recommend spending extra for the "premium" with closer posts that are driveable.

I keep my chickens on mobile pasture so a plug in charger is not an option for me. I have been happy with both solar and DC chargers with an RV battery. DH built a nice little platform that I'd be glad to snap a pic of if you think it would help.

 

[3KillerBs]

Your neighbor needs to understand that she is 100% responsible to keep her animals on her own property.

But if she refuses to fulfill that responsibility, electric poultry netting is easy to use.

You can also check your local laws in re: your rights if he comes into your yard to try to fight your rooster.

 

[FortFusterCluck]

Further information: we're new here. Just moved in 5 months ago. So I'm not looking to make enemies...

 

[Shadrach]

Yup, you've got a problem.
What applies to suburban and city plots rarely applies in rural settings.
If you neighbours haven't fenced their property then the are unlikely to do so.
Trying "official" avenues is likely to make you extremely unpopular.
I think you will have to fence all or a section of the property for the chickens and see how that goes.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yeah, first of all the rooster won't hurt your girls, but he will be herding them back to his coop.

Really the only way to keep chickens in our out is a fence. You could try a high powered squirt gun, and give Romeo a shot of water. If you can be home and do it consistently, he will probably will get the hint, and it won't hurt him.

However, the moment you let your girls out, he is going to forget all about that and be back.

 

[SourRoses]

Fences are really not optional, unless a person has a hundred acres or so.
Next, it could be the neighbor's dog. Without a fence the hens won't stand a chance. So you're going to have to be the one to take the hit and build it.
If money is tight, start with a smaller fenced area where they can enjoy the sun and foliage in safety, and expand later.
We often turn to step-in T-posts with no-climb fence wire since that is plentiful and cheap in our area, and we can still shift the fences around when we need to change the setup. You could try your local craigslist or farm & garden group to see if you can find some used supplies. That electric netting that MadGardener suggested sounds the easiest to move, I wonder what the cost would be.

 

[3KillerBs]

Further information: we're new here. Just moved in 5 months ago. So I'm not looking to make enemies...

Unfortunately, it seems that your neighbor doesn't want to return that favor of not making enemies by keeping her animals on her own property.

Fences are really not optional, unless a person has a hundred acres or so.
Next, it could be the neighbor's dog. Without a fence the hens won't stand a chance. So you're going to have to be the one to take the hit and build it.
If money is tight, start with a smaller fenced area where they can enjoy the sun and foliage in safety, and expand later.
We often turn to step-in T-posts with no-climb fence wire since that is plentiful and cheap in our area, and we can still shift the fences around when we need to change the setup. You could try your local craigslist or farm & garden group to see if you can find some used supplies. That electric netting that MadGardener suggested sounds the easiest to move, I wonder what the cost would be.

I'm very happy with my Premier 1 kit.

https://www.premier1supplies.com/poultry/fencing.php?fence_id=30

 

[aart]

Tough situation.
Only thing you can really do is keep your birds fenced in well enough that the neighboring birds can't fly into the fencing.

 

[FortFusterCluck]

Yeah, first of all the rooster won't hurt your girls, but he will be herding them back to his coop.

Really the only way to keep chickens in our out is a fence. You could try a high powered squirt gun, and give Romeo a shot of water. If you can be home and do it consistently, he will probably will get the hint, and it won't hurt him.

However, the moment you let your girls out, he is going to forget all about that and be back.

Day three update:
We've tried a stick (herding him, not swatting), a squirt gun, chasing, even my dog has chased him - no luck. He goes running back as soon as he sees us coming, but doesn't stay away.