No one has messed with my chickens until today

[Kim_1970]

If I found a neighbors kid in my chicken coop I would yell at him too.

 

[babyblue]

I would yell at any kid I found IN one of the pens. we had two roos that weighed in around 14 pounds each, if pushed around they could have really hurt a small child. I currently have one older qh and had just sold my mare. when the mare was a yearling, not even two yet I found a handfull of kids in the pasture and on her back. they decided to climb on her instead of the old horse because she was much shorter. now this was a really good minded little horse and she held perfectly still while they fed her grass and had three todlars on her back at one. just because she didnt flip out and accedently kill them does not make it any better. I walked in and pulled every kid off and away from her (snot nosed bratty kids throwing a fit) and then once out of the pasture I screamed at them so badly I have never seen them again.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
My first reaction would be to yell, but you may be right. Only way to find out is to ask.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

I think if this kid is old enough to wander around the neighborhood unsupervised he's probably old enough to know better than to trespass. I would have yelled at him too. The last thing I need is some tresspassing kid getting hurt on my property and his parents (who can't be bothered to supervise him) would probably sue.

 

[SunAngel]

I had a similar situation a couple weeks ago. There are two kids in the neighborhood that are watched by their elderly/sick grandmother. The boy is about 13 and the girl is 6, they have pretty much wandered off and run loose since we moved here 6 yrs ago. I don't think they are bad kids, just ignored and have no self control.

The little girl shows up here right around 5, with a 4 yr old boy, asking if they could see my chicks inside my living room. This freaks me out, because there is no way she should know I have chicks in there. I tell her no and that we are getting ready to eat dinner and that she should go home before someone comes looking for her. I say bye and go to the kitchen to finish making dinner, happen to look out the window and see the little boy by my duck house. The kids weren't going to take no for an answer, so they went into my backyard.

I ran outside and quite loudly told them they could not be in my backyard without an adult, they both took off running into the neighbors yard. I go back into the kitchen, look out the window and see my 3 Swedish ducks happily freeranging. Those brats had taken the pins out of both locks and were trying to get to my ducks through their house! I ran outside and it took me a good 15 mins to get them back into their house. I was trying to hurry so dinner didn't burn. I was sooo mad! The nerve of some peoples kids, I swear! I was going to get locks for the coops, but I hate the thought of having to unlock them all the time. I am getting ready to give that house and pen to my Ameraucanas though, so I might have to lock it. I made sure I told the little girls grandfather when I saw him walk past the house, so hopefully she won't dare come back.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I agree with this being a concern, but I disagree about yelling at the kid. I'd go yell at the parents of the kid, but never the kid, no matter if he is 16 or not. The parents are the ones responsible and the ones that should deal with their child. Just my opinion.

 

[littledel]

Quote:
I might not have yelled, but I bet I would have talked VERY LOUD.

 

[lockedhearts]

Cyn, he was in Maces pen and while Mace is awesome with me, I have no idea how he will react to someone he does not know, this kid is probably 10 and I don't think he will be back. I stayed outside until almost dark and will be back out all day tomorrow. Most of my roosters are good, but then again, Don & I are the only people they know. Lucy (Jack Russell) was with me and she barked at him! I think she felt like he was messing with her chickens. Problem is our Bouvier sometimes is out front by himself, if someone he does not know comes in this yard, well it probably would not be pretty. We have No Trespassing signs on the front fence, but thinking I need to add some on the side. We plan to fence as soon as we can come up with the money. For now, locking them up is all I can do. I even offered them White eggs last saturday so they could dye some for easter. I used to give them eggs when the grandmother lived there. Her 2 sons and their kids live there now and I have offered eggs but I don't think either of the sons cook.


I also have horses, my gelding is huge and he plays hard! If these kids happen to go in his pasture he could easily pick one up and toss them. He would not intentionally hurt a person and is not mean, but he loves to play and if they tried to run, well chase is his favorite, I mean this boys favorite toy is a downed tree! I also worry about the health and safety of my birds, you just never know what a kid might do, besides the fact that the one son has 2 Pit Bulls (both are penned up securely) but what's to stop this kid from snagging a bird and throwing in the pen with their dog to see what happens?

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

If he was a young kid, you probably scared him enough just catching him. I would let it go unless he was caught in there again. Then, maybe talk to him about chickens. You never know - he may be the next chicken-loving generation in that family.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Ah a little guy...I'd tell him if he wants the eggs you have some work for him and will teach him as you go. Nothing better than an enthusiastic kid to help around. I might even go as far as giving him a hen or two to keep at my place if he turns out to be a good helper, WITH parents permission of course. I bet he'd love it. I wouldn't encourage him to be there alone, but I would definately encourage him to learn if he is interested!