Not a predator, just a pest!

[waibel zoo]

I am going out on a limb here. I have kids, and they are curious. They always want to hold the chickens. So either I gently walk up and catch one for them or tell them if they can catch it. I don't see the big deal if they are not harming them. Maybe instead of her chasing she could ask you to get one for her so she can hold and pet it? Eventually the novety will wear off. You could also show her how to feed treats to get them to come to her instead of chasing.

 

[Justaheifer]

Quote:
None of my birds are "holdable", she knows that. If I catch 1, all heck breaks loose!
I think we have a good thing going here! The birds do what they want, I do what I want, and it's very peaceful!
I have found that if there is chasing, stray dogs or anything out of the ordinary going on in the yard, it takes a while for everybody to get back to that peace.
With hawks, coyotes and who knows what else running around outside the yard, I like knowing they feel safe in the yard.

It has taken me a long time to get the ducks to even trust me enough to come into the feed barn to eat while I am in there! I admit it's hard to walk in there without stepping on some toes, but I'd like it stay that way.

BeccaOH, I caught a friends 11year old daughter holding down one of my cats, squishing leaves into it's face? She is probably the worst case of spoilt I have ever met, but now seems to get very quiet around me?

 

[LizzyJo]

This reminds me of a story--

I worked with a woman, Lucy, who was married with no children. She and her husband had a nicely decorated house with very nice furnishings.

One evening they invited a co-worker of her husband's and his wife and 8-year-old daughter to dinner. The parents had no control over the daughter. After dinner, while the grown-ups were having coffee in the living room, the kid started running through the house in a circle from the living room to the dining room to the kitchen to the entry hall and back into the living room.

The parents ignored the weak "oh, be careful honey, I don't want you to fall and hurt yourself" remarks that Lucy made. So she got up and went into the kitchen apparently on some errand and layed in wait until the kid came charging through again. She grabbed her by the arm and pulled her right up close so she was hissing directly into her face and said something like, "Listn you little brat, you know I don't want you running in my house. You go right in there and sit down or you're going to be sorry. Do you understand?" Then Lucy got whatever she came into the kitchen to get and when she got back to the living room the kid was seated on the couch next to her oblivious parents.

The kid probably told the parents what happened on the way home, but Lucy didn't care because
1) the problem of running through the house was solved as far as Lucy was concerned
2) Lucy didn't care if she ever saw those people again
3) the parents needed to know that not everyone found their daughter as charming as they did
4) maybe the kid learned from it and became civilized

Back to the point of the thread (finally). Get the kid and the kid's mother before the chasing starts and explain in no uncertain terms that it is not allowed and what will happen if it does. If the chasing continues I would charge into the yard at a run and snatch that kid up and march her into the house and raise hell with her and her mother.

If you act like a namby-pamby old lady, that's how you will be treated. If you act like those fowl are your property that must be treated properly out of respect for you, that's how they will be treated.

After you scare the kid half to death, let some time go by and, if they ever visit you again, offer to share some simple chores. This will let the kid know that these are still your birds and she only approaches them if you say she can and, just as importantly, that you love your niece and want her to share the fun of seeing the animals up close and enjoying them with you.

 

[lone cedar farm]

Kids.....shock collars, now thats a thought!

 

[rhondapiper]

I don't let most of the kids in my family over anymore. They chase my cats, harass my already paranoid dog, and mess up my house, my yard, and my wildlife. I'm sure now that I have chickens, they'd bother them too.

If a person misbehaves at my house, he or she doesn't get invited back, whether 8 or 80. He or she also gets snatched up and calmly but deliberately told how to act. If the behavior continues, the person is asked to leave, even if this means offending someone.

One cousin I allowed to sleep over waited til I went to sleep, got out of bed, and bothered my animals all night long. He has never been back, despite asking tons of times.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I don't care who the child is, what their excuse, how irresponsible their parents, whatever. If they make my animals uncomfortable by chasing, picking on them, trying to hold them when they don't want, whatever, they are banned from my home. PERIOD.

Really ugly threats DO work with bratty kids, though.

This is a totally different issue, but I had a little girl beating up my middle son. She almost broke his ribs at one point. Finally I sweetly told her that if she ever touched him again I was calling the police who would probably arrest her mom and dad for letting her hurt her little brother too (a regular occurrence) and she just might be taken away. That has been at least 2 years ago and she hasn't touched him since.

 

[Boyd]

lets say i have a nameless relative that lets their two dear kids live a free'r lifestyle than I do. I calmly asked once to have them control the kids, they were making me nervous. 2nd time I told them to control their kids or I'd do something instead....... 3rd time I popped them on the tush and they've been angels ever since.

Still not totally forgiven by my relative, but the kids are darlings now

 

[Justaheifer]

If you act like a namby-pamby old lady, that's how you will be treated. If you act like those fowl are your property that must be treated properly out of respect for you, that's how they will be treated.

When ever people bring over their kids, some one always points out the birds first thing! I make it a point to say loud enough for everybody to hear, "kids chasing my birds will get beat just like any dog that chase my birds!". I feel that gives the parents good enough warning! Most of the parents, catch on pretty fast!

I think part of my problem with my sister, is the fact I am far from a namby-pamby old lady! She knows I won't put up with much and I will step in and do what ever I deem necessary!
I did drag the neice out of the yard by her scruff last year, can't remember why. Made her sit outside the gate while my sister and I had a nice quiet visit!​

 

[LizzyJo]

Quote:
No you don't sound like a namby pamby. It also sounds like your sister will still come over even when you discipline her daughter. Lord knows someone has to do it.

It's like training a dog to leave the birds alone. Just keep on watching and punish immediately when it messes up. Too bad the shock collar isn't an option--the kid might learn faster.

 

[redstars]

This is the reason I just posted a question looking for info on hot wires around my coop!! ZAP!!! no more chasing. problem solved.