Oh my am I angry.

[pollo curioso]

DelcoChix is right. Assumption can make a simple problem a huge problem in no time. Be proper and polite first; hear them out. If they are incapable of neighborly acquiescence and can't return the sentiment, break out the razor wire, padlocks, barking dogs and law books and give 'em what-fer!

 

[TrystInn]

I would be bloody furious! I had absolutely no idea humans would be as much trouble, if not more so, than 4-legged predators before we got chickens.

Our security:

Padlocks, the 4-directional ones, on each fence gate
Same on the shed doors
Two very loud Basset Hounds who will kick up enough fuss for me to grab a rifle or shotgun
Motion sensing light on the back of the house pointed at the coop door
A very complicated latch on the coop door
The master bedroom windows overlook both coops and there's a revolver in the nightstand (we don't have kids)
A duck flock who will scream and holler if anything disturbs them at night

So far, we've lost:
two rabbits to a neighborhood kid who snuck in and fed them eucalyptus from their mother's garden *sigh*
one rabbit to another neighborhood kid who stomped on it after he scratched her trying to get away. Also trespassing.
one lame duck to a Bald Eagle (I figure the Eagle was due)
one bantam chicken to a neighbor's cat (the bantams are now penned up)
one duck to a neighbor's loose dog

 

[AndersonFolk]

Have they let them out before at night?? If they have done it more than once, they will do it again. I'm a rogue type of guy, so get camo'd out, hide in the dark and when they come to let them out, present them with a shotgun to the face (unloaded if it makes you feel better) and then have a talk with them.

 

[Ole rooster]

Nurse 36, great story. But why not one just about the nose? If I found someone on my place "after hours", they also would find me not a pleasant person. I don't know what they're up to and I will stop them. I would treat them just I would a possum.

 

[AngelV]

FIRES me up to read this..... I hope you catch who ever is doing this.

 

[AngelV]

Quote:
I like the way you think..... GETRDON!!!!

 

[chicmom]

I'd put a lock on the door. Also, can you maybe put a few sections of that wooden privacy fencing between your chicken coop and your neighbor's coop? That way, they wouldn't be able to see your chickens anymore......Out of sight, out of mind, ya know?

 

[Oregon Blues]

I thought my neighbors were opening my gate to let my dogs out.

Until I saw what was actually happening. If the wind was blowing at just the right speed and the right direction, it would set the gate to shimmying and it would pop open.

I suggest that you get a much better latch and put a padlock on it.

 

[nickie]

Quote:
People think I'm being silly when I tell them my ducks are a part of my security system.


I would do the "concerned neighbor approach" along with alerting proper authorities and then go with trying to catch the culprit in the act

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Thanks for the suggestions/replies everyone! I bought two locks today (one for run one for coop) and a co-worker actually offered to loan me a game cam when I told her the story!

She will bring it to work next week. I don't know 100% that it was the neighbors who did this. But, it just seems VERY coincidental. We have had this same coop/run for over a year and have NEVER had a door mysteriously opened until last week. I checked the door/latch over carefully for damage and there simply is none. It hasn't been moved or altered in MONTHS. So, just to be safe and thorough, I will be putting new locks and setting a game cam. Again, thanks all for your support in this stressful time!!! And great suggestions by ALL~