Our only predator so far.....11 year old boy

[TNRIRRoo]

That boy needs to be taken behind the shed. Talk to the neighbor about it. I'm sure his parents will feel the same way.

 

[ranchhand]

Yup, that kid's going to be a problem in the future if something isn't done now. Sadly, many parents choose to ignore such behaviour, or even praise it as "awww, look at our little tough guy". Then the little tough guy grows up into a mean, pushy often violent jerk.

Whenever anyone comes over here, I padlock all pens. I don't want anyone in my pens but me, myself and I.

 

[Randy]

Hang on a second. Chickens are found dead all the time in their coops with no blood or other signs of predators. They die of heart attacks and other natural causes. Unless you come up with more proof I wouldn't say anything. If he didn't do it you are going to feel like crap for accusing and 11 year old boy of killing your chicken. I know the timing of the chickens death is suspicious but it really could be just coincidence.

 

[Tallgirl17]

Ah but Randy, that's not the whole point. Even if it were a coincidence, the little rugrat shouldn't be kicking at chickens or any other animal for that fact. If something isn't said now, even if it's "Hey, (boys name) was kicking my chickens" what could happen next time?

 

[harleychick]

Randy,
The only thing I know for sure is he was kicking with a lot of force at my chickens. Even if he didn't kill my chicken, he was still doing something very wrong.... especially for an 11 year old. I will probably just say something to his parents about the kicking and hope that he learns animal cruelty is wrong.

 

[Mervin]

Randy

Yes, under the law, we are innocent until proven guilty. However most day-to-day interactions are probably governed by the court of public opinion rather than a court of law. This kid's action have now created the "Perception of Impropriety" and if not addressed will ultimately lead to a stigma being attached to him. It will leak into his neighborhood and before long all acts of vandalism and cruelty will come to be associated with that kid by default. He'll be the first one the finger gets pointed at. My neighbor was that kid growing up. He was accused of absolutely everything that went down in our town. Somebody's housed get egged, or TPed, or their windows soaped, they showed up at Jimmy's house first. BTW..He dropped out of high school and started selling pot when he was 15.

As a parent, I would definitely want to know that my children had done something like that. It's my job to reaffirm their understanding of what is or isn't acceptable behavior and the difference b/t legality and morality. 11-years-old is well beyond the point where kids should understand right from wrong and that kicking animals is clearly wrong. Heck, my 3-year-old understands that. Perhaps it can be handled with tact, but the kid (and his parents) probably need to understand that there are consequences to acting like a hooligan. You don't just let something slide b/c maybe they're not connected. You just try to handle it with tact and class.

 

[chickenboy7c2d]

I never know what little kids are like with the chickens, so i always keep a stern eye on them.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I have to agree with Randy

If you saw him kicking AT the chickens, that was the time to say something to him and the parents.
But there's really no proof he had anything to do with the death, so I wouldn't bring it up to them now.

I also wouldnt invite them back though

 

[harleychick]

chickenboy: I guess I have learned my lesson and will have to keep a more stern eye on my chickens. I was trusting that with all the adults around we wouldn't have any issues.

Bearfootfarm: Unfortunately my mom witnessed the kicking, not me. She handled it with the boy by telling him to stay away from the chickens. I found out about it later.

Luckily they live about 30 minutes away from us...... they aren't our neighbors.

 

[hipeatall]

I have to agree with Randy and Bear Foot Farm.
I'm very sorry you lost your hen.