How many of you would let your chickens/ducks free range if you KNEW they get on the road and drivers will not stop?? This was a post on another board and I found it hard to believe that the owner was venting about losing her chickens because drivers will not stop!! And she was going to have to build a fence!!! So, let me hear that you all think!!! Thank you Dixie
I am lucky because our coop is on the back of our property so the chickens don't get to the road. If they did, I would have to keep them fenced. Drivers will never stop for chickens, dogs or cats or whatever is in the road. It is not their responsiblity. We have to protect our animals.
mine do go out and play and once..got near the back road we live on-they were quickly gathered and brought down to their pen-they are only allowed to free range on weekend when we have time to watch them while we work on our property-lets the grass grow and keeps them alive!
Well, I don't understand why some people think that everyone except themselves should be responsible owners. I have a neighbour who would shot my dogs if he caught them in the field just looking at one of his cows, but it is ok for his cows to come into my field and look at my fenced dogs. Can I shot his cows, NO, some people just don't have a clue... Sorry for the hijack....now returning you to the original post. This woman needs a fence, it is her responsibility to make sure her animals are cared for and safe, not the drivers responsibility to stop.
Quote:I know that when I free range I take a chance on my poultry being taken by predators or harmed. All I can do is offer them "escape hatches" to hide under or inside of if danger comes along. Mine are far enough from the road that they don't ever go near it - but I know a neighbor whose chickens are always along the side of the road (slow road, not much danger). I also know that this neighbor would never dream of blaming someone else if one got hit by a car. Heck, if my child wandered into traffic and got hit, first person I would blame is MYSELF not the driver - chickens are no more responsible than toddlers - that is why WE have to keep an eye on them/protect them if we want to keep them around. meri
I agree, the owner is responsible to protect their animals. The road is for CARS & not Critters. (In most places, the animal owner can be held responsible for damage to vehicles caused by drivers hitting the animals - in the case of larger animals..pigs, cattle, horses)
that is why i am keeping mine fenced, i live on a dirt road in the country and people just do not slow down or stop for anything. my german shepard puppy already lost her leg and has serious health issues from getting hit last summer when she got out, and so i know i dont want to go thru that again with one of my chickens. i wish i could blame the driver though bc they are going too fast and whatnot, but i think it is kind of a two way street of the pet owner keeping the pet out of the road and the person in the car watching out for living being in the road.
No really?!?!?!?!? Poor thing she is going to have to build a fence ( sarcasim ) Why would she not build one? Does she not have to worry about dogs and foxes?
