Things you wish you could say

[sourland]

It’s going to be a long damn summer

Electric fencing and/or shock collars on the kids?

 

[NatJ]

I wish I could say my nephew and his family weren’t staying .5 miles from us until July 4th. I love my nephew and his wife, but their kids (6 and 3.5) are feral.

I wish I could say these kids did not chase my dogs and chickens around the backyard last night with every adult telling them to stop. Wish I could say THEM chasing the chickens didn’t make that game look fun to my dog, who joined in despite never even glancing at the chickens for 4 years.

I wish I could say it didn’t take me 20 minutes to find one chicken after they left (she is REALLY good at hiding and escaped the ruckus).

It’s going to be a long damn summer

Ugh, that is going to make for a long summer.

If you have a chicken run, could you just leave them in it? Maybe put a padlock or something on it, so the kid can't get in?

(Or alternately, let the chickens out and put the kid in the run!)

I wonder how many times you can all get together at a local park instead, because that lets the kids run around while keeping them away from your animals. Or spend time wherever they are staying, instead of at your place.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Grab the parents, tell them NO and smack their fannies.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Ugh, that is going to make for a long summer.

If you have a chicken run, could you just leave them in it? Maybe put a padlock or something on it, so the kid can't get in?

(Or alternately, let the chickens out and put the kid in the run!)

I wonder how many times you can all get together at a local park instead, because that lets the kids run around while keeping them away from your animals. Or spend time wherever they are staying, instead of at your place.

Putting the kids in the run I like it!

I definitely won’t let them in the backyard when the chickens are out, seems a shame to punish the birds when they didn’t do anything.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Electric fencing and/or shock collars on the kids?

A net gun could be fun.

 

[tlcmurphy]

A net gun could be fun.

Or a tazer. Not for my birds of course.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

I think you really suck and can't wait to only have to see you like twice a year

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Putting the kids in the run I like it!

I definitely won’t let them in the backyard when the chickens are out, seems a shame to punish the birds when they didn’t do anything.

You're not punishing them, you're protecting them. Same as you would if any predator was in the area. That's your job. These kids may not actively harm your chickens but they are definitely stressing them. Perhaps teach the children that they can watch the chickens if they sit quietly in little chairs that you provide, and point out interesting things about the chickens. Maybe teach them their names and see if they can learn to identify them, unless the chickens all look the same. Best wishes!

 

[KF0002]

I wish I could say my nephew and his family weren’t staying .5 miles from us until July 4th. I love my nephew and his wife, but their kids (6 and 3.5) are feral.

I wish I could say these kids did not chase my dogs and chickens around the backyard last night with every adult telling them to stop. Wish I could say THEM chasing the chickens didn’t make that game look fun to my dog, who joined in despite never even glancing at the chickens for 4 years.

I wish I could say it didn’t take me 20 minutes to find one chicken after they left (she is REALLY good at hiding and escaped the ruckus).

It’s going to be a long damn summer

I’m sorry you have to deal with that. I won’t tolerate anyone’s kids chasing and tormenting my animals. If I have to call them down, and you won’t, it’s time for you to go.

 

[tlcmurphy]

You're not punishing them, you're protecting them. Same as you would if any predator was in the area. That's your job. These kids may not actively harm your chickens but they are definitely stressing them. Perhaps teach the children that they can watch the chickens if they sit quietly in little chairs that you provide, and point out interesting things about the chickens. Maybe teach them their names and see if they can learn to identify them, unless the chickens all look the same. Best wishes!

I’d have to start by teaching my husband their names, he calls them “The blondes, the black one and the white one”