Trying to get my neighbor to give us their chicken-no luck so far

[franklinchickens]

I'm going back over there tomorrow to see if I can get the hen, and if I can't I'm going to offer them an extra waterer I've got (one I keep in the yard as a secondary water for my girls). I realize not everyone feels that way that I, and many others, do about the chickens - though I don't think this one is meant for dinner based on the kids attitudes towards it. So we'll see what happens. They aren't bad people by any means, I just think they aren't sure what the right thing is to do. If I can't get the hen, I'll do what I can to help and educate them.

 

[Boyd]

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[ChicksterJo]

I commend you for trying to ask your neighbor for their chicken so that she could have company and protection. I know that people raise their animals differently but the girl might not feel so bad about letting her neighbor take care of the chicken for her, in the meantime, if it means that the hen could have some protection. My grandpa lets his chickens free range and they sleep in the trees (this is in a different country) but here I would not do that even if chickens were allowed to roam around freely (I live in a small city). I don't want to lose any of them if I could offer some protection. A cardboard box and a tarp on the front porch isn't really any sort of protection. Plus, the hen is alone. She could need company. And you said that the hen would still be the girl's, so if it were me it would be a win-win situation.

 

[whiteflare]

I think it's great you care so much about the bird living with them, and you've made your efforts to tell them what they could be doing better. They do sound like a nice family to me: perhaps, do you have any old cages you don't use anymore?
They could see the chicken would be happier living in a cage that lets the light in, and perhaps consider a different lifestyle for her.

Or maybe a trial basis? You could offer to keep the bird for a day or two just to see how things go.
Good luck is all I can say!

 

[welsummerchicks]

You have made your offer to take their chicken, now it is time to just leave these people alone.

It is not unusual what they are doing and the animal is getting fed and watered, so there isn't anything that can be done.

 

[sheaviance1]

I have a suggestion. Can you help them to get some supplies to build a coop? I'm not sure where you live, but almost every area has tons of pallets that can be had for free. For one (or two if you gift them one) chickens, they wouldn't need a whole lot.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
X2 just the nature of most folks I know to help instead of taking

 

[franklinchickens]

I think I need to figure out if they really WANT to have chickens. If so, I'm happy to help them figure out better care. But the impression I've got is that they got this chick as a gift and they are sort of trying to figure out for themselves if they want it permanently or not.
My hope is that if they aren't up for making a go of it, Marshmallow can live with us (they are only across the street and down a few houses) and they can come visit. If not, I'll do what I can to give the hen a better life. So I'm heading over with our extra waterer.
@sheaviance1 we don't really have any extra materials - our coop was built last year and we have a very small property. But if they are open to it, we'll try to educate them. I think they just aren't sure what they want to do right now. I'm not willing to give up one of our hens (they are my daughters pets) but there's always people on craigs list looking for homes for them. Based on talking with them, they know just about nothing when it comes to chickens and were happy when I told them theirs was a hen (at least I'm 99% sure!).
I'm sort of in an awkward place - and based on responses - mixed feelings from the byc crowd - I want to help but not completely sure they want my help and want to maintain good neighborly relations. I'll do my best I guess.

 

[franklinchickens]

Quote:
The box & tarp are not enough protection - we also live in a small city and we have resident neighborhood foxes (2 families of them) as well as a few feral and not-so-feral cats who would have no problem making a tasty meal. Ours free range but only during the day in a completely fenced area with a lot of supervision (my husband works from home and his office overlooks the yard). And I agree about the company - she's got to be lonely by herself.
@aprophet & @sheavance1 Assuming they want to keep the hen, and I'm not really sure they do, I will assist them in whatever way I can. I really just want what is best for the chicken.
I really appreciate all the input - I really posted just to sort of vent my concerns.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Here's hoping that she goes to you and your flock! You're a very nice person to consider their feelings and I know that you want the best for this chicken.