Visiting Chickens

[Jamity46]

So, I've been reading that you should not let your flock mingle with another flock. My neighbors chickens/rooster come over and hang in my yard and my chickens will go over and hang in her yard. It's actually funny, her chickens/rooster will come over in the morning and hang out in front of my coop as if they are asking them to come out and play. We both have over 10 acres you'd think they could each hang in their own yards, but they don't. How bad is this or is it ok since they all seem to get along? Any thoughts would be great.

 

[chickens really]

If nothing has happened yet as far as illness goes, they are fine..

 

[Shadrach]

In theory the rule that you shouldn't let your chickens mix with another flock is right.
It rather looks like you don't have a lot of choice.
You both (you and your neighbor) risk contaminating each others flock should anything go wrong.
I would talk to your neighbors and see what they feel about the risk.
If neither of you think there is a problem then I can't see one either.
If either of you do have concerns then you'll need to find a way of stopping the social life.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Different people have different reasons for why they offer advice and suggestions. It's not always easy to figure out why. This one might be that it is possible they could transmit a disease or parasite, much like one of your co-workers could give you a disease or parasite if they have it. Of course, if your co-workers don't have a disease or parasite they cannot give it to you. Same thing is true for your neighbor's chickens. They cannot give anything to your chickens if they don't have it, just like your chickens cannot infest or infect them if they don't have it.

If that is the reason then it is too late. Those two flocks have already shared any diseases, parasites, or probiotics they may have. They have developed the same flock immunities or are in the process of developing them. Unless they are acting sick this would not be very high on my worry list to start with though some people would freak out.

It sounds like your neighbors have a rooster and you don't. That means your eggs are probably fertile. Is that a problem for you? I remember one lady on here that grabbed a shotgun and blasted the neighbor's rooster because he was raping her hens. I don't think I'll ever forget that post.

Are you sure your hens are laying in your nests and the other hens are laying in their nests? That doesn't always happen.

That's all I can think of. Maybe someone else has some other ideas.

 

[townchicks]

Free ranging comes with risks. That includes the risk of disease, as well as predators. Not just from your neighbor's chickens, but wild birds as well. Everyone has to weigh to risk versus reward for themselves. If you are ok with this risk, continue to do as you have been. If you are not, then you should contain your flock in a manner that reduces or eliminates this risk. If you are on good terms with your neighbor, you may want to discuss this with them. Things may be fine for now, but what if your neighbor gets some new birds? What if they didn't quarantine these new birds, but put them right out where yours can mingle with them? Knowing your neighbor's philosophies on flock management, and they knowing yours as well, will help you both make the choices you are comfortable with.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I remember one lady on here that grabbed a shotgun and blasted the neighbor's rooster because he was raping her hens. I don't think I'll ever forget that post.

Are you sure your hens are laying in your nests and the other hens are laying in their nests? That doesn't always happen.

That's all I can think of. Maybe someone else has some other ideas.

I want to hear this story, where can I find it? Hahaha.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I want to hear this story, where can I find it? Hahaha.

I have no idea, that was several years ago.

 

[RWise]

Sounds like a certain rooster has a single flock in 2 coops.
Whatever bad may be there is already there, this rooster is more than happy to service the extra girls.
Do you want chicks?

 

[centrarchid]

Mixing flocks complicates who is responsible for them. I also do not like because outside can have social issues with mine (rooster fights) or reduce my control over parentage.