we have a surprise chicken visitor

[pattyhen]

Update - I found her owners! My neighbors got these chickens 6 months ago (typical Easter chick situation) and still have not built an adequate coop for them. It is an old dog house with chain link fence providing a small uncovered outdoor run. The chicken just hopped the fence to get out. The dog house and run are maybe 2'x4' combined, and they have 4 chickens in there. Their daughter is in school now, and I don't think they are taking very good care of their chickens. I keep dropping hints that I would love to adopt all of them, but I don't know if they will. I was a little sad - the little thing was growing on me!

I hope they give you the chickens. That house is way to small for 4 hens and no wander she come to your house.


Patty

 

[Amykins]

I hope they give you the chickens. That house is way to small for 4 hens and no wander she come to your house.


Patty

I agree. I think you should be forthcoming with your neighbors and tell them that what they are doing is cruel. Let them know you'd be delighted to adopt their other 3 chickens and that their daughter is welcome to come over and play with them anytime!

 

[generaldsherman]

Maybe pass on a good chicken coop design to them.

 

[jducour]

They have two coops that they purchased when they bought the chickens, but they need a little work (maybe a few hours really) to make them inhabitable. They say they are too busy to fix them up. I asked her outright today if I could take all 4, and she said she wouldn't do it until her daughter goes to college next year. Her daughter commutes 2 hours a day for high school, so she only sees the chickens on the weekends. It's too bad. I pushed her a little bit, but she is firm. I just wanted her to know she has options, and I would give them a home in a heartbeat.

 

[jducour]

I agree. I think you should be forthcoming with your neighbors and tell them that what they are doing is cruel. Let them know you'd be delighted to adopt their other 3 chickens and that their daughter is welcome to come over and play with them anytime!

I told them she could visit them at our house any time, we are just across the street. SHe said thanks, but you can come visit them any time you want. I just wanted to say THAT'S NOT THE POINT!

 

[Amykins]

I told them she could visit them at our house any time, we are just across the street. SHe said thanks, but you can come visit them any time you want. I just wanted to say THAT'S NOT THE POINT!

That's why you just gotta be blunt with some people. Is there an SPCA in your area?

 

[jducour]

That's why you just gotta be blunt with some people. Is there an SPCA in your area?

I'm not sure. These are good people, but they are very busy with a wedding and other family commitments. Maybe I could offer to help complete one of their coops? I'm sure they wouldn't mind, they ask my husband to work on their house for free all of the time

. I will see what I can do, and keep an eye on the situation. Do you know how many sq. feet per chicken is preferred in an enclosed coop/run?

 

[room onthebroom]

OMG! Those poor birds! I think the general rule of thumb is 4sq ft per bird (which still sounds a little small to me.) Right now they have 4 birds in a cage that's not even big enough for 1 bird. If you & your husband can fix their coops, you will be my new favorite people in the world!