(Well-meaning) human predators in the chicken run, Oh No!

[gtaus]

And...if there had been an aggressive roo in there, and they'd gotten the door open--I assume they would have been at eye level.... Next time, if they don't learn now, it may be somebody's coop who has one. Or a quiet but property-defensive dog..

All good points which I believe I was able to discuss with them on their second visit. Thank you.

 

[gtaus]

Hate to be a downer here, but I would also suggest for your own safety that you do meet the parents, and stay outdoors with the children when they visit. Gone are the days when you can safely invite kids inside, and for good reason.

I agree. I have met the parents as they own the cabins which have been in their families for 50+ years. Some of the parents I knew as children as we have lived on this property for 30+ years ourselves. I do let the children play on my property, but nobody comes into the house unless with their parent. Children need safe places to be children, but they need to know that not everyone is nice and they should never go into anyone else's house without their parent.

 

[gtaus]

So good to hear that you were gracious to the kids and conscious of setting a good example.

That said, there are quite a few issues here that could be addressed, beginning with "Do not go onto somebody else's property unannounced and make yourself at home with their stuff."

Years ago, I had a neighbor whose grandson started coming around when I'd be outside feeding the chickens. (I had extensive pens then, breeding several varieties.) I knew enough about the kid to know that he'd had a hard life, and that's how he ended up being raised by his grandmother, so I thought his interest in chickens was a good idea.

But eventually, he started coming around any time he wanted. One day I made a remark like, "Just don't be coming over and opening the pens, etc., when there's nobody home here." I explained about legal liability in case something happened, etc. The kid seemed to take it OK, but a few minutes later I got a call from his grandmother screeching and cussing.

Eventually, she had half our block involved in a "feud." I have no way of knowing whether it would have been any better for me to tell the kid to get lost the first time he came over, but I don't see how it could have turned out worse.

I feel terrible for you. Part of my concern in dealing with these kids was the possibility that the parents might overreact to something I might have said to their children. Evidently, that is what happened to you. I have never had any children, but I can see someone telling their kids to just stay away from the grumpy old man, especially since these families are only visiting the lake for a week or two during the summer. With the help from the BYC community, I was able to think about my course and the next time the children visited everything worked out great. I could not have been more pleased. The children had a great time and will be leaving the lake with lots of good memories from this vacation.

Unfortunately, sometimes no good deed goes unpunished. I think it happens to us all.

 

[Lori J]

Need some suggestions on how to handle young neighborhood kids...

This morning, it was raining outside. Normally, I open the pop door on the coop and let the chickens out into the run fairly early in the morning. But, since it was raining, I was taking my time today knowing the birds have both food and water in the coop. Well, the rain slowed down to a light sprinkling, so I headed out to the garage to get some fresh feed for my 10 ten-week-old pullets.

As I turned the corner of the garage, feed bucket in hand, I saw two young neighborhood boys not only in the chicken run, but trying to open the sliding pop door! OK, not good, but try not to panic.

I live on a lake and in the summer we get lots of visiting people for a short period of time. These boys are only here for a few weeks, they are about 12 years old, and they came bearing a sack of lettuce to feed to the chickens. Since the chickens were still in the coop, they were trying to figure out how to open the pop door to feed the lettuce to the birds. So, truly, their hearts were in the right place. But we all know about unintended consequences....

My chicken run has a dog kennel gate panel and I use that gate to get in/out of the chicken run. The gate latch has a secure locking feature to put on a padlock, or in my case, I just use a carabiner. That locks the gate latch for most predators, but certainly not humans. Likewise, I use a carabiner on the chicken coop access door gate latch. Again, easy for humans to bypass.

The kids were not able to get the sliding pop door open. So I guess that my design was tested under fire in real life. When I made the sliding pop door, I added extra weight to the door inside the coop and the bottom of the sliding door extends down into the framing so you cannot get your fingers under, over, or around the door. The door itself is smooth and slippery, so you can't get any leverage on it to pull it up - I tried with my bare hands and I could not do it. Fortunately, neither could these kids.

So, trying to be very calm and understanding, I wished the boys "Good morning" and asked them if they had come to visit the chickens. They said they had some nice lettuce to feed the chickens but they could not get the door open to feed the birds. So I told them that I was also feeding the birds, and that I had to open the small pop door from inside the coop. So they came out of the chicken run and actually not only shut the gate behind them, but also put the carabiner back on for me. That was good.

I opened the pop door and the birds came out. They started throwing lettuce into the run and the chicks got scared and ran right back into the coop! I explained to the kids that these chicks are not used to having people around as I have been the only one to feed and care for them since they were day-old chicks. But I thanked them for the lettuce and thinking of the birds. I told them that they would be back out later and would eat the lettuce then. They seemed to be OK with that and after a short while they left and went back home.

Afterwards, I was thinking about what I should have/could have said.... For example, even though I was thanking them for thinking of the birds and bringing some nice lettuce for them, I should have also told them that if the chickens are not outside, that I might not be at home and don't want the chickens outside in the run. I should have told them that only I should open the pop door and that others should not try to get into the coop. I just did not think of it at the time.

I don't want to be the grumpy old man yelling at the neighborhood kids to get off my lawn, but I am concerned that a gate would be left open, the chickens get out, and then killed by a dog, eagle, hawk, etc... So I am thinking about putting padlocks on the coop and gate, at least during the summer when the visiting neighbors arrive. These kids will only be here a few weeks, and I really want to encourage them to enjoy my chickens and feel free to visit. My wife and I never had any children, so I am not quite sure on how to best both encourage these children while at the same time stressing to them that there are boundaries which should not be crossed - like going into the chicken run and trying to open the pop door!

Well, if you have read this post thus far, you are probably the type of person who could offer me some suggestions on how to better handle these type of situations with the neighborhood kids. So I open it up to you for some thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Well as I see it, you could tell them next time you see them those things that you mentioned. If you’re very concerned that something might happen in the meantime, you could tell their parents those things to pass along to the children. it would be good if you said you were only mentioning this because you’re worried that the chickens won’t get out and get eaten by an eagle, dog or something, because it seems like these kids would be concerned with the chickens welfare and that would mean something to them.

I think you handled that well and I am very proud to hear that someone is kind and patient. We have a fenced in backyard and let our chickens run around during the day. We had to train our indoor dogs not to attack them and it took a lot of time! But as you know this sort of life for a chicken, Though pleasant, can make it more dangerous and we have had two chickens attacked over the years when we had fence boards down and didn’t realize it.

 

[Sequel]

Trap and relocate... use pizza for bait

 

[Lori J]

I agree. I have met the parents as they own the cabins which have been in their families for 50+ years. Some of the parents I knew as children as we have lived on this property for 30+ years ourselves. I do let the children play on my property, but nobody comes into the house unless with their parent. Children need safe places to be children, but they need to know that not everyone is nice and they should never go into anyone else's house without their parent.

I was a child in the 70s and I knew better but I would still going to peoples property and play with their animals every so often. To kids that love animals it is huge temptation LOL and they sometimes conveniently forget their manners. I’m not trying to negate what you said I was just mentioning that some of these kids may know all things things and just get caught up in the moment.

 

[gtaus]

...Keep what you need on hand for a quick, impromptu lesson when you see children. They'll learn something, and you'll have a chance to brief them on the rules, including the one where you need to be home and aware of their presence if they're visiting the biddies!

I do keep some bread and chicken scratch on hand in case anyone comes to visit the chicks. I'm not so much into laying down rules as I don't think any of these kids will be here more than days, or a week or so every year. So I'm just more concerned that they have a nice, safe visit. But I keep a pretty good eye on the backyard and if anyone comes to visit, I go out there and talk to them, while bringing out some bread and/or chicken scratch that they can feed to my chicks. Part of the enjoyment I get out of raising chickens is sharing the experience with others.

 

[gtaus]

LOVE THEM! I'd hesitate to post the last one right on the run, though. It kinda implies that the kids can go into the run. That one belongs on the edge of your property ... so the "interlopers" know the dangers of getting any closer!

I think those dinosaur signs are funny, but I don't expect everyone to understand the joke. So I have not posted them. But I agree that the last sign should be posted on the lawn, not on the chicken run itself. For those who have not seen that last sign, here it is....

 

[gtaus]

Teenagers are like horses. They'll walk right through you. hip check ya without even blinking. push back! they are naturally curious, and like to help and be doing something. nothing wrong with a little "handling". They will respect you. you dont need to slap them around. education is everything. and maybe you make a friend.

I never had children, so I will take your word on how teenagers are to deal with. These kids were pre-teen, but I get your message just the same. Thanks.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

A lot depends on the kid. Fortunately, these kids seem nice, respectful and obedient, and you lucked out with them and their parents, as well. Be prepared for the other kind, though. One of mine is an "other." Sadly, she thinks she knows more than anybody, and will argue with you till your eyeballs fall out (I love her dearly, but all our children have flaws, and this is hers). Example: one of our cats in particular does not, DOES NOT!!!!, like to be picked up. My child, a teen, is convinced she is the Greatest Cat Whisperer of All Time because she watches My Cat From Hell, and that if she just picks this cat up and snuggles her often enough (and takes enough licks!), the cat will decide she DOES like it after all. Don't worry, we have come to an understanding on this - without having to re-home either of them (she drives and I am the Keeper of the Keys, lol). But if you come across any kids like this, be prepared to bring out the padlocks. Arguing and explaining do not work with kids like this, and they may ultimately nod and agree and then do what they want when you're not looking. Mr. Nice Guy is a great person to be, but have a Mr Tough Guy on hand if you need him!