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

[jspeese]

I too would always be careful whom I let feed my poultry, both because of liability issues and for the sake of my birds themselves. A rooster could conceivably attack a stranger, which would be especially intimidating to a small child not much bigger than a large rooster. And even a well-intentioned person could give the birds something they ought not to have. If I got a neighbor, friend, etc. to look after my birds I'd make sure they knew what to do and what not to do.

 

[gtaus]

The world would be a much more pleasant place if we all had neighbours like you.

Thank you. We have lots of good neighbors here where I live and that is why I like living here. I have lived in many other places that were different, so I really do appreciate good neighbors.

 

[gtaus]

You are responsible for any accidents on your property if the kids get hurt.

I have heard that before, but don't really know how it happens. We don't have any fences in our neighborhood, and being a (formerly) resort property, the city kids pretty much run all over the place enjoying a little green grass and trees while visiting the lake. My property is a real attraction because I have a creek running through it and the kids love catching frogs and looking for small fish and turtles in the stream. I don't have anything that would be dangerous to kids, but I do believe my homeowners insurance has a liability clause just in case.

 

[gtaus]

I too would always be careful whom I let feed my poultry, both because of liability issues and for the sake of my birds themselves. A rooster could conceivably attack a stranger, which would be especially intimidating to a small child not much bigger than a large rooster. And even a well-intentioned person could give the birds something they ought not to have. If I got a neighbor, friend, etc. to look after my birds I'd make sure they knew what to do and what not to do.

All good points. I don't have a rooster, and I cannot imagine my girls hen pecking any kids. I have not yet needed anyone else to tend my birds. I build my coop much bigger than required for my 10 hens, and the water and feed last about 10 days before needing to be refilled. In theory, I could leave for days and my hens should be fine in their coop.

As I said, these kids only visit the lake for a few weeks every summer, and they are gone. Still, I had some scratch, kitchen scraps, bread, etc... set aside just in case kids came to visit and let them feed the chickens the food I was going to give the birds anyway. If they came over with their own food, I would check it out and remove anything I did not want the girls to eat. In reality, chickens eat almost anything and the list of forbidden food is pretty short. I would mostly just look for anything moldy.

 

[oldhen2345]

I live in a rural town and have a six foot privacy fence in the back yard. The chickens are inside another fence to keep them out of my vegetables and safe from my dog who likes to kill chickens. I have noticed that someone has been coming in my yard when I am at work - the shed door is left open- stuff stolen. The wall on two sides of the coop open up for cleaning - they have a slide latch. Twice I have come home to find the door open. I also notice my little dog skitters away like she thinks she is going to be hit or kicked if I drop something or move real fast. I have had to put locks on my gates and lock the sheds. I am glad the some have good neighbors, I do not.

 

[gtaus]

I live in a rural town and have a six foot privacy fence in the back yard. The chickens are inside another fence to keep them out of my vegetables and safe from my dog who likes to kill chickens. I have noticed that someone has been coming in my yard when I am at work - the shed door is left open- stuff stolen. The wall on two sides of the coop open up for cleaning - they have a slide latch. Twice I have come home to find the door open. I also notice my little dog skitters away like she thinks she is going to be hit or kicked if I drop something or move real fast. I have had to put locks on my gates and lock the sheds. I am glad the some have good neighbors, I do not.

Sounds like you need to put up some trail cameras to maybe catch the culprit. I lived here for 25 years before I had to put locks on my house, garage, and sheds. But some kid(s) started getting into my stuff and things walked off. Found out who it was, a troubled kid with a drug habit, when the step-mother came to my house and told me. Good parents, troubled kids, just try to keep them out of jail long enough to grow up and know better.

But I sure understand the feeling of freedom in not having to lock your doors and then the disappointment when you have to change your lifestyle and start locking up everything. I know many people just grow up and live in areas where you trust nobody and have to protect yourself all the time. I grew up in a small rural town where no doors where locked and everybody left the keys of the car in the ignition. I suppose that ages me now, but that was my childhood. Most of my year-round neighbors here are even older than me, so I have no problems with them. All good people.

 

[oldhen2345]

Sounds like you need to put up some trail cameras to maybe catch the culprit. . I grew up in a small rural town where no doors where locked and everybody left the keys of the car in the ignition. I suppose that ages me now, but that was my childhood.

I understand how you feel, that was my childhood too. My husband and I lived out in the country for over 20 years. He died a few years ago and I moved into town. We never locked our door unless we were going out of town overnight. Living in town has been an eye opener, I guarantee. I did put up a game camera recently. Hopefully this will catch the thieves. Feel like putting a sign up that says come and browse since you stole everything of value already.

 

[gtaus]

I did put up a game camera recently. Hopefully this will catch the thieves. Feel like putting a sign up that says come and browse since you stole everything of value already.

I'm terribly sorry for your situation. I hope your game camera will catch someone and put an end to these thefts. Best wishes.

 

[Charlenesmom]

I live in a rural town and have a six foot privacy fence in the back yard. The chickens are inside another fence to keep them out of my vegetables and safe from my dog who likes to kill chickens. I have noticed that someone has been coming in my yard when I am at work - the shed door is left open- stuff stolen. The wall on two sides of the coop open up for cleaning - they have a slide latch. Twice I have come home to find the door open. I also notice my little dog skitters away like she thinks she is going to be hit or kicked if I drop something or move real fast. I have had to put locks on my gates and lock the sheds. I am glad the some have good neighbors, I do not.

I hope you’ve set up a camera.

 

[oldhen2345]

I hope you’ve set up a camera.

Yes, but so far, have caught 5 cats and 1 opossum in the yard - since I retired and am home all day, no further humans in the yard - besides, all tools of value have been stolen already. Replacements are kept in a closet in the house.