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

[gtaus]

My chicken run IS my compost heap, because I alternate the garden and the chicken run on alternate years. Best and easiest composting idea. If they don’t eat it, they scratch it to bits.

I would like to do that someday. Glad to hear it works for you. I have been watching many YouTube videos of other people doing exactly the same thing.

 

[gtaus]

Trap and relocate... use pizza for bait

You're killing me. My live trap is only big enough for a raccoon. I'd have to build a bigger trap or use leg traps. But I don't like leg traps because I don't consider them very humane...

 

[gtaus]

...Use their visits to educate them on chicken care, I think it is an invaluable experience for them. I think the locks on the coop and run are a good idea to avoid any of the other curious free ranging kids from entering as well.

Good points. I was more concerned about wandering dogs, not children, so I just got taken by surprise this morning. I'll be more prepared if it happens again. And using the locks should stop any boundary violations.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Live traps for little boys are easy to set up. Pizza, a couch, and a video game console in an enclosed area. Wait for them to go in, then sneak up and shut the door- they'll be too busy to notice. The only issue then is how to take them out of the trap to relocate!

 

[janiedoe]

Quite the opposite. I'm old at heart. I'm a 75 year old in a 27 year old body. Makes for lonely living surrounded by whippersnappers. Hoping to find someone equally crotchety. Too bad there isn't a dating section of the forums. Would be cool to meet someone who loves chickens as much as I do.

@AmyJane725 just start your own post on the social forum;
27 yr old single, crotchety, chicken-lovin' female looking to meet gentlemen with similar attributes.
I'd love to see you find love on BYC it would make for a great feature story.
Good luck!

 

[hispoptart]

LOL a couple of posts have really got me laughing! I think you handled it very well. I agree though that you should go have a talk with the parents and kids and explain to them what your concerns are and what is or is not allowed.

 

[aart]

Sounds like 'pests' alright!
Ida been ticked off, but I don't give free reign to my property.
Locks on the doors for sure.

 

[gtaus]

I'd put locks on and maybe hang a sign letting people know the rules for your chickens (like: ask before feeding them anything, don't try to pick them up, don't try to scare them, enjoy their cuteness)

I'll probably have to get some locks. I don't know about posting rules, but I'll consider something like that. Maybe, "Beware the chickens, they're real mother cluckers when mad." Or, "If you tease the chicken, she will cluck you up." Another, "If you want to get hen pecked, get married. Hands outside the fence, please." How about this, "Chicks sunbathing. Look, but don't touch." I could go on, but I'll stop there. Point is some humor might bring the point home better than rules which nobody likes to follow. Well, I guess maybe I know too many people who don't like to follow rules.

 

[WaterGoat]

I'll probably have to lock up everything for the summer. I don't think the kids were being malicious, but I was concerned about unintentional consequences.

I did not quite understand your statement that "Sometimes things are not malicious but they can be intentional." If not a typo, would you please explain what you meant? Sounds pretty profound and I just can't follow. More to the story 40+ years ago?

I took that comment to mean that kids will do things not realizing they are mean or harmful, like chasing and trying to catch a chicken, or letting the chickens out of the coop when they should stay in.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

You're killing me. My live trap is only big enough for a raccoon. I'd have to build a bigger trap or use leg traps. But I don't like leg traps because I don't consider them very humane...

Lol, well maybe just being neighborly as you were is the best approach anyway.



Btw, “leg trap” or “leg hold trap” is a bit of a misnomer for what is properly called a “coil spring trap” or “foot hold trap”...

A properly sized foot hold trap catches the critter across the pad of the foot, and causes no injury.... I’ve released a lot of critters including pets from foot hold traps without issue.

When used properly they are every bit as much a “live trap” as the ubiquitous cage trap... in fact I’ve had raccoons and cats do a lot of damage to their face and mouth in a cage trap.

Unfortunately many overzealous chicken keepers and inexperienced folks go with bigger is better and set oversized foot holds that had no business being set where they were.

In any case, I’m not suggesting you need to use foot hold traps... I’m just being conversational since you mentioned it.

I had another thought on these kids though.... maybe just suggest they help with chores... I bet they make themselves scarce then