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

[WaterGoat]

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.

Humor always goes over better! Those are pretty cute!

 

[gtaus]

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.

I think I will do that if they come back to visit the chickens. I expect these kids will be gone in a few days and maybe not back until next year. So I don't necessarily want to go running to their parents at this time. I'll probably lock the coop and run until the summer is over. If the kids do come back, I think I'll be better prepared to help them understand the need for keeping the birds safe.

 

[gtaus]

...Locks on the doors for sure.

Sounds like a consensus. Thanks.

 

[StaffordshireLady]

You are a nice person.

 

[gtaus]

...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...

I won't claim to know the proper terms of the different traps. I just don't want to go out one morning to see a leg chewed off with a pink polka-dotted tennis shoe and fuzzy blue laces on the foot!

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

Oh, a reverse mind trap. Very clever. Something like, here's some gloves, now scoop the poop! Or maybe, don't even offer gloves....

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I won't claim to know the proper terms of the different traps. I just don't want to go out one morning to see a leg chewed off with a pink polka-dotted tennis shoe and fuzzy blue laces on the foot!



Oh, a reverse mind trap. Very clever. Something like, here's some gloves, now scoop the poop! Or maybe, don't even offer gloves....

Whoa!

Yeah no one wants to see that! Indeed that would be a very oversized and irresponsibly set trap... and likely illegal...

... that “here’s some gloves...” thought is probably a better route to take.... heck you never know , it might backfire and you get a helper out of the deal

 

[gtaus]

You are a nice person.

Thank you, but I'm not Canadian. However, I do live in northern Minnesota and not far from the border. Also, I have lived in Europe twice, so maybe that helps.

But seriously, thank you. The older I get, the more I try to consider others first and try not to overreact when things don't go as planned.

 

[gtaus]

...heck you never know , it might backfire and you get a helper out of the deal

I think these kids would probably enjoy some chores. In reality, my chicken chores take me all of about 5 minutes per day, and that includes walking into the backyard and back which takes about 3 minutes. After building the coop and run, there is very little work to do managing my backyard flock. Mostly now I just enjoy watching them.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I agree, all those things you wish you'd said sound perfect! Now, how about you go over, invite the kids over to "feed the chickens," and while they are there, kindly explain all those things to them? Tell them that, just as they think chicken is yummy, so do lots of predators, and that's why you have to be so careful. They can even be your helpers, by making sure nothing and nobody messes with your arrangements, and even letting you know if they see a problem. And in future, any time they have goodies for the chickens, they should bring them to you at certain specified times. They'll understand all that.

This ^^^ is beautifully worded and should work well with kids of any age as well as their family/caretakers. Plus, with you going to them, that will address the situation right away before any problems arise with anything. You'll also get your point across to kids and adults so there shouldn't be anything taken the wrong way or any words added, intentionally or unintentionally. Best wishes

 

[gtaus]

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!

The second mouse gets the cheese. There are lots of little kids here, so I would have to buy lots of pizzas. Probably cheaper to buy more chickens. But I do have an old couch, a TV not being used, and could probably borrow a game console from my nephew.... So I'll keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks.