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

[gtaus]

Sending tons of warm wishes to you and your chickens. For what it’s worth, I have a padlock on my coop that helps enforce boundaries

And thank you for all the warm wishes. I'm planning on getting some padlocks for the rest of the summer. I don't think there will be a problem, but it would not be a good situation if the kids let the chickens out and something bad happened to the birds.

 

[ColinK48]

I would just tell them everything you mentioned. Props to you for being so nice about the whole situation!

 

[Taj_MaChicken]

I love this thread

 

[gtaus]

I would just tell them everything you mentioned. ...

Thanks for taking time to give me some feedback. Everything is appreciated.

 

[gtaus]

View attachment 1840496

"Kids in the coop again, get the shotgun honey!" Yeah, I don't want to be that guy.

FYI, my wife says I look just like Clint Eastwood with all my gray hair, except Clint is taller, thinner, rich, and good looking. Somehow, I don't think it was much of a compliment. Still, I guess I should take what I can get after 30+ years...she compared me to Clint Eastwood!

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

And thank you for all the warm wishes. I'm planning on getting some padlocks for the rest of the summer. I don't think there will be a problem, but it would not be a good situation if the kids let the chickens out and something bad happened to the birds.

Maybe if you put the pad locks on the doors put a little sign on the fence that says something like, there are locks on the doors for the chickens safety, but if you want to give them treats or just say hello than please, knock on my door. That way you don’t come across as that grumpy neighbor who kids are afraid of. Sometimes kids don’t understand some things, if they saw a new padlock on a door that they often visit, they would probably assume that the owner is mad or a grump, but if there was a kind note then they would not be scared off, just something to think about!

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Yes, I know their parents but not real well. They come out here to the lake for just a few weeks every year. The mother and the kids were over a few days ago and fed the chickens some strawberries. That was fine with me. What caught me off guard was seeing the boys over here, in the chicken run, trying to get the pop door open, and not having any parent with them to tell them no.

No harm today, but I am thinking about what I should do if it happens again. Like I said, the boys hearts were in the right place, but I felt they crossed over the line when they let themselves into the chicken run and tried to force open the pop door.

Some of this may be my problem because I also have a nice wooden swing set with slide that I still maintain for the visiting children even though my wife and I have no kids out here anymore. Also, we have a small stream going through our property and all the neighborhood kids are in there catching frogs and such. So the visiting children have always been free to use my property and I really enjoy that. They enjoy their vacations out here at the lake and I like to think I make it just a little better for them.

Looks like you have a lot of responses to your post. Nevertheless, I’ll weigh in and suggest that you go over to the house when parents are home, ask if you can talk to them and kids, and explain that: you like sharing your playset with the kids and you’re happy that they like your chickens too. Then add that you just want to be sure everyone knows that.... whatever your core rules are, like: only you are allowed to take the padlock or carabiner off the gate, for the chickens’ safety, and that too many treats aren’t good for chickens, so you need to check any treats before they are fed. Most 12 year olds should know these kind of basic rules from neighborhood dogs, zoos, etc so none of this should be surprising or come off as cantankerous. Maybe end with a plan for when the kids can next visit, that you can supply the treats, etc. so that it ends on a positive note.

 

[gtaus]

Looks like you have a lot of responses to your post. Nevertheless, I’ll weigh in and suggest that you go over to the house when parents are home, ask if you can talk to them and kids, and explain that: you like sharing your playset with the kids and you’re happy that they like your chickens too. Then add that you just want to be sure everyone knows that.... whatever your core rules are, like: only you are allowed to take the padlock or carabiner off the gate, for the chickens’ safety, and that too many treats aren’t good for chickens, so you need to check any treats before they are fed. Most 12 year olds should know these kind of basic rules from neighborhood dogs, zoos, etc so none of this should be surprising or come off as cantankerous. Maybe end with a plan for when the kids can next visit, that you can supply the treats, etc. so that it ends on a positive note.

Thank you for weighing in with your suggestions. I think your plan is great if I was actually having to live with these kids in the neighborhood for any length of time. Absolutely everything you have said, and others, about going to their house and talking to the parents and kids is spot on. I could, and would do that under most circumstances.

However, these kids and their parents will be gone in a few days to a week at most, and not be back until next year. So I don't want to make a big issue out of it as no harm has been done. I'll get some padlocks and lock up the coop and chicken run. If the kids come back in the next day or two, I'll have a nice talk with them about many of the things you guys have mentioned. I think the kids will understand and it will not be a big deal.

As far as treats, I really don't mind what they offer to the birds as long as it's not something I know is bad for them. I have been good to watch what is thrown into the run and offered to the chickens. If I thought something was bad for them, I'd just go in there and pick it up for the compost bin. Likewise, if the chickens don't eat the treats the kids bring over, I'll just rake it up later and dump it in the compost bin. They only come with a small bowl of food, not buckets. So I am not too concerned.

For me, it's just fun to see the kids get such enjoyment offering food to the chickens and I am always sure to thank them for coming over and giving something to my birds. I know they go back to their lives in the city and probably never see any wild animals or livestock for another year. It's also important to me that the kids feel appreciated when they try to do something nice for others, in this case, my chickens.

So yes, I agree with all your comments and suggestions, but I'm not going to be setting up any plans for visits or laying down rules for the kids when I know they will all be gone sometime this weekend and I will not see them again until next year. Hope that makes sense to you.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Thank you for weighing in with your suggestions. I think your plan is great if I was actually having to live with these kids in the neighborhood for any length of time. Absolutely everything you have said, and others, about going to their house and talking to the parents and kids is spot on. I could, and would do that under most circumstances.

However, these kids and their parents will be gone in a few days to a week at most, and not be back until next year. So I don't want to make a big issue out of it as no harm has been done. I'll get some padlocks and lock up the coop and chicken run. If the kids come back in the next day or two, I'll have a nice talk with them about many of the things you guys have mentioned. I think the kids will understand and it will not be a big deal.

As far as treats, I really don't mind what they offer to the birds as long as it's not something I know is bad for them. I have been good to watch what is thrown into the run and offered to the chickens. If I thought something was bad for them, I'd just go in there and pick it up for the compost bin. Likewise, if the chickens don't eat the treats the kids bring over, I'll just rake it up later and dump it in the compost bin. They only come with a small bowl of food, not buckets. So I am not too concerned.

For me, it's just fun to see the kids get such enjoyment offering food to the chickens and I am always sure to thank them for coming over and giving something to my birds. I know they go back to their lives in the city and probably never see any wild animals or livestock for another year. It's also important to me that the kids feel appreciated when they try to do something nice for others, in this case, my chickens.

So yes, I agree with all your comments and suggestions, but I'm not going to be setting up any plans for visits or laying down rules for the kids when I know they will all be gone sometime this weekend and I will not see them again until next year. Hope that makes sense to you.

Sounds like you have a well thought out plan in place. It’s great that you are welcoming to visiting kids so they can experience a little bit of the joy of poultry!

 

[gtaus]

It’s great that you are welcoming to visiting kids so they can experience a little bit of the joy of poultry!

If I mess up everything else, but the kids do experience a little bit of the joy of poultry, I think we all come out ahead. Thank you.