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

[kathy r]

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.

If the boys are 11 or 12, I know they would be able to understand all of the things that you wanted to share. I agree with you! Don’t want to be the grumpy person in the neighborhood but still want to protect your flock. I would probably just keep an eye out for them and seek them out to share. Maybe let the boys go in and toss them a couple mealworms or whatever you give the girls for a special treat. Share with them about predators and how you keep the hens safe. You could share the names of the hens (if you named them). Basically, if the boys have some connection with your hens (and they clearly have some interest because they brought them some lettuce), they will respect the boundaries you have set. If not, use a lock! Who know? You might be nurturing the next generation of chicken enthusiasts! Good luck!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Part of my reasons (I tell the wife) in having chickens is that we can feed lots of kitchen scraps to the birds. Are you suggesting that lettuce is not good for them? If so, why? Thanks.

Iceberg lettuce is not good for them. Romaine lettuce is OK but not too much.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Yes. I've always read that lettuce is not good to give more than a small amount because it can cause diarrhea. May not be true, but I don't bother giving it to them.

Yes it's true at least with iceberg lettuce. Found that out for myself with my chickens. Romaine doesn't have as much water in it so it's not as bad. Actually has more nutrients in it.

 

[Avian Allie]

Firstly, you handled it well. For my animals we started by telling our neighbors that they could feed our chickens over the fence any scraps they had. Big mistake! We have had everything from toxic plants to bones(bbq ribs) to I don’t even want to guess what was under the mold. My experience with neighbor kids has also been pretty bad. They have let my livestock out of the fence, fed toxic plants, tried to ride goats... In any case, I designed some pasture rules that have worked really well and everybody leaves happy. 1st if they want to feed anything they check with me. I explain that animals can’t just eat anything and in fact some things are toxic and can kill them.
2nd No one is allowed in my animal pens without me.
3rd no one can play with my animals without their parents permission.
It also helps if you slightly over exaggerate how dangerous the animals are without you there. Also explain how your chickens can be injured. I then suggest that they would have to work or pay for any damages they caused because they didn’t follow my rules. With that I have had neighbor kids come and have a blast and I don’t have to worry all the time. Good luck to you!

 

[gtaus]

I think padlocks would be a good idea during these kids visiting times. That being said, when the come back, and I’m sure they will, just let them know from here out, if you aren’t out there with the chickens it would be best if they knock on the door first to make sure it’s okay to feed them and possibly suggest to them to not bother the chickens without you or your wife being present? This is my thoughts.

Good ideas there. Thank you. I will be getting padlocks as my wife and I have lives outside of raising chickens. So we are not always home. I make it a point to go out and talk to anyone who visits the chickens and do a little "educating" at the same time. I always have some treats ready to give the visitors so they will be giving my birds something I had planned to give them anyway.

 

[Brigid of the Rockies]

Handled beautifully. Next time I might throw a little kid friendly education about the chicks. I think a lock is a must though.

 

[Sea Wolf]

Carabiners were ok. Obviously not any longer. Get a padlock. You can put the key up somewhere overhead on the coop where you can reach it and it can't be seen. Do NOT let these boys see where it is. You need to speak to them directly and tell them what they need to hear. At 12 years old, they already fully comprehend trespassing and going where you should not .. but they did it anyway. You need to tell them at least that, if they are coming to see the chickens they MUST go get you first. If they can not find you, then they need to go home and come back later. Lettuce is also very bad for chickens. Romain is better but still not really good. Bread would be better.

 

[Vivb429]

Since your yard is kind of community property to children you could put up a sign on your coop. Make it friendly with a smiling emoticon waving “Hi”. On the sign ask the kids to let you know they want to feed your chickens or to wait until you are out there. You might give approximate times since you don’t want bothered all day long. State that this allows you to make sure the food is safe for them, maybe list some chicken friendly foods. State that to keep the chickens safe from predators it must not be opened by anyone but you. Also put locks on the coop and the run. Since the chickens were scared of them they may lose interest anyway. As you said it is only for the summer and next year will probably be a different bunch of kids, if not this group will teach others. If you want add some fun facts about chickens to your sign, make it educational so it seems less a reprimand and more a learning thing. If you can draw well maybe add outlines of a chicken at different ages, or the difference in size and shape of a hen vs a rooster.

 

[NanaKat]

@gtaus , I have really enjoyed your post this morning and all the conversation it has generated. Thank you!
Seeing the evolution from beginning to end and foreseeing the benefits to follow was great.
You handled the situation perfectly and even responded to each posted comment with honesty and a nurturing spirit.
By blending your love for your chickens, your concern and compassion for those families who visit and the love for your community, you are paving the way for those future generations to remember their experiences at the lake and with the "nice chicken man".
Those 12 year old children will soon be parents bringing their children to visit and the lessons you are teaching will be carried on to them.
Cudos to you!

PS...

I only have 10 pullets that are just ten weeks old. No roosters. But I was thinking how bad it could be if some little kids went into the chicken run and were flogged by a rooster protecting his girls.

Things can happen quickly!
When my 3 year old grandson opened the gate to one of my breed pens and walked in with his little can of scratch, he was flogged by a rooster. Luckily he was wearing his winter coat and was knocked to the ground and flogged from behind. The rooster was as tall as the tyke.
After checking him over, his daddy asked him "Did you have permission to go in the pen?"
"No" sobbed the tyke.
"So, we learned not to go in the pen without Nana's permission." Lesson reinforced with a hug.
When the grandchildren came the next visit to the farm, no gates were opened.
And the "mean" rooster made great chicken&noodle.
Now 12 the tyke still talks about how good he tasted.

 

[gtaus]

Yes it's true at least with iceberg lettuce. Found that out for myself with my chickens. Romaine doesn't have as much water in it so it's not as bad. Actually has more nutrients in it.

I think that most people that want to feed kitchen scraps to their birds would offer a variety of scraps to them, not just a bucket full of lettuce and nothing else. If I ate nothing but lettuce, I don't think it would be good for me either. If I ate nothing but completely balanced and nutritious human feed pellets, I'd probably have a better diet but I can't imagine much spice in my life.

I encourage my chicks to try the kitchen scraps I offer them, but so far, they are very picky about what they will eat. No big deal, I just rake up the uneaten food and dump it in the compost bin. My 11 week old chicks must be good foragers because most of what they eat comes off the grassy chicken run. They eat about half the chick starter feed per day now that they have access to their chicken run on grass. I really don't know what they are eating, but they continue to grow and all look happy and healthy to me.