Why are your chickens in my yard?!?

[Kelley Elizabeth]

There has to be something wrong with my neighbor's chickens roaming the neighborhood terrorizing everyone. I mean, my mom grew up on a farm and their chickens weren't allowed free access to everyone else's yards. This gives "free range chickens" a whole new meaning. This morning I was pleasantly woken up, on my day off, by the rooster IN MY YARD! This is where I draw the line. It is also extremely unsanitary to have chicken poop everywhere. I have pets. Who can I call? HELP!

[Willis]

Who can I call? HELP!

Where are you located?

There a several subdivisions on the mountain that have Home Owners' Associations that may have deed restrictions.

Have you approached your neighbors to see if the situation can be amicably settled?

If there is no organization to advocate on your behalf, it may be prudent to seek legal advice (before taking drastic measures such as putting chicken dinner on the menu)

[cindylu]

Who can I call? HELP!

Not Ghostbusters!

Yeah, my neighbor's chickens cross the "line" and my cats fear them!! Sometimes I chase them back with a stick or I'll pick 'em up and toss them back in their yard. Sometimes it works!

[KatherineA]

Jeez irresponsible chicken owners, irresponsible dog owners, irresponsible people who abandon trucks wherever. Where will it end!!!! It is time for the people to rise up! I say we have roast chicken tonight and build the roasting pit in the bed of the navy blue abandon pickup truck. If there is any gas left it - that should help with the fire!

The dogs .. . . We'll cage them all and charge each owner $1,000 to pick them up, each time the fine doubles.

Seriously, I feel your pain. The owner needs to man or woman up and build a fence. You might try a slingshot, large heavy duty squirt gun, pellet gun or one of those electric zapper things that scare the crap out of dogs, maybe it will work for chickens.

[cindylu]

One thing I did was spritz them (wandering chickens) with the water hose. Unfortunately you can't stand out there all day. You could put up a sprinkler but is the water worth it?? I'd say get a dog --- maybe one of those that keeps barking all night by Kate's home. Yep, feel your pain.

[Kelley Elizabeth]

I'd rather just go out there and spray the neighbor. I like the BBQ idea . I've been craving chicken.

[LazerFlash]

Who can I call? HELP!

First, take pictures. Second, you can try either Animal Control or maybe the Health Department. A more hands-on approach - but one that doesn't seriously injure the chickens - would be some kind of pellet-based rifle. Watering them would likely only have a temporary result, but even stupid chickens are smart enough not to go in an area which they associate with pain. And, if you use paintballs, you would have visual proof!

[Kelley Elizabeth]

Someone must have said something to him, maybe my landlord. He was just out there collecting his chickens from my side of the road. No water needed. But seriously, build a fence. (and I did take pics, are you kidding? I posted them on facebook! How funny is my yard full of chickens?)

[Kensey]

For what it's worth, chickens are now (since a couple of years ago) considered livestock where the owner is civilly liable for damage they cause. So if they get out again and eat your prize rutabagas or something, or injure your pets, you can as a last resort sue for money damages in court.

[TheChipmunks]

Send them to my yard - I welcome the free eggs!

[spatulagirl]

I had to make sure you didn't live near me so they weren't my chickens!

Mine do a good job of staying in my yard or the woods when we let them out to free range. Sometimes they go on the road and then we chase them all back into the yard. But we don't have any neighbours right next to us. The chickens only free range when we are home.

I can tell you, if my chickens did go in someone's yard, I would want to know about it so I could make sure it wouldn't happen any more.

[longleaf]

C'mon, quit complaining, it's free dinner. Doesn't anyone know how to butcher food these days?

Need a teasty spice rub, or a great fried chicken recipe, just let me know.

[itsapyr]

I am actually surprised there are any free roaming chickens alive on this mountain with the feral cats, foxes, loose dogs, hawks and owls that are around.

[Hose292]

Yea what about the neighbors cats in my yard Lol time to get the 22 out

[spatulagirl]

Mine only free range when I am home and I keep a loaded pellet gun to shoot any dogs that come after them (have lost too many to dogs!).

The cats might stare at them but have never tried to eat my chickens. The rooster usually runs them off. Fox usually get my guinea fowl at night when they refuse to go in the coop and are too stupid to roost in the trees.

[Kelley Elizabeth]

Today, i do believe, I witnessed fence building happening on said lot. Kinda made me chuckle. Like a lot.

[Steveo]

Spat. Lost a chicken wed. night to a large raccoon my wife said. I am down to two hens :-(

[spatulagirl]

Oh that sucks! I have some 2 month old Easter egger hens if you want to buy one. They are ameraucana whit rock crosses and will lay tinted eggs.

[Steveo]

Thanks, I am good I think I will just go to McMurray's hatchery and get some more