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GEB

How do I keep them safe from people!

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Hello,

Have been lurking in the background here for some time now and am ridiculously addicted to the forum even though i rarely post.

After a very long wait of almost a year (it never seemed to be the right time, we were moving etc), and a flurry of activity building a run over the past few weeks I am finally due to get my chickens! I am stupidly excited and waiting these last few days is killing me. Then today I'm suddenly filled with worry.

I have been off work so home today and have had a problem with some young boys(about 12 years old) coming in the garden. We knew they were coming in before (often leaving rubbish, moving things, taking our wood, breaking things etc) but to keep the chickens safe have just spent loads of money(£2000) errecting a 6" fence around the garden and thought that would be the end of it. Obviously we were wrong! I now worry what they will get up to when the chickens arrive and we are at work(or even when we are in as we can't see the chicken run from the house). I feel that something terrible might happen!

What do we do?

This is the first day I have actually seen them. Because i was in the garden (painting the shed) they saw me and stopped, just sitting on top of the fence. But from the conversation I heard I know their intention had been to come in. They ignored me when i asked them to get off my fence and only got down when i approached them. They tried again twice more, but saw me and got down.

I feel like crying. I've been so looking forward to getting my chooks, and we brought this house cos of the beautiful garden and i feel like they are ruining it all! Its making me so angry...we've put so much energy into fox proofing the run, but we can't child proof it.

Any advice?

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Anti vandal paint on the top of the fence, and a word with the police would work. They are trespassing and causing criminal damage.

 

So long as you have signs up along the fence, you are entitled to use barbed wire too.

 

It's such a shame that you have to go to these lengths - do you have a school near to you GEB? It may be that they come from theer and you need to have a word with their teachers. TYry getting some pics of them in the act.

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Oh that's terrible!!! No wonder you are worried...

Is there any way you could install some kind of cheap security/surveillance thing, just to scare them off? It might be possible to get 'dummy ones', just plastic camera that you attach to the wall to make them think they'll be filmed and deter them from trespassing?

I saw an unknown child in my garden once, and though he didnt do any damage and ran off when he saw me, it did make me wonder what on earth he was doing there. I also saw a man in my front garden once early in the morning, just lurking around, and that truly freaked me out... told my DH I want a big dog (partly to feel more secure, partly cause I always wanted a dog anyway)...

Could you maybe ask for some advise from the police? Those boys are trespassing after all, the police might be able to suggest some ways to keep them off? Would a sign on the fence saying 'police has been contacted, action will be taken' just be laughed at??

 

Not sure what else to advise, but I do sympathise with your worries, one should be allowed to feel safe and keep one's pets safe from vandalism in one's own garden...

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:D I've tried the brambles already. Did that before the fence. OH and I almost killed ourselves positioning these awful spikey branches. Next day they had simply been removed...no problem :roll:

There is a school near by, but I'm pretty certain these children are the ones who live in the street behind ours although as new to the area I couldn't be sure.

I thought about a sign, or barbed wire. But I am wary of creating even more of a situation. Would it just make it a challange? I don't want to create a hostile environment.

I just feel so outraged that they think they can just come and go on my property! Also feel a kind of disbelief...as a child I would never of dreamt of tresspassing like that.

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Is there anything to stop you adding some trellis to the top of the fence (not sure if any permission's needed over 6ft?). I think you should definitely get some prickly shrubs as a minimum?

 

Here's a (hopefully) useful link:

http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/garden.htm

 

Can you speak to your local police or council about what steps you can take?

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How awful for you.

 

Definitely tell the police.

 

Photograph them if you can and speak to local head teachers and show them the photos.

 

Put some of **Intruder Excluder**along the top of the fence, with a warning note.

 

If you know who their parents are....have a word.

 

Don't hesitate to prosecute if they are caught.

 

Keep a diary and jot down incidents too.

 

Rotten for you to have this worry at what should be an exciting time.

 

Little beggars.

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was the house unoccupied before you bought it? If it was then it's no wonder kids are using it as a playground. Now they realise you've moved in, they'll probably get bored.

 

You could try anti vandal paint on the top of the fence and see if that deters them.

 

When we moved into our house the rest of the estate was still a building site and kids used to run through our garden until we chased them a few times, then they moved on somewhere else to torment someone else no doubt.

 

Good luck.

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Thank you all for your kind replies. That intruder excluder looks good. Will have to talk to OH see what he thinks. Just seems a shame to have to go to such lengths to keep your pets safe in your own garden! If a child hurt themselves on it would I be liable in any way?

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Oh my goodness thats blooming awful.

 

[ I dont want to worry you but be VERY careful - i had my poorly chicken stolen in the summer out our her coop in the garden. Luckily i found her on the side of the road the next day.]

 

I m suprised youve been able to keep your cool until this point!!!!

 

I would have been outside waiting for them.

 

I would take photos of them

Ring the Police

Contact the schools in your area

 

 

I wouldnt tollerate it, infact- if anyone came on my property they'd regret it for life, if i saw them.

 

How are they getting into your garden exactly? I know they are getting over the fence, but is it out in the sticks or in a street etc?????

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Incidentally Poet the house was never un-occupied. The family before had children of a similar age. There probably would of been no problem as I expect they were friends and could come in the garden anyway. If not, they had two very big dogs...I certainly wouldn't of gone in uninvited!

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Thank you all for your kind replies. That intruder excluder looks good. Will have to talk to OH see what he thinks. Just seems a shame to have to go to such lengths to keep your pets safe in your own garden! If a child hurt themselves on it would I be liable in any way?

 

Not sure about that.

 

Maybe the police could advise.

 

Ask a Crime Prevention Officer to visit and advise. You never know, the sight of a bobby leaving your house might be enough to frighten them off.

 

If you have put a sign up saying it is there they can hardly complain if the snag their jumper on it.

 

You could smear the top of the fence with something revolting.

 

:idea: You will have plenty of chicken poo soon.

:lol:

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Incidentally Poet the house was never un-occupied. The family before had children of a similar age. There probably would of been no problem as I expect they were friends and could come in the garden anyway. If not, they had two very big dogs...I certainly wouldn't of gone in uninvited!

 

I'm not saying they have a right to be there, I was just suggesting a reason why they might have been there as we had a similar experience.

 

Well, good luck with it all then.

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I had a problem with cats using my veg beds as a loo, and eventually invested in a movement detector water jet device called a scarecrow.

 

It works really well and aimed at your back fence should encourage the little dears to go elsewhere, as the jet is rally quite a shock! I speak from experience as it has caught me a few times too :lol:

 

type in scarecrow in a search engine and you should find it. I can't remember who I bought mine from, but the thing I got is

 

This

 

I'm not sure if the link is right, but Good luck

 

Mary

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It's a real pain that you have to go through this at a time when you should be excited about getting your chooks. I'd get the intruder spikes for the top of your fence, together with some warning signs top avert any liability. Contact your local police station, who will be able to send a crime prevention officer round to your house for free. They will assess the measures you have taken and be able to give advice about other deterrents - having the police on the case will be handy to refer back to if the children are still coming in. CCTV camera signs are a good idea and cheap too.

 

Good luck GEB

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Sorry to hear about your problems, we have had unwanted visitors on the past too.

 

I once had to phone the police to report a stolen bike, they asked if it was mine and I replied no but its in my back garden,

 

I have thought about moving a few times but love my house and will not be forced out. We have CCTV now and make our home as safe as possible.

 

the girls are in a 6ft high pen (woden frame and chicken wire) with a padlock on the door, If someone was that bothered they could cut the wire but we have to get on with these things and not let them rule your life.

 

I also think you should contact the police they are very helpful and point out weak areas and advise on what to do for the best.

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I was also going to suggest the intruder excluder for the top of the fence.

 

I feel so sorry for you, how dare these stupid kids make your life a misery, its your house, your garden....where are their parents??!! :twisted::twisted:

 

Put up signs, why not get a cheap CCTV camera, you can get wireless infra red ones for less than £70 these days - it might deter them. :pray:

 

Do you have a friend/relative with an exceptionally large scary looking dog you can hire for an odd occasion? It might scare them off if it was released into the garden when you see them in it.

 

If I lived nearer I would offer to bring my GSD around and pay them a visit!! (she is harmless - but they dont know that :wink: )

 

Good luck and dont give up! Its your home. :D

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Sorry to hear of your troubles, it's so...frustrating... that your property is being invaded (well, that's how I would feel).

 

Definitely, definitely, definitely ask the local Crime Prevention Officer for advice. You will then know exactly what you can and can't do, and you will have made them aware of the problem. Keep them informed of any incidents, and keep a log.

 

Good luck

Hazel

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