Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[EmmaJC]

I'm a bit cross about having to ask this question, but does anyone else have problems with people coming into their gardens when they're at work?

 

For the last few weeks I've come home to find the chickens are on the loose in the garden, they have a huge penned off area away from my veg plots and the tomatoes which of course have now been trashed. At first I thought it may be my cleaner but now it's happening on days when she's not around. All I can think is that it's children from the area.

 

I'm so cross about it, I've worked so hard to get my garden nice and balance it between chicken areas and non-chicken areas and now someone is coming onto my property, I presume to play with the chickens and letting them out to eat and trash everything. Worse still, we've got a hole cut into the gate to allow passage for our elderly cats, it's only a matter of time before they spot the escape route and go walkabouts.

 

For now I'm locking the gate from the inside but I'm so cross about it, I cannot believe someone is coming into my property! I'd imagine after the first time they'd realise they couldn't get the chickens back into the run, but it's been 5 times over the last few weeks now. Has anyone else had a problem with children doing this before?

[karena]

That's awful!

 

As far as I know I don't have that problem, and any one of my neighbours could easily access my garden as we share an access road, and there are missing fences, and kids up and and down, yet in 10 years I have never known anyone go into my garden uninvited!

[Patricia W]

Worth getting a cheapo CCTV kit and setting it up?

 

 

Tricia

[Redwing]

I know its an obvious question but is there a chance that the chickens are using something as a platform to jump out of the run?

 

If the gate to the pen is open could they be getting that open somehow? maybe a bungee cord or something is needed to hold it shut?

[Gelbel]

I don't have this problem Emma but if I did (assuming you've checked out possible self-escaping chooks as per Redwings suggestion) - I would put up a sign PDQ to say no trespassing or trespassers will be prosecuted. A simple please close the gate notice did the trick when the neighbour's kids were collecting footballs they kicked over - sometimes people just don't think.

 

I'd also get some of that dye stuff put on the fence so the culprits have highly coloured hands that can only be cleaned with the special remover.

[Redwing]

Good idea re the tresspasser sign Gelbel, maybe also consider a CCTV sign even if you have none - if its kids they should be sufficiently scared by this

[majuka]

I would hope that somehow your chickens are getting out themselves. It would be very sad indeed if someone was purposely letting them out. I would be really concerned about them getting out of your garden or getting attacked by a fox if they are out by themselves all day.

 

We have a totally enclosed garden and I think that people would struggle to get in but we also have padlocks on our run. They are not particularily large and could be cut by bolt croppers but, pre chicken, I remember reading somewhere that foxes could work out how to undo catches which was why we added them. They would stop kids getting in. Is there any way that you can lock the run?

[Roobaloo]

I caught a kid climbing on our garden gate a few weeks ago. It's a 6ft gate!! The kid had put their bike up against the fence and was lifting up on the gate itself to see the chickens.

 

It was sheer luck that I was actually in the WIR at the time (it's got two solid walls so they couldn't see me) and I heard their conversation about the chickens and having a looking at them, so it sounds like they've done it before. So when the face appeared over the top, there I was stood...looking furious.

 

The problem is that it's so difficult to stop them...we've had issues with kids climbing into the horses field to play!! Putting themselves and the horses at risk. The problem with trespassers is that you cannot physically remove them. You can call the Police but they cannot physically remove them either - it's not a legal issue unless they cause damage, it's civil!! If they do cause damage, then you have to prove they did it.

 

Get a sign - "Private property - No access. No trespassing, CCTV in operation". Then unfortunately you'll probably need to put a lock on the gate.

 

We have a yale lock on our gate but we may have to resort to these:

They're small plastic spikes, designed to keep animals and people from climbing over fences....usually blunt ended so they won't break skin but mean you can't put any weight on them comfortably!!

[EmmaJC]

Many thanks for the help from everyone! I'm sure it's not the chickens jumping over, the gate to their run is a heavy wooden one and it is being left propped wide open. I know it's not me being daft, I leave the house through the back every day and I'm sure I'd notice if the ladies were under my feet treat begging

 

My other half went out today to buy a lock for the gate to their run, which is a shame and it's going to be a pain in the backside just going out to feed them and lock them in at night but I can't see what else to do.

 

The worst thing is, I'd left my washing out on the line yesterday and there were several sets of, erm, rather risque undergarments on the line. Sigh.

[whoopsie]

Having recently had my hens deliberately let out to be killed by a neighbours child, I can understand your anger and frustration. I have padlocked everything and used combination locks which cannot be cut. The police were really nice and this was what they advised me to do.

 

I hate that I have to live like this. It is MY home.

[EmmaJC]

That's awful Whoopsie! Why would anyone be that mindlessly cruel?

[Auntie FiFi]

What a nightmare! If it's any consolation, it's the end of the school holidays soon, so if it is children coming in, they will not have as much free time in a week or so. Good luck x

[chickyhazel]

I can't believe anyone would just waltz into someone elses garden and just let out the chickens. Why on earth would someone want to?

[EmmaJC]

I can't believe anyone would just waltz into someone elses garden and just let out the chickens. Why on earth would someone want to?

 

All I can think is that they want to play with them, but if they just knocked at the door I'd let them go see them quite happily!

 

I think I've identified the culprits anyway, I saw them hanging around my driveway last night. They shot off when my car pulled in. I'm not sure how to deal with the parents though or if to even bother, no-one likes to be told their kids are trespassing do they?

[karena]

I can't believe anyone would just waltz into someone elses garden and just let out the chickens. Why on earth would someone want to?

 

All I can think is that they want to play with them, but if they just knocked at the door I'd let them go see them quite happily!

 

I think I've identified the culprits anyway, I saw them hanging around my driveway last night. They shot off when my car pulled in. I'm not sure how to deal with the parents though or if to even bother, no-one likes to be told their kids are trespassing do they?

 

I was thinking about this one earlier, and how nice it would be to encourage their interest rather than tell them off. Of course I know life isn't always like that. But if you would be happy for them to see them, maybe you could speak to the parents (personally I think parents would want to know if their kids had been causing problems, but obviously it depends) and offer for the kids to see them? Then they could see what they are interested in, and you can explain what you need to do to care for them including the problems if they are let out. Obviously you're the one who can read the situation way better to know whether that is at all appropriate but just a thought.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Although I'd be fuming and wanting to rant at them, perhaps the way to go is to leave a friendly note attached to the gate saying you'd be happy to let them see the hens when you're home? Explain that they aren't safe if they're let out when you're not there - perhaps they haven't even thought that through .

 

Obviously they shouldn't be doing it in the first place, but perhaps if you take the wind out of their sails, they'll either slink off or be keen to see your girls with your blessing.

[Mollie333]

Hi

 

I have two little girls (my dad knows there parents) Millie and Gracie, they are welcome to knock at my door then come round to the garden with me, when I'm not in, they don't go round to the garden.

 

But i came back one night from a friends house and found feed bins knocked over, walk in run door open, Blanche in with Effy and the chicks, coop doors shut, chickens looking terrified, some still inside the run, some out.

 

I was so angry, as we have night and day time foxes, and young birds that wouldn't go back in. I had a word with Millie and Gracie's mum and she said that they didn't go out. Then i remembered a few weeks ago some older girl, a bit younger than me, I'd say about 12 years old calling her because she helps me with the chickens.

 

Asked her if she'd been on my garden, she denied it, i then was certain she was lying so i said 'i saw you on my CCTV' (which i haven't got) and she begged me not to tell her parents.

 

We now have a combination lock, because we have no fences. Might put up a CCTV sign there, too.

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

We had to raise the back fence as kids were climbing up the tree and looking in etc it seems to have worked.

[whoopsie]

That's awful Whoopsie! Why would anyone be that mindlessly cruel?

 

He wanted to kill them. He said so to another child who was with him, and this one came to tell me (well, was dragged round to my house by the rest of the kids in the street when they found out). The same child has been heard to threaten my neighbour's hens too.

 

Most children are wonderful human beings and are indeed just interested in the hens -this is fine and I encourage their interest, but I advise caution.

[Mollie333]

That's awful Whoopsie! Why would anyone be that mindlessly cruel?

 

He wanted to kill them.

 

That is sick.

[Patricia W]

Whoopsie

That is worrying. Children who are cruel to animals often go on to be violent to people as adults. It may simply be bravado, but I'd have a word with the parents - or if they are the type who don't care, maybe the community support officer.

 

Tricia

[whoopsie]

I am well aware of that Patricia but the family is violent and I was advised to stay well clear by the Police, who have asked for ANY further issued to be reported. I think there is a case building against them.

 

My new hens will be living at my boyfriend's house, not here. I'll be following them eventually.

[majuka]

I have just read in my local paper about a lady who was having similar problems with her hens being let out and the eggs stolen. One of her hens, 10 years old, was taken from her garden and was found a short way from her house surrounded by stones, which they presume were used to kill the poor girl

[whoopsie]

Wow a 10 year old hen.

[majuka]

Wow a 10 year old hen.

 

Yes, I thought that was old but I'm used to ex-batts so I don't know about other hens. It was a very sad ending for her, however old she was.