Unsecure chicken perches

[EmmaJC]

I've had an ongoing problem with someone coming in my garden and letting the chickens out, I imagine they want to play with them as they're never harmed but they seem unable to get them back in the run!

 

It's been a while since our last garden visitor however so we've got out of the habit of checking chicken numbers in the dark winter nights as they're in bed before we get home. Last night we didn't notice that one of them had been let out and locked up. Since the death of Nigella, the other two girls have been very quiet and not calling in the morning as they used to, but this morning we were awoken by the calling of a chicken. When we realised one was missing a garden search was launched, but the missing girl was not located. Clarissa meanwhile was calling and calling for Jennifer, clearly devastated.

 

Having given Jennifer up as fox food, we returned to the house only to hear the distant calls of a chicken some 10 minutes later, clearly in response to Clarissa. Being the only chicken keepers in the area we knew it must be Jennifer and rushed outside to see her striding up the driveway, Clarissa rushing along next to us, so happy to see her.

 

Whilst I'm furious that someone has put my girls at risk, I found it so heartwarming that Clarissa and Jennifer were calling for each other, and that Jennifer found her way home to be with Clarissa. Awwwwww.

[Jools]

Oh My Goodness! Lucky girl!! You must be so relieved.

 

I don't suppose you know who's letting them out do you? If not, maybe you could leave them a letter explaining why it's dangerous for your chickens to be let out like that? Is there anyway of securing the run or garden against the mini-intruders?

 

As if there wasn't enough to worry about!

[jennydavies]

I would be frantic with worry if someone unknown was interfering with our girls - poor you, I feel really sorry for your predicament ! If at all possible, I would put some serious kit to stop the intruder. If it is a local kid just wanting to play, they have to learn manners and that involves asking the owner first. Would they go and put their head in a Rottweilers mouth before asking the owner ??? Is it possible to lock your girls run or your garden ?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

What sweet girlies you have . Love the idea they were looking for each other .

 

Hope you can stop the kids doing what they're doing . If they want to "play" with the chickens surely they could do it with your permission .

[Egluntyne]

I think I'd be calling the police re the trespassing on your property, and the meddling with your hens.

[soapdragon]

I must say that I agree totally with Egluntyne - this is NOT funny but VERY serious and those responsible should realise this whatever age they are!

 

We bought our girls as pets (eggs are lovely but a bonus) so that the boys would have some responsibility (our 6 year old adores letting them into the run each morning and checking for eggs although he is somewhat terrorised by our bully girl, Casserole!) Chickens are perfect for children and even better for parents (no walking in all weathers etc!) Good luck with the situation, however you proceed - you obviously have some very clever girls!

Korma

Casserole (suffers from irritable fowl syndrome)

Kiev

[madchickenlady]

Goodness. I'd be furious if someone was letting themselves on to my property and letting my girls out. In fact, I have padlocked my side gate and my run to minimise human meddling Perhaps you can secure your garden?

[txswanie]

Can you set up a camera? I have a night vision monitor pointed at my coop but it doesn't record. I suppose you do get ones that record, no idea of price though. People are so rude and thoughtless these days. Sorry for your trouble.

[Gelbel]

I'd do five things in this order:

 

1 - speak with the police re trespassing

2 - secure your girls

3 - secure the access point to your garden (but this SO annoys me as it's a potential escape route for you in an emergency)

4 - put some of that stays on your hands stuff on the access so the little darlings' have something to explain to their parents

5 - put a note up saying to go away.......or words to that effect

 

Good luck.

[EmmaJC]

Thank you all for the advice. Annoyingly, we had got into the habit of locking the back gate to stop the visitors, but we'd left it unlocked that day because the cleaner uses the back door to get in.

 

We've taken to locking the gate again for now and asking the cleaner to use the front. I'll be keeping an eye out though, I'll be on Maternity leave over the summer so I'll be able to catch them in the act!

 

(Is it also too soon as a first time mother to be uttering things like "my kids will never do such a thing!" when the baby isn't born yet? )

[Bramble]

I know it's absolutely NOT the point, but to put your mind at rest when you are not at home, could you put a padlock on your run door? I'd even be tempted to put a notice on the door saying why you have done it, in the hope that it makes the guilty party think about what they're doing. So sorry to read you are having this problem, it must be awful.

[kevf1]

orpossibly even a note to say if you would like to see the chickens please knock and your more than welcome.. you never know you may be able to educate some of the young ruffians..

[Mollie333]

I have had some 'visitors' myself. I have little girls coming everyday in summer/spring. First of all they would watch and see if we was in, and then go into the garden (all chooks free ranged then). A neighbour said that they soon went, a 25lb turkey hen came bolting towards them + up the road!

 

The next day they came down the drive, I was outside, and they asked 'why did the eagle chase me? ' I then had to explain that she is infact a turkey, and only wanted a stroke. And from that day, i have little children in the garden and in the run, helping me clean them out, do food and water, and cuddle them. A few even cried when i told them that the turkey had died.

 

I really don't mind, as it stops them from getting into trouble, and them seem to enjoy helping me. And i enjoy teaching them about hens. In the summer the parents even buy eggs. If we have any. Little bantam ones are the most wanted!