Neighbor's Chickens Trying to Join My Flock

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

I'm having an issue with my neighbors flock storming my run and eating like they're starving whenever I let my girls out to supervise free range. It wasn't always like this: a few of the neighbor's hens who were always getting bullied would come down and snack/hang out (I also saved one from near-death from a turkey attack). But in the last few weeks, they suddenly started acting ravenous and would wipe out my flock's supplies in no time.

Well, last week we were tasked with watching their chickens while they were out of town. The first time we were to check on them was an evening; and we were horrified to see they had no feed left. But upon alerting the neighbors, they said they only give them two cups in the morning and that's it because they want them to free range for their food. The sad thing is, before we found out they were getting rationed, we filled their feeder up and they all ate it like they were starving. So, I think the reason some of the lower rung girls from their flock are desperately clamoring into mine for feed and clean water is because they probably aren't even getting any. And when I say desperate: they will dart in under my feet any chance they get, attack the feeder to the degree that it's swinging all over, and keep eating even if my girls start attacking them. This is new behavior. I hate kicking them out, but I have to sometimes.

I'm in a tough spot. I've bonded with these girls and I don't want them to be starving, but I also can't afford double the feed for them, nor is my run reliably open access. It's also impossible for me to keep them out all the time when I supervise free range because my girls like to come and go. Some of the neighbors hens even run in there and lay eggs now!

So, I want to tactfully tell the neighbors that I think they may need to up their girls' feed rations, but I'm worried about coming off judgy, and these neighbors pride themselves on raising a 'tough' flock (the girls' coop is a a large shed with no ventilation, and their water buckets have algae growing in them--they also used to pen them in with turkeys until one of their girls nearly got killed, but luckily ran down to my run where I found her). I feel bad and want to help them but realize it's not my place. What's the best way to handle this?

I should also note that we have a good relationship with said neighbors, just very different approaches to chicken-keeping. They are busy and hands-off, and we work from home, are always the ones to watch them when they are (frequently) away, and otherwise are always swarmed by their chickens and the ones to discover issues.

 

[Brooks_]

Two options: 1. Leave food and fresh water where they can get it. 2. Call/report animal control.

 

[3KillerBs]

I think that an anonymous call to Animal Control is appropriate.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Thank you @BrooksHatlen and @3KillerBs for the advice. I'd first like to try and reason with them tactfully--I do believe if they truly know their hens are starving they wouldn't want that (they just are skeptical of my advice, like they were about ventilation lol). I think they believe chickens are tougher than they are--and they ARE tough, but they do need basics. When I went to close up my run I had to carry some of their chickens out, and some have really prominent keel bones I'm wondering if worms are also a problem.

I have been giving them some feed to supplement but we've been running through it like crazy now--they REALLY EAT. I also always leave water out. I'm not sure how my husband would feel about feeding them regularly because we may end up with all 12 of them and the turkeys down here on our much smaller property, but that's something I've been quietly thinking about. Let me know if you have any ideas on tactful breaching of the topic.

Thanks again for responding!

 

[Brooks_]

I image treat it like you're dealing with cops. Polite but firm.

 

[Brooks_]

And it will take extra-extra feed to get their body mass back up.

 

[Chickstarrs]

I would approach the neighbours before going to any authority, since you say you have a good relationship with them, otherwise, you will likely loose that friendship and those chickens may end up worse off. If they are skeptical about your claims on food and ventilation, refer them to a good article like some that are on this forum. Maybe video tape their chickens going crazy for your food. Have them feel the keel on their chickens compared to yours. Emphasize that you don't want to interfere but are worried about their chickens' health. Good luck.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Yes talk with them before you go the authorities.

 

[chickentrains]

That is neglect. Call animal control.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

I would approach the neighbours before going to any authority, since you say you have a good relationship with them, otherwise, you will likely loose that friendship and those chickens may end up worse off. If they are skeptical about your claims on food and ventilation, refer them to a good article like some that are on this forum. Maybe video tape their chickens going crazy for your food. Have them feel the keel on their chickens compared to yours. Emphasize that you don't want to interfere but are worried about their chickens' health. Good luck.

Thank you. That's the plan. I just hope they don't take it as an assault on their pride. I'd tried the whole "believe me, I've learned this the hard way" humble approach (which is an honest one--i've learned what I have through others and my own mistakes) and the one where I send detailed articles from BYC, like on ventilation, and they kinda smile and nod and ignore it. But I will give it a go. If this doesn't work I will likely be a sucker buying double my feed so I can help them, because I don't know that I could call animal control. Beyond this, we have a great relationship and I care about them. They just have "toughen up" (or lackadaisical) attitude about their birds.