I'm not sure what your local laws are, but where I come from, this person's chickens would be considered a public nuisance since he seems unable or unwilling to keep them in his yard. Sure, we've all had to run down the road from time to time to extract an intrepid hen from a neighbor's compost pile or garden, but that should be the exception. You have done your neighborly duty by returning them. Now that they are back, they are yours, I'd say. Unless they are banded, nicked, or the guy has pictures of himself with them, who really knows whose chickens they are?
Have you made a call to your local Humane Society? If the chickens have frostbite they aren't being provided with adequate shelter (if any). The people may very well have other animals at their house that aren't being cared for either, and perhaps they need a pop-in visit from the county cruelty officer.
Amy
Have you made a call to your local Humane Society? If the chickens have frostbite they aren't being provided with adequate shelter (if any). The people may very well have other animals at their house that aren't being cared for either, and perhaps they need a pop-in visit from the county cruelty officer.
Amy