Chicken Cruelty

[gb77]

Hi Everyone,
I live in a small city in NY. Last year my neighbors decided to raise backyard chickens.
It went fine for the most part. I love the hens as I do all animals. Last fall, the same neighbor bought a larger coop that was OK for 6 hens. The problem is, they haven't left the coop yet and it's been like 8-9 months. I've tried being nice. I told them I had chickens for years when I lived in the country as did friends and neighbors. I told them those chickens need out of that coop and they need out now. It's not the first time I said something to them on the matter. I even offered t buy the materials to build a new outdoor run for them. Long story short, i gave them time to fix the issue. The past two days they've sat out in their pool while the hens are in a coop with a steel roof and there's a heat advisory. The cops came and did nothing. The neighbor started screaming and said that those chickens don't need to be outside. Just yesterday she agreed with me that they do need to be out, but they haven't had the time or money to make it happen. I've never, ever heard of anyone not letting their chickens outside. The temp here is 90 today and humid, they're still in the coop. Also, no, they don't even have a fan run to the coop.
Has anyone on here ever kept their chickens only inside their coop? Can anyone tell me if I complain to the City, if they can be made to rehome the hens? I can't find anything on backyard laws except the rooster law and only having 6 hens. I can't stand knowing these beautiful birds suffer everyday.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

No that isn’t right,they need to be out,if she doesn’t have the money she shouldn’t have them.Also the oen should have been ready before the bird were even there,or atleast while they were babies.If she did good research or any at all,she should/would know they Need to be out,their more then likely going to die,my birds had all the space and were in the coop at night when the temps were going down with ventilation and still died,soemtiems they gotta learn he hard way and it sukcs for the birds.

 

[HuskerHens18]

Welcome to backyard chickens! We are glad you joined us, sorry it had to be on an unfortunate situation.
I really don't know if the city will do anything, it can be worth a try to attempt and save the chicken's lives.
Would your neighbor accept friendly advice on how to better keep the chickens cool in hot coop? Such as frozen fruits and veggies, constant fresh water, and frozen water bottles they can lay against.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I would be more inclined to call Animal Control rather than the police, because animal cruelty is animal cruelty, no matter what the animal.

We also have this forum: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/local-chicken-laws-ordinances.37/

Do a bit of research there as well.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

PS. I have NEVER heard of chickens being COOPED UP 24/7. They need some sort of outside access, whether it be free ranging or in a run.

 

[gb77]

No that isn’t right,they need to be out,if she doesn’t have the money she shouldn’t have them.Also the oen should have been ready before the bird were even there,or atleast while they were babies.If she did good research or any at all,she should/would know they Need to be out,their more then likely going to die,my birds had all the space and were in the coop at night when the temps were going down with ventilation and still died,soemtiems they gotta learn he hard way and it sukcs for the birds.

Thank you for your response. 4 already died and I can't get law to help me. I don't know what else to do. I see that coop every day and I can't take it much longer. I was hoping someone would know , if I went o City Hall to complain, would they have to rehome the hens.

 

[The Moonshiner]

You're not giving enough information to know.
So I assume you're saying they have 6 hens? How big is this coop exactly? How well is it ventilated? Etc, etc.
Sounds bad but they've been in there for months on end and aren't dead yet so hard to say.
In my opinion its cruel to keep chickens in any of the prefab coops that come in a box from TSC and such but tons of people do it.
Really had to make a call with info we have.

 

[redranger209]

You're not giving enough information to know.
So I assume you're saying they have 6 hens? How big is this coop exactly? How well is it ventilated? Etc, etc.
Sounds bad but they've been in there for months on end and aren't dead yet so hard to say.
In my opinion its cruel to keep chickens in any of the prefab coops that come in a box from TSC and such but tons of people do it.
Really had to make a call with info we have.

Hey, they’re not all bad. My chickens have an extended run past the one included one. My birds are all healthy and happy.

 

[lazy gardener]

Call your local humane society. How do you know that 4 have died already?

 

[JedJackson]

Industrial chickens are kept inside 24/7, but they usually have fans and probably temperature control. For a backyard flock it is very unusual to keep them inside a coop all the time, unless it has wire on one side to get air flow.

Honestly, I think you are in a no win situation. No one you call is likely to do anything, even animal control, because it doesn't sound like there are have too many chickens or that they are in conditions that are too terrible or a threat to public health.

It may be difficult to take, but my advice is to leave the situation be. The neighbors are likely to dig in their heels and be even more stubborn if you keep offering advice, good though it may be. You do not want a war with these people.