Neighbours’ chickens pecking my ankles in garden

[NotJackieWeaver]

Hello chicken-keepers.

I welcomed my neighbours’ chickens when they arrived last year but the neighbours decided to make only half-hearted efforts at containing them.

By the end of last summer I had fallen out of love with them because they kept pecking my ankles. I couldn’t really relax in the garden because of the pecking and the neighbours kept walking into the garden to recapture them.....

Right now they are under cover so it’s fine but I don’t know what to say in the spring.

The neighbours are ok-ish but they are a bit selfish. Actually very....

What to say in spring?

“Build a better fence/ wall to keep them out my garden, please”

Our chicken run away if they see a broom or a towel/blanket being thrown. Maybe try if you can scare them away? If not it sounds like you need a fence.

Thanks Felicity - you’re a chicken keeper I take it?

Don't wait till spring. Ask them to take advantage of the winter months to fix the fence.

In alternative,

• buy a cat/dog
• start looking for chicken recipes , pollo all cacciatora is a nice one to start with.

I think they will have to be fenced off now for ages due to bird flu

@NotJackieWeaver

Thanks Felicity - you’re a chicken keeper I take it?

No? I meant that’s what YOU need to say to your neighbours!

I think I'd be more annoyed by the neighbours wandering into my garden to retrieve their chickens.

Can't you get some cheap fencing up?

Make them a cosy straw corner... They may leave you alone and concentrate on leaving you some eggs!!

Santiago- I don’t mind doing that. I could say to neighbours I will try that but if that fails then they need to contain them.

Escaped chickens once a month is fun but it was every day by August/Sept and you never knew when neighbour might March in to get them. I’d had enough.

*disclaimer : I'm not a chicken keeper

Smiley I have a hedge ( they are actually next door but one - the intermediate garden is communal for some flats)

I won’t spend money on fencing and won’t rip up my hedge. I shouldn’t have to

Aren't they at risk of fixes if they're wandering around aimlessly?

What's stopping you putting a fence up?

Lol cosy straw corner :)

They did once lay me eggs it was really cute :)

They need better fences and it's their responsibility. I would tell them, politely, now.

*foxes!

Smiley it’s out of the question - it’s their job to contain their livestock.
Good grief I’ve been supine enough already!

I would be asking them if they’re aware that their birds should be under cover right now.
www.bhwt.org.uk/avian-influenza/

We’re already in one pandemic. Could do without starting another.

Thanks star are you a chicken person?

Yabu not to appreciate amazing chickens trying to befriend you op!!

All poultry is currently required to be securely housed in covered structures due to avian flu, tell your neighbours their chickens need to be inside.

Sorry yes right now they are undercover

Well, they are under netting, but I’m not going to get involved with that

If it's a rental with a communal area being invaded by the chickens you could put in a complaint with the landlord/housing association? Nuisance chickens?

Snowy I did befriend them but the pecking of the ankles genuinely hurts and I couldn’t sit on the grass.

So just grow a spine and talk to them. Tell them not to let their chickens escape.