Keeping neighbors’ chickens out of your yard can be challenging, especially if they have a habit of roaming around and causing damage to your garden or eating your plants. However, there are several steps you can take to prevent this from happening.
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Why You Should Keep Chickens Out of Your Yard
Chickens can be holy terrors when they wander into your yard. They can eat some of your prized plants in a short time. If not kept in check, they can scrape up your grass and poop everywhere. Here are a few problems they might cause:
- Soil compaction: Chickens scratching and foraging for food can compact soil and damage grass.
- Fencing damage: Chickens can damage fencing or dig under it to escape if not properly contained.
- Plant destruction: Chickens can damage or eat plants, flowers, and vegetables.
- Pest problems: Chickens can attract unwanted pests to your yard, such as flies and rodents.
- Manure buildup: Chickens produce manure, which can build up and create a health hazard if not properly managed.
How To Keep Neighbors Chickens Out Of Your Yard
1. Try A Fence
Installing a fence around your yard is the most effective way to keep chickens out. Choose a tall fence to prevent the chickens from jumping over it, and make sure to bury the fence a few inches underground to prevent digging.
2. Spreading Mulch
Mulch is a great way to keep chickens out of your garden as they do not like to walk on it. Spread a layer of mulch around your garden’s perimeter and individual plants to deter chickens from entering.
3. Chicken-Proof Your Garden
To prevent chickens from eating your plants, consider covering your garden with chicken wire or planting flowers and vegetables that chickens don’t like. Some examples of these plants include daffodils, marigolds, and rose bushes.
4. Train Your Dogs
If you have dogs, you can train them to bark and chase chickens away from your yard. However, make sure to supervise them at all times to prevent any accidents.
5. Communicate with Your Neighbors
If the above methods are not effective, consider talking to your neighbors about their chickens and how they can be prevented from entering your yard. Your neighbors may be able to take steps to prevent their chickens from roaming, such as keeping them in a coop or fencing their yard.
6. Hire a Professional
If you have difficulty keeping chickens out of your yard, you may want to hire a professional animal control company. They will be able to provide you with more specific advice and may even be able to catch and remove the chickens for you.
7. Can a Fake Owl Scare Chickens Away?
Yes, a fake owl can be used to scare chickens away. Chickens are often frightened by the appearance of predators, and the presence of an owl-like figure can cause them to scatter.
However, the effectiveness of this method may vary. After all, chickens are not dumb and will eventually become habituated to the presence of the fake owl and go about their business as if it’s not there.
8. Try Spraying Scents/Repellents That They Don’t Like
Chickens have a sensitive sense of smell and may be deterred by strong, pungent odors. Some scents that chickens may dislike include:
- Vinegar
- Onion
- Garlic
- Hot pepper
- Strong spices (such as cayenne pepper or cinnamon)
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
- Menthol
It’s important to note that what may deter one chicken may not have the same effect on another, as chickens have individual preferences and sensitivities. So this method may keep some birds away but not all of them.
9. Planting Bushes
Another way to keep chickens out of your yard is to plant bushes or other plants along the perimeter of your property. Chickens do not like to walk through dense vegetation, which will deter them from entering your yard.
In Conclusion
There are several steps you can take to keep neighbors’ chickens out of your yard. First, choose the best solution for you and communicate with your neighbors to ensure that their chickens are not causing a problem.
If one method doesn’t work, try another! Or try a whole bunch of methods in concert. It will probably take some experimenting to find success.
Photo by Tim Cooper on Unsplash
