[buzz]

Hi, i have 5 chickens that I've had for nearly a year with no problems but my neighbour has recently got a rooster that visits almost constantly and they seem to have mainly stopped laying since his arrival, I've been told this shouldn't be the cause of the non-laying but it seems to coincide ! I free range my chickens but as 2 of my neighbours now have chickens I'm thinking of fencing them in a bit as I don't want them annoying anyone and they have taken to following the rooster everywhere ! I was just wondering if someone could advise me on 'chicken etiquette' and whether they think fencing them in is necessary and what effect the roosters visits may have ? Any advice would be great !

Thanks !

[Aunt Sally]

Do you mean you keep them on an allotment site and allow them to range on other peoples plots ?

I wouldn't be pleased to have other peoples hens eating my veg 

[danmegal]

Would it not be the roosters owners responsibility to stop him from wondering if that is the problem. Seems a shame to pen up yours if otherwise happy!

[buzz]

Hi, sorry didn't explain myself very well, I have a small piece of land not far from my house I share with other people, some grow veg (all protected by chicken wire) and some keep chickens or goats (goats are penned in !), I have explained the problem to the roosters owner but she wants to keep him free range and is happy her chickens are laying ok. 

[danmegal]

Do all the hens free range together then? are they not separated at all?

[joyfull]

If they are all free ranging together then you will have no control over the spread of illness etc, if this si the case for their own health I would keep mine seperate.

[buzz]

Hi, yes, they pretty much free range together, obviously we have different houses and they all end up back at the right house at night !

[Aunt Sally]

I'd have a good look around as see if they are laying somewhere else either in a quite place in the field or in another hen house (possibly the roosters). 

If you can't find them sit and have a nice peaceful morning watching them you might see where they go to lay.