Rogue Chickens

helenut

About 4 weeks ago I came across some chickens in our garden, about 6 of them. I ignored them and hoped someone might claim them as I know a few doors down have chickens.
No one came round and they kept reappearing every morning in our garden but then disappearing. I knocked on the house who have chickens and no one answered - in fact I've lived here a year now and have never ever seen who lives there whereas I know everyone else on our row of terraces.
Anyway 4 weeks later and this is still ongoing however there are only 2 chickens now. I've seen them in every neighbouring garden to ours too and no one seems to have claimed them.
I know nothing about chickens but the two of them have dug out holes in some mud in our garden and like to sit in their holes.

Can they live this long without someone looking after them? I feel really bad for them but don't know what to do?? I've thought about keeping them but it seems like stealing? Is it common for chickens to wander this much or do they really have no home?

I threw them some hulled sunflower seeds the other day which they gobbled happily. They are pretty friendly and can be stroked so they must have been owned by someone??

ljonski

There is a lot to this.
Firstly you need to at least drop a note into the house where they may have come from and explain them the situation,.
Are there chickens in that houses' garden at the moment?
Have you thought about printing a poster to put on a lampost?

Are they hens and not cockerels?
Do they look malnourished?
Have you any idea where they sleep?

What area you in ?
Maybe post on facebook page of http://www.littlehenrescue.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx
or similar ?

ljonski

https://www.facebook.com/BritishHenWelfareTrust

ljonski

if you can boil and mash a lot of edible kitchen waste, then they would be very grateful. if at the end of the day , they don't have somewhere safe to sleep, then they will be taken by a fox!

moggymutt

Sadly having nowhere safe to go at night will be why there's only 2 of them now.

smokey_dave

Get a good strong cardboard box, put them in it and take them to the RSPCA or nearest animal shelter.

Try to do it soon or else they will be eaten by a fox, dog, or other animal.

meritaten

so give them shelter - put a note through the door of the house where you knew chickens were being kept, that you think you have some 'escapees' and will try to keep them safe until they can be collected. it could be that the people have moved out and left the poor chickens to their own devices. they are probably scavenging your garden for nice titbits - but each night they are out they are really AT RISK!

helenut

Thanks for the replies, they are in the garden now and look in reasonable condition. I'll try some of those links posted and see if anyone wants to take them.
I think the neighbours are a lost cause anyway, they had their dogs taken away previously by rspca for some reason (I don't know the full story).