I'm not quite sure where to post this- I can't find an appropriate catagory. I'm going to post it in a few places and see what information I can get. Let me explain...

I live outside the city limits, in a rural country area. I also live next door to my father in-law, who owns many chickens and roosters. They do not live in a coop or a pen, they are living loose in the yard, sleeping in the trees in his yard. I don't mind him having chickens, if that's what he chooses to do, but but I have a huge problem that the chickens run around everywhere and are free to roam and poop in his yard and mine. I have 3 children who regularly walk next door to visit their grandfather, and I am sure they are walking back into our home with chicken feces on their shoes and feet. I have mentioned my discomfort with the chickens, but they are still here. Out of respect for my husband and in order to try to keep on decent terms with the in-laws next door, I haven't made the gigantic deal out of it that I want to. Because we live out of the city limits, there are no city ordinances that I can refer to or try to enforce.

My father in-law loves our children, and I know he wouldn't purposely do anything to harm them. But I don't think he has considered the health hazards of chicken feces in both our homes, in our carpet, and everywhere else. If I could bring him information from medical professionals, not just a complaining daughter in-law, I might could get him to at least put them in a coop or a pen. My last resort is to move. I would hate to take that time away that my children get to spend with their grandfather, but I am so bugged by these chickens that I will move if I can't get something changed.

I have searched on the web, and I just can't find what I am looking for. I am hoping to find some research or some health data that tells that having chickens living free in the yard can be harmful to our health. Maybe I am over-reacting, and maybe there really isn't a danger, but I can't help but think there is. Could anyone point me to a source or send me a link to anything that gives information to support my theory? I don't want to go to him with just, "I don't like your chickens." I want to have some real, true information to back me up. Any information someone could get me would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks more than you know!
Vivian