In what manner are these chickens kept? In what way are you thinking of accessing them. There is going to be a great deal of difference getting close to free run birds as getting close to those in a pen. Also, you need to consider the environment. How clean is it? Chickens and other fowl can carry parasites and diseases. Again, how big an operation is this neighbour's chicken operation? Is it just a few birds in a back yard or a larger pen or run? How often is the area cleaned out. You've really got to consider all this before making a decision to get close to these birds.

Now, if these are backyard chickens they will be more like pets as they'd be used to people - but don't forget to consider how clean their stalls and coops are before touching them.

I lived on a hobby farm with all sorts of different fowl. We regularly cleaned the coops and the animals were healthy. Some of these chickens would sit in my lap and allow me to pet them like a dog.