My neighbor lets her chickens free range my yard constantly?

[Double Yolked]

I moved into my house a year ago, and this neighbor (we'll call her "Jane") moved in just months after, next door. I live on an acre and a half, and all of my chickens are secured in their run with wire of the top. I do this to protect them from predators, and from just wandering.


Jane's coop is obscured behind her house, while mine is visible from the road (my yard doesn't have many trees), so my concern is always that the chicken-less neighbors will think these are my chickens doing this, and call the county on me.


Any suggestions? I'm very confident just telling her to keep her chickens contained will not be well received at all.

Some folks are bad neighbors, no matter what and there is little you can say to them that will sink in unfortunately.
Is your yard fenced? A small dog, especially something like a Yorkie or other varmint chasing breed, in a fenced yard will gleefully keep your property free-ranging chicken free.

I own both chickens and Yorkie. Chickens have learned to stay the heck out of my "no chickens allowed" fenced side yard since Dee Dee started patrolling it.

Rescue a Yorkie mix, (they make great companions and are fun, smart, loyal, little dogs that don't shed) teach it chicken patrolling and the neighbor will not be able to complain as long as your dog is kept inside your fenced yard.

I live in the country and even if someone complained to the county here they would just shrug and say "Not against the law". So I can't advise on that one.

 

[Iluveggers]

I think you should definitely talk to her about the problem and be honest.
1. Her chickens are destroying your landscaping
2. Her chickens caused an accident
3. You are worried that someone will complain about her chickens and roo and then you will have to get rid of yours.

I also think you should make sure your surrounding neighbors know that the chickens wandering are not yours so you don’t get blamed.

If she seems indifferent, you can report her, or catch her chickens and turn them in to animal control.

I would think about temporarily getting your flock into the town compliance. I would be worried someone will complain about her and realize you have too many and a roo. If the town gets complaints they may change their chicken laws. She’s moving, so it will only hurt you in the long run.

If you really don’t want to talk to her, I would catch her chickens and give them to animal control so at least no one can call and complain and have them inspect you in the process.

What a terrible situation. I’m so sorry.

 

[Doctor L]

I moved into my house a year ago, and this neighbor (we'll call her "Jane") moved in just months after, next door. I live on an acre and a half, and all of my chickens are secured in their run with wire of the top. I do this to protect them from predators, and from just wandering.

Jane got her chickens in April. She has no top over her run, and only maybe 4 foot high livestock fence. She also got about 6 times the amount of chickens allowed for their property (I don't care, but I don't think anyone is fooled when 25 chickens walk down the street, that a quantity like that is forbidden). For awhile everything was fine, but starting last summer, her chickens took up the habit of every single day, they come to my front yard, or go across the street, into the yards of the neighbors who don't have chickens.

Jane's coop is obscured behind her house, while mine is visible from the road (my yard doesn't have many trees), so my concern is always that the chicken-less neighbors will think these are my chickens doing this, and call the county on me.

She then got a rooster. The rooster comes down to my front yard, and the neighbors front yards, and crows in my yard and theirs. I work from home, and give a lot of presentations to clients for my job. Having her rooster crowing in front of my window 10 feet away doesn't work. Additionally, I have my own rooster, contained in my chicken run at the back of my property--I worry that when neighbors hear/see Jane's chickens cruising by and her rooster crowing and annoying them on their windowsill, they will think it's mine, and call the county on us both. You aren't really allowed to have roosters, it's a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of thing. I also take all my neighbors adjacent me dozens of eggs every year, for tolerating my rooster. Jane does nothing for them. And I'm worried the day the call comes, the county will come and make us BOTH get rid of all our extra chickens and rooster.

Last month, her chickens ran out in front of a neighbor's car, causing her to swerve and strike the mailboxes, and the neighbor had to buy a new mailbox over it. The chickens current hobby is spending about 1/3 of their day each day in the mulch that landscapes the exterior of my house--they have completely destroyed it, and ripped down to the liner, and now I need to go buy more mulch and fix this. Additionally, her chickens have become a good food source for predators--there are now extra foxes, hawks and raccoons that hang out around the premises because of her valiant predator feeding efforts. When chickens disappear, she just buys more.

Jane texts me chicken questions, and we previously had good rapport, but I'm so angry over this I don't speak to her anymore. Additionally, they just bought land and are building a farm, so a year from now, they can move away and this won't be an issue. I'll still be here, and if my chickens have been taken away by the county, I'll still have problems.

Any suggestions? I'm very confident just telling her to keep her chickens contained will not be well received at all.

Maybe I’m just getting old, but when I was young, we all knew our neighbors and got along, like extended family, without invading anyone’s privacy… Maybe you can get to know your neighbors better. Knock on some doors and say, “Hello”. Then they’ll know who’s chickens are who’s, and then they’ll be no need to get the county government involved. Maybe organize a neighborhood BBQ, or host a garage sale or something…

 

[Lilbitsnpieces]

I believe Banana01 is right on the money..your neighbor "Jane" probably had good intentions, esp. With the awesome example you have set for her.
Culling is not easy, especially the first time. Not to mention the mental process of taking a life. It can be very overwhelming for the most "seasoned" of us. These times we are in are stressful and perhaps she is "ignoring" the behavior because again she is overwhelmed..thus the allowing of predators to "manage" her flock..Perhaps her other half puts it all on her, maybe she has a sick family member or abusive situation. You see, we NEVER realky know whats others indure.
Offer to help..whether its culling, fixing, educating or building. Thats a good neighbor. Then if all else fails..make sure you are clear that legal means will be persued..

 

[McChooky]

Sorry I wouldn't recommend leaving a Yorkie outdoors to guard your yard unless you're looking to lose it. They've been on the list of most stolen dogs for years because they're so expensive. Coyotes will also kill a cat or dog either one .

 

[possumblossum]

First of all, Thank you for using this forum to vent your frustration. It's always better to get the emotion off your chest by talking to other chicken folk before you begin to conquest. I would recommend you have a conversation with the other affected neighbors only. As you stated, Jane is hopefully going to be out of the picture soon, but your relationship with the others will endure. Apologize as a poultry owner and show empathy for any frustration they may be feeling toward all of us. Inform them of your present set up and let them know you're concerned about Jane's management affecting your relationship with the neighborhood you respect.

Use the feedback you receive to direct your next action. Only act unilaterally toward Jane if it's clear you're about to face direct adversity...for instance, if a neighbor has already moved to have stricter restriction placed on the whole community. At that point, preserving your flock demands immediate, direct, and frank intervention. Otherwise, the problem needs to be addressed by the community. You may be the spokesperson, but you're acting as a representative. No one should go alone and make sure whoever goes speaks with both Jane and her husband at the same time.

The goals are always to represent agriculture at-large in a favorable and neighborly fashion and to reconcile Jane and her family into the community peaceably.

 

[CNJ]

Plant potatoes near the property line.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Or just leave potatoes all over.

 

[NatJ]

Plant potatoes near the property line.

Or just leave potatoes all over.

I don't understand this. Why potatoes?

 

[Iluveggers]

I don't understand this. Why potatoes?

They’re poison to chickens. (uncooked skin & plant leaves)