Cantankerous neighbor

[kristaschics15]

Wow autocorrect really did a number on that post. I hope you can read it and understand what I meant because I have never been able to successfully edit a post.

 

[lazy gardener]

You can also make a temporary run with wire fencing with the 2 x 4 holes. The posts are upside down T structures with a 45* brace at the back side of the T. The upside down T goes through the 2 x 4 hole, the fencing gets lashed to the top, and the T is held in place with long spikes driven through holes in the piece that lays on the ground. Agreed, you can't let your pets on neighbor's property w/o their permission. Even with permission, it's risky b/c at any time your birds could cause destruction of property!

 

[shortgrass]

....his way of being cantankerous when he already agreed; he's probably more upset with HIMSELF for not telling you what the boundaries were in the first place.... Most times, when a neighbor says some hing "doesn't bother them that much", they are really just being polite....

His way of warning you exactly HOW serious he is, is the dog. "If you want your chicken alive, keep it in your yard, or my dog 'might' eat it".... Again, being polite....in a way....

That was a warning I would most definitely heed, respect my neighbor, and be able to look at each other without anger

They're your neighbors; ya might be there a while,night as well do as much as you can to keep peace...

You mentioned the wife is nice, why not invite her over for tea and ask what she thinks of the situation.... You might be able to plant a bug in her ear about THEM putting up a nice picket fence on THEIR property, just for home value if anything

Build a run for yours too though, it shows that you are thinking of them

 

[mammakugs]

You all are great. I am so glad i have a page i can go to where so many people understand. Tonight he crossed a line. We are in the middle of fencing off a run. Still picking up supplies. I moved the hoop coop alone today to help facilitate the fencing. The chickens obviously had to be let out. I was checking on them quite frequently while i made dinner....likeevery 5-10 min. They were in our lower yard the entire hour they were out. I was boxing up some fresh peaches I bought off of a farmer for our neighbors. Husband came home from work right at the same time. He wasn't even completely out of his car when cantankerous neighbor came marching over yelling at my husband. The chickens made it to his yard in a matter of minutes. I was comin out ttto check on them. He started laying into my husband about how he has now asked twice to keep the chickens away. So......here's the deal. We both rent from one landlord. We live in farm country. Pear orchard on one side and hay field on the other. He doesn't have landscaping. The dog....fine. My first reaction is to say skrew him. I was plannin on sharing eggs. Not now. I get it.....not a nice way to react. But yelling at my husband pointing fingers is better? On our property? Meanwhile his kid leaves his toys at our house all the freaking time and walks right in when ever he feels like it. UGH! We are a military famkfamily and lived in lots of places but have NEVER had issues like this. Now as civilians.....ugh. A respectable man doesn’t barge over to a nieghbors place yelling. Blah! So frustrated right now!

 

[Mini Meat]

I understand how it is when people piss you off. You come up with all sorts of "I'll fix them" stratagies.

When I find myself thinking like that I remind myself of two things

1) Don't let them have that kind of power over you. Just do what you need to do to have peace and it takes the fuel away from them. When they find they can't aggravate you they move on to other victims.

2) Living well is the best revenge. When you get your chickens under control, let them know how well it has worked out for you (even if it's a lie). This will take even more wind out of their sails.

 

[drumstick diva]

The kid should not be walking in and out of your house without an invitation or permission. But, then he has probably learned disregard for other's possessions from his father.

 

[drumstick diva]

Oh yes and SUCCESS IS THE BEST REVENGE !!!!!! LET IT SHINE

 

[shortgrass]

Well I've been on BOTH sides lol.... I sprayed my neighbors' 6 year old daughter with a hose when I caught her picking my globe allum thatvi had told her for 3 YEARS not to touch!


Lol I have also watched my own children yell at neighbor kids for touching my flowers

They would cut my sprinkler heads off the ends of my hoses....

I'm so glad I don't have those darn neighbor kids anymore ha-ha....

And the neighbor next door would shine a spotlight right into our bedroom at night...and 5 dogs barking incessantly....

The ones across the street; their dog did its daily on my front lawn....

I'm sorry lol, what was the complaint?

Ohhh yeah, cantankerous.... Maybe it's time to move the chickens on the side NOT facing him and avoid at all costs... No chicken is worth angry words, or worse, fists flying

 

[trailrider330]

How about a temporary fence between you and the neighbor? This is what a neighbor of ours ended up doing when their neighbor started to complain about their chickens getting into his landscaping. I think they just placed T posts about every 20 feet along their property line and strung snow fencing, or a similar material, from those. That way they stay out of the neighbors yard but are still able to free range on the owner's property.

 

[bobbi-j]

Here is my opinion on the latest development: It sounds like your neighbor has had it with your chickens on his property. He has already asked you TWICE to keep them contained. Count your blessings that he's not letting his dog loose when your birds come calling. Does that make it right for him to chew out your husband? No. But I'm willing to bet that there have been times when you've reached the end of your rope over something and blown a gasket, too. As far as the child that leaves toys and comes strolling into your house - how many times have you addressed that with the parents? Have you sat the kid down yourself and explained that they must knock and wait for permission to enter? Or how about locking your doors for awhile? Toys left on the lawn? Quietly make them disappear. Why is the kid coming over in the first place? Not that any a of it really matters. It's still your responsibility to keep your chickens off his property and it sounds like you're working on that. Hopefully once you show respect for him and his property, he'll teach his child to respect yours. Especially if you NICELY (yes, that means being the better person here) explain that you don't appreciate the kid wandering in and out of your house at will and leaving toys on your lawn. I hope you can work things out. Good neighbors are invaluable, but to have one, you also have to be one.