Concerned Neighbor

[TXchickmum]

There is a difference, IMO, between keeping poultry on land or in a rural/country setting and keeping poultry in an urban/suburban neighborhood setting with small lots and close neighbors. We live in a suburban neighborhood where chickens are permitted. Coop maintenance is a priority for us. We scoop and clean the coop and entire run/lawn every day (because we don't want to smell it nor do we want our neighbors to deal with the smell. They have every right to enjoy their property free from odors from our birds).
To the original poster, you must speak with them. They may not be aware of the odor - seriously. You seem like a very conscientious neighbor, and simply wish to exist peacefully with those around you. You and your guests DO have every right to enjoy your property without the "fragrance" wafting from the neighbor's large coop. -make the effort to speak with them first, and then if there is no sensible resolution - go to the proper code enforcement authority within your city/town. -best of luck!

 

[Smelly Chickens]

@ erinszoo
Thank you for your reply to my complaint about smelly chickens. I do know my neighbors. They have lived next door to me for 6 years. This new venture to own chickens has been since this past May. Not only did I patiently go through the process of them weeding out the roosters, (they got their chickens as young chicks), by listening to crowing at 4:30 every morning but at first I liked the idea of them owning them.
Since I have always lived in the city, I was unaware of the smell that was due to come through the fence in these hot summer months. Know, that I live downwind from them, very close to the ocean where wind blows all day long in my direction. If I go to their yard, there is no smell in their yard. They didn't even know they smelled until I asked them to come to my side of the fence.
They clean up once a week and I think they should be cleaning daily. I don't know these things but the smell is coming from someplace that is not cleaned properly.
I assure you that my cat does not kill or eat birds. He likes to watch them. He crouches near the fence to watch the chickens next door that interest him. His water bowl is in the house and not left outside and cryptococcus does come from chicken manure. My vet told me so and there are links on the internet that say so also. And, yes, he did use their pile of chicken manure that was stored in the public alley way as a litter box until I asked them to please remove the manure and they did. My cat is sick from chickens.
I will take your suggestion #4 and bring them sweet pdz and vanilla air freshener. Thanks for your reply.
Please Google cryptococcus and chickens and maybe be surprised at what you see there.
Thank you again for your reply.
Smelly Chickens

 

[erinszoo]

@Smelly Chickens - given you were not the original poster of this thread most of my comments were not aimed at you at all and therefore I didn't make them appropriate for your circumstances. I am so happy for you that you are "friends" with your neighbors, even though all of your writing about them sounds otherwise. As for Crypto - my information comes from an entire team of veterinarians who not only practice but also teach at a university. While chickens can get it it does not originate with them, but instead comes from wild birds. It also lives in most soils and therefore is a common fungi. For people or animals to become infected with it, they almost always have some other problem beforehand (ie. HIV). It is an extremely common fungal infection in cats, even those who don't live near chickens. Once again, keep your cat inside and you will have a noticeable decline in cat illness. While the internet has many sources of information to pick and chose from, I feel confident that my source of over 300 years of combined veterinary practice is slightly more accurate. As for your cat not eating birds ... it's a cat. I'm so glad you will be gifting them some sweet pdz (you find that at farm stores by the way - it's sold for horses - made from volcanic ash and perfectly safe for the chickens to be around and eat but not breathe while being applied) and vanilla car fresheners (which repell flies). It should make a considerable difference, however, if the smell is only in your yard and not in theirs it may be difficult for anything to help as it may not be their chickens causing the smell. If the source doesn't smell, neither will the wind blowing across it ... however, if the wind smells and the source does not, look for another source.

 

[Balynn]

I have a similar problem in Pa. my neighbor who"s property is directly behind ours has purchased chickens. They now have 20 hens, 2 roosters, 3 ducks and 4 turkeys. The smell is extremely offensive. There are days when we can't be in our own back yard depending which way the wind blows. We can't have our windows open on a nice day because the smell comes in the house. The mosquitoes are terrible because they have 2 large kiddie pools filled with dirty stagnant water that are right at our property line. we also live in a township that has no regulations or ordinances pertaining to backyard chickens. we always got along as friendly neighbors but now I am to the point where I am having trouble even looking at them. Their rights have taken all of mine away.