Did I provoke my neighbor into this?

[al6517]

I think you came off too harsh from the start, he was just testing your response. he even backed down a time or two in the e-mails back and forth. you were just goading him into action by your abrupt and mean responses, I know how neighbors can be, some good some not so much. With the way it stands now it seems to be growing into a terrible fued, all I am saying is you would have served yourself better by easing into the deal instead of getting in his face right off. Try to back off a little and give him some time all the while trying to avoid a confrontation.

AL

 

[cherig22]

My first thought was the the OP's response to his first foray was harsh....

But you know what? If they had tried to answer nicely, that would have told that jerk that he could walk all over them.

I am too chicken *no pun intended* to show tough love like that, but I do applaud you.

In this 'me, me, me' generation, all you do by being nice to a jerk is to empower him.

You just make out an informational report to animal control, and give copies of everything he wrote. And highlight the passages concerning the racial slur, rat poison, and mail fraud.

Best of luck to you, and your chooks!!!!

Cheri

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Our reply:
I wonder what you're going to do when we get pigs.

Seriously, if your neighborhood is zoned agricultural then this jerk has no leg to stand on. He should of done his homework before buying his own property if he has an issue with livestock.

So your chickens are walking up and down the fence line. Big hairy deal. I just don't understand the mentality of people who think that chickens are trashy. I love hearing the clucking and yes, crowing even! So does my neighbor. He actually said to my DH yesterday that he's glad to hear a rooster again. (we had one some time ago but rehomed him cause he was too rough on the girls).

For the next little while you might want to walk up and down the fence line to check for poison pellets. Maybe even weed eat the grass down really low and then get a leaf blower and blow along the fence line to push anything he might have put out further back onto his lawn. If you find one poisoned pellet on your side, grab the camera!​

 

[ArkyBird]

IntheSwamp is right. The only way to solve this issue is to de-escalate it. Stop the e-mails. Either talk to him in person or ignore him. Calling the cops, animal control, or anyone else is only going to egg him on. (pun intended). Plus, what he said about rat poisen is not a threat, just a statement. Don't be stupid like him, just go about your business and be happy.

 

[lone cedar farm]

Thats right Jeanie you need to slaughter you chickens, dress them out and give them to your kind neighbor for what hes had to put up with from you, I'm ashamed of you for standing up for your rights. If you just have to have pets Then you can replace your chickens with several yapping dogs that will stand at the fence and bark all night every time he makes a sound....he'll finally come around to your way of thinking!

 

[panner123]

Quote:
My parents moved us next to a person like your neighbor when I was younger. After he shot my roo, he had a real problem. At night my brother and I would sneak out and move his outhouse about ten feet away from his house. He moved after falling in the hole a few times. Talk about being up to your neck in stuff. If you are right let him take you to the county. Prove him wrong a few times and hopefully, he will go away.

 

[Jennie5193]

Quote:
We've done so much to make the coop pretty and keep the run consealed. Our yard is clean (maybe the grass only gets cut once a week) and my chickens don't bother anyone. There is no sort of an eye-sore on our property. He was offended by *seeing* chickens. Nothing more, nothing less.

I do need to ask, though - what makes me give chicken owners a bad rap? (I only ask because the last thing I want to do is be a bad rap.)

Thanks,
Jennie

 

[lunkerchicken]

Get the loudest Roo you can and perch it on the boundary line!

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
My parents moved us next to a person like your neighbor when I was younger. After he shot my roo, he had a real problem. At night my brother and I would sneak out and move his outhouse about ten feet away from his house. He moved after falling in the hole a few times. Talk about being up to your neck in stuff. If you are right let him take you to the county. Prove him wrong a few times and hopefully, he will go away.

that is genius!!!

 

[Jennie5193]

Quote:
I missed where he backed down. Please point it out to me. I'm not being mean I just really didn't see it.

I really appreciate people letting me know where I went wrong, that is helpful information for use in the future. It is always useful to get other perspectives on the subject. Thank you.