Forced to give up hens, but not giving up!

[Klukkin Ken]

Thanks everyone. Some very good ideas from you all.
My wife is so excited about getting chics again. She was so heartbroken when we had to give them up and if I do have any more problems, I will fight back this time.
I was attached to the gals myself, but she was obsessed with them. My family stills laughs at her for making them cornbread every other day

 

[SecretHavenFarm]

I dont understand why AC is so quick to tell people to get rid of their chickens (when they are legal) because they are a neucinse. Then why wont they tell the neighbors to get rid of their dogs that dig into your yard and are a neucinse to you?

 

[Tbird84]

I'm with ya there! I think that if they'd had the nerve to continue causing strife in the community, I would report the 'loose' dogs to AC and the nasty pool to the health people. Good idea on the letter of permission to move the coop closer. Luckily, my neighbors on both sides want chickens. I intend to help them with their 'problem'.

One has dogs that get loose, but they don't hurt my girls. I have more to worry about from my own dogs!

 

[sunflowerenvy]

if the dogs are still dig than i would put a electric fence on the ground while it is a live and and let the dogs go near it and then they learn not to dig there

 

[drumstick diva]

Yes, get the electric fence, and everyone knows stagnant water will be ripe for mosquitoes. They should be forced to drain their pool or add the lavarcide (I think it is) to the water to kill off mosquitoes. Why should they get to abuse you and not get some grief themselves.

 

[Klukkin Ken]

Thanks for all the replies y'all. Everyone is so friendly here on this site.
I revisited our online ordinance again and it is a little vague. Pasted below.

Sec. 10-89. Fowl.
It shall be the duty of the person owning or having within his management or control any chickens, turkeys, geese or other domestic fowl, to keep the chickens, turkeys, geese or other domestic fowl enclosed upon his own premises, within a pen, coop, or hutch, which contains at least six cubic feet for each fowl, the height of such enclosure not to exceed six feet. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, or raise any chickens, turkeys, geese, or other domestic fowl in a pen, coop, or hutch situated closer than 100 feet from any inhabited dwelling, provided that this distance requirement shall not apply to the dwelling of the owner of the chickens, turkeys, geese, or other domestic fowl. A fenced yard shall not qualify as a pen, coop, or hutch.
(Code 1984, § 3-10; Ord. No. 02-17-97-a, § 2, 2-17-97)

Here is what I am planning to do now. My current coop is taller than 6 feet, so I guess I am going to have to address that problem first. I will be moving the coop about 50-60 feet to the left on my property which will put it farther than 100 feet to any neighbors house except for the one next door. I have talked to him and he is totally cool with us having chickens. I am going to sell him 1 hen for a penny and tell him all the eggs from her will be his. Of course getting this in writing, so therefore, "we" both own the chickens and won't have any neighbors house within 100 feet.
My next question is...I have to get a permit (Tax fee) from the city to construct any building outside. I have never gotten one before when constructing a shed or the old coop and wonder if I should do so this time? It may draw attention to the city as to what I am doing.
Funny thing after revisiting this ordinance, I can't find anything regarding roosters or the number of hens I can harbor. I thought it was 6 hens and no roosters, but I can't find it anywhere.
Man, I so wished I lived in the sticks!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Sounds like you have a good plan. I wouldn't call AC on the opposing neighbor as it would really cause major problems that you don't want. I would inform him though that you could cause problems for him if you wanted to, with a smile of course!! I'd also be prepared just in case you do get a visit from AC. I don't think that your county inspection dept. is going to report you to AC...they generally don't know what's going on with each other. To cover yourself I'd do everything legal.

Your wife looks so happy there with her chickens. I hope it works out for you!!

 

[Shai]

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Wow that is just amazing...what a rotten guy!

 

[BirdBrain]

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Terri, get a game cam or a nanny cam and get some documentation. Then call the police.