Grumpy neighbor, advice welcome.

[Quackwacker]

So our neighbor of the last two years whom we have had a very civil relationship with, up to now, has decided over the last 6 months that she does not enjoy our Muscovy Ducks visiting her pasture. We have a medium sized mixed breed flock. The Muscovies are our fliers of course, and her muddy puddles are very attractive. She has two horses and 3 dogs. I’m not sure what the problem is. In fact my ducks are keeping down her insect population. Just last week she sent me a borderline threatening message about keeping my ducks out of her yard. Now for clarification about six months ago we had an in Person conversation where she stated that she knows she just needs to get over it because she understands they do no harm.

To keep the peace we have temporarily put our Muscovy ducks in the barn with the goats. This has to be terrible for both species. The goats don’t enjoy others that look different. Unless you have thumbs and bring food. So our options are:

1. Clip the wings-which I don’t think will solve the problem, it’s only a 5 foot fence. This would also break my heart.

2. Scramble to get resources to build some sort of enclosure that is confined yet going to make for a happy duck life. (During the winter in the muddy Pacific Northwest)

3. Sell our babies- I can’t even

4. Move?

Any thoughts would be welcome, yes I will try to talk to her again and find a compromise. I’m so baffled by her threat I’m not ready to speak calmly yet.

Thank you all in advance for thoughts.

 

[nuthatched]

Clip their wings, it won't hurt them or you. Or possibly raise a tall deer fence on your side of the fence, you have to enclose them on your property.

 

[casportpony]

If I were in your shoes I would clip their wings. We have Muscovy ducks, a 5' fence, and once they are clipped, they cannot get over the fence.

 

[Quackwacker]

If I were in your shoes I would clip their wings. We have Muscovy ducks, a 5' fence, and once they are clipped, they cannot get over the fence.

I think the the problem is there is a large tree that is growing side ways in our yard and they love perching on it. It also goes right up to the top of the fence . And they hop over. But perhaps once they realize they no longer can fly back over with clipped wings. Maybe they won’t do it anymore?

 

[Isadora]

I think the the problem is there is a large tree that is growing side ways in our yard and they love perching on it. It also goes right up to the top of the fence . And they hop over. But perhaps once they realize they no longer can fly back over with clipped wings. Maybe they won’t do it anymore?

It's worth a shot.
Perhaps you could also cut a few low hanging branches so they can't reach them.

Your neighbor doesn't need a so-called good reason for not wanting the ducks on her property. It's her property and that's all there is to it.

 

[Quackwacker]

It's worth a shot.
Perhaps you could also cut a few low hanging branches so they can't reach them.

Your neighbor doesn't need a so-called good reason for not wanting the ducks on her property. It's her property and that's all there is to it.

I understand that and respect that. The thing is, we have for the last two years, been very tolerant of each other. This was so sudden and hostile. One of her horses has made it to my hard before. We just brought him back and called her at work to let her know we took care of it and she might want to secure her gate in case it happens when no one is around to catch it. We didn’t want him wandering to the street. But yes you are right. It’s her property.

 

[casportpony]

I think the the problem is there is a large tree that is growing side ways in our yard and they love perching on it. It also goes right up to the top of the fence . And they hop over. But perhaps once they realize they no longer can fly back over with clipped wings. Maybe they won’t do it anymore?

Can you post a picture of the tree?

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

One of my pet peeves is neighbors who think they can just let there animals on your property. It is her land and she has stated (quite clearly) that she doesn't want your ducks on it. End of story.
Now to fixing it the quickest way would be to clip their wings. It doesn't hurt them.

 

[MaryW2K]

Good fences make great neighbors after they aint so great. Sorry you have to change for your babies. Good advice here. Perhaps you could have some fun making something for them in your yard. Good luck fellow fowl keeper.

 

[Weeg]

It's worth a shot.
Perhaps you could also cut a few low hanging branches so they can't reach them.

Your neighbor doesn't need a so-called good reason for not wanting the ducks on her property. It's her property and that's all there is to it.

Ditto!

Clip the wings. I can see how she would be annoyed to if someones ducks were coming onto her property. They do control the insects, but they also poop. Duck poop is annoying, it doesn't dissolve, and you can't pick it up. Either way, she doesn't need a reason. Your ducks should stay on your property.
Plus, what if they flew into the horses pasture and the horses injured them. Is there a road nearby? They could accidentally end up in the road if they get scared and injure themselves, or even be killed.

Clipping the wings will not harm them. They can be very happy without being able to fly.
I agree cutting off some of the branches might help. What if you used deer fence to fence off the tree entirely so they don't have access to it.
I think its in the best interest of you and your feathered babies to keep them on your property.