Guinea Hating Neighbor - help!

[Barn Maid Ann]

Any advise to smooth over relations with our Guinea hating neighbor. Other neighbors have said they don't mind the birds coming to visit. We had a larger flock a few years ago and had to get rid of them because of this neighbor. They learned to follow the wild turkeys to all the neighorhood bird feeders.
Then we got chickens, who never leave the property. But last year, I had a chance to get some more Guinea keets and I couldn't resist. I thought sure they'd stick around with the chickens. And this time we raised them way over on the other side of the barn, and built them their own coop (though they now bunk with the chickens by choice).
We have 5 Guineas on 31 acres. But they have decided to 'go over the wall' to the neighbor's yard. They are a short trip through the woods. He does have a nice yard, and claims they are digging it up. They dig our yard sometimes, but it quickly grows back. This family has no tolerance. Sounds like they spotted them a time or two and immediately called and demanded we get rid of these as well. We have been keeping the Guineas locked up since the complaint. I hate to do it now, since they are so used to free roaming. Besides, we got them for bug patrol and this defeats the purpose.

Anyone else have this problem? We like our Guineas and this is a nice friendly flock. We really don't want to part with them, but it is killing me to watch them pace all day in their small pen.

 

[faykokoWV]

better than my neighbor who shot my guineas when they got in his greenhouse. your birds, his property - your bad.

Think of it this way, what if your neighbor had dogs that came over every day and chased your chickens around. Didn't kill any of them, just scared them every day. I think that's the equivelent of what your birds are doing to his yard. We all love our birds, but as with any pet, they are our responsibility.

 

[Katy]

I love my guineas too and luckily I live with no close neighbors so it doesn't matter how far they roam......and they do roam a long ways. They're the same tho as any other animal that wanders around uncontained.....they more than likely are a nuisance to someone.

 

[Barn Maid Ann]

My husband has been out of town. But he thinks if we let the Guineas out an hour before dusk, they won't have time to wander over that far.
I am afraid to try it now after locking them up for days - I think they might just run away from home!

Besides, IF they do get all the way over there, I don't want the wrath of the neighbors to come down on me again.
Though I tried to call to talk to the neighbors about it and they won't honor my request to give me a call back. I'd like to find out where exactly the birds are crossing over into their yard. Maybe I can put some netting up. I wonder if that will have an effect?
DH says to let the Guineas out and surely they WILL call me back! lol

 

[sourland]

Frost was right when he wrote "Good fences make for good neighbors."