Had my first complaint about my backyard birds...

[Andora]

I live in Kentucky, and my town basically has no ordinances against chickens. The only rule is that you can't let them free range down the road, outside of your fence.

All of my surrounding neighbors are friends, we are on a first name basis. I've told them to just let me know if anything about my birds bothers them. People are happily curious about them and enjoy the eggs. The neighbor directly behind us is an older man who loves my chickens and ducks and sits out for hours watching them in his free time.

This morning the city building inspector came to my door. Had a complaint that I have chickens. I swear he was literally rolling his eyes. He asked if I let them range all over the neighborhood or if they stayed in my fenced in yard, and of course aside from an occasional accidental escapee they stay in my yard!

He said there was no problem, he didn't even want to see my birds. He just took my name and number in case he had anything else to ask me later.

I bet it's our new neighbors that called. They bought the house about 2 months ago, moved their stuff in a week ago, and never came back. Really odd. They also were totally unfriendly when my 3 year old enthusiastically greeted them, on two different occasions. I even said hello to them over the fence, intending to introduce myself, and they wouldn't come over and say hi or anything!

They are from somewhere out of state. I thought maybe they didn't realize how friendly people around here are...gee what will they do when every person on the block introduces themselves? Or maybe...they just hate my birds. *sigh*

 

[faykokoWV]

well, maybe they just won't come back again. Sorry to here you may be getting rude neighbors though.

 

[Imp]

You and the rest of the nice villagers can get pitchforks and shovels, mob the new neighbors and burn them out. Yeah that's the way to go.

OK maybe not.

Since you are doing nothing wrong hopefully they'll conform to the neighborhood, or keep to themselves. Bribery can work wonders. Good luck.

Imp-As a last resort plant a one of those blackberry bushes I sent you in front of their house in the evening. By morning they'll never be seen again. I swear it works here.

 

[faykokoWV]

 

[PurpleChicken]

Have your dog poop on their lawn. Show them some real hospitality.

 

[Garlydog]

Or bring them a lovely poison ivy plant in a pot as a house warming gift.

 

[Maryallison]

Hmmmm......some people. I'd be like the neighbor behind you watching your chickens in my free time!

If I was your neighbor my chickens would play with your chickens. Take one of your chickens over to poop in the neighbors yard!!!!

 

[Sitka]

Quote:

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:

Thats great!!!

 

[Andora]

Imp, I planted the bushes along our fence line and they have already reached through the fence and have their hooking claws just waiting for the unsuspecting neighbor to walk by!! Those blackberry bushes didn't seem to be the least bit bothered by being mailed across the country. One of them has already reached over several feet and is leaning on the corn in my garden. I hope they make berries next year!

I think it's really odd that the neighbors moved in and the left and never came back. They made our old neighbors have a very early closing date, and then the house stood vacant for a month. Then they moved their stuff in a few days ago, and left again. The old neighbors told me the new owner is a recently divorced woman who paid in cash. Maybe she's bitter.

Rather than doing anything to them (though I am really loving imagining the possibilities--I have 2 large dogs with large piles of flammable poo) I think we'll just stay outside and loudly enjoy our chickens as much as possible. There's absolutely NOTHING she can do about it.

The only thing she could do would be to report me for a noise violation if my roosters start making too much noise, but DH just got a new job and I think we'll be moving to the long awaited acre or two in the country before long, so hopefully my boys won't have time to be an issue.