Hearing tomorrow, all of our neighbors and 10 others are against our coop. Any tips?

[matt44644]

I wouldn't use the "uncontaminated" to use that would imply grocery store eggs are.If anyone on the board or committee has any ties or family in AG it might not go very well with them.IMO

 

[Christin]

Just know that our thoughts and hopes are with you as you take on this battle not only for yourself but all farmers whether they have 80+ acres or only 1/4 acre. A lot of people do not understand what is truly at stake in matters like these but it comes down to the simplicity of knowing where your food comes from and passing the knowledge you worked so hard to obtain. Farming isn't a job but a way of life that has begun to get forgotten in humanities strive to make things "better" and "easier"; but what most have forgotten we practice every day. So know that every farmer is behind you when you walk into your hearing tomorrow and that even if you do not know it we are cheering you on every step of the way!

 

[HTPickles]

I gotta say I'm very pro-chicken (I have 7) and pro individual property rights, and I only live a few towns away from you, but if it's true your coop is only a few feet from your neighbor's property you don't have much of a leg to stand on. Can you compromise and move it further from your neighbors? Most of the towns surrounding you (Reading, Woburn, Methuen) have all established more concrete chicken rules, governing coop size, location on the property, and number of birds you can have. Most local governments are recognizing the trend in backyard chickening and have thus been proactive in the management of it, which is good for both the chicken raising family and their neighbors. While I agree your neighbor is being a bit ridiculous, I think you also have a duty to respect them. So if I were you I would go into the hearing this morning open to compromise, with some alternative setups, and armed with the more specific rules from the neighboring towns who are a couple years ahead of Wilmington. All my neighbors love our chickens and we keep the happy with fresh eggs. If you can promise your chickens will not be within 100 feet of your neighbor's property, I think they'll have a hard time excluding you. And hey, you can tell them you know a guy who will take them from you if things don't work out! Good luck, let us know how it goes!

 

[detz]

I gotta say I'm very pro-chicken (I have 7) and pro individual property rights, and I only live a few towns away from you, but if it's true your coop is only a few feet from your neighbor's property you don't have much of a leg to stand on. Can you compromise and move it further from your neighbors? Most of the towns surrounding you (Reading, Woburn, Methuen) have all established more concrete chicken rules, governing coop size, location on the property, and number of birds you can have. Most local governments are recognizing the trend in backyard chickening and have thus been proactive in the management of it, which is good for both the chicken raising family and their neighbors. While I agree your neighbor is being a bit ridiculous, I think you also have a duty to respect them. So if I were you I would go into the hearing this morning open to compromise, with some alternative setups, and armed with the more specific rules from the neighboring towns who are a couple years ahead of Wilmington. All my neighbors love our chickens and we keep the happy with fresh eggs. If you can promise your chickens will not be within 100 feet of your neighbor's property, I think they'll have a hard time excluding you. And hey, you can tell them you know a guy who will take them from you if things don't work out! Good luck, let us know how it goes!

It's not close to their property, the structure they think is a coop is a child's playhouse. The coop itself would be over 100' from any house. I'll have to look up the surrounding town laws, that's good ammo, thanks.

 

[detz]

I went an looked into their yard, the person who and I quote from them has "One of the strongest allergies of this individual is to bird feathers, bird dust and mites" has five birder feeders three of which are off their patio and at least two bird houses on their property. Wouldn't you think that someone who is strongly allergic to bird feathers, bird dust and mites to do what ever they can to keep them away from their property and not attract them?

 

[matt44644]

Take pictures of them.

 

[Percheron chick]

Your first draft has some strong points. Being able to quote CDC data is important. You omitted how you will deal with disposal of waste. Include that. If you plan on composting, state why (eco friendly, conserves water, reduces chemical fertilizers.... cities love all this) Include that all potential pathogens are killed in the heating stage of composting. Include gardening aspirations (even if you don't have any). Use of all that valuable humus and nutritents as well as the elimination of pesticides. Better for all of us. If you intend to deep litter, DO NOT expand on that. That would imply that you only intend to clean your coop once or twice a year. The principles of deep litter are beyond them. You've stewed over it for 12 hours. Rewrite it strengthening points where you can and taking out the personal when possible. Put the picture of the neighbors back porch up while talking about allergies. Don't say what it is until you are done. Than share with the board who's inviting birds over for breakfast every day. Expand your conclusion to again disprove their concerns.

Getting your hands on neighboring cities BYC regulations is invaluable. Present it to the board as a blue print for your township. Let's face it. Our cities don't really want to do any more work than they have to. Others have already done most of the work so all they have to do is put their stamp on it.

Agree that "contaminated" is not the best choice of words. I would use fresh cage free eggs.

 

[Purpletie3]

I went an looked into their yard, the person who and I quote from them has "One of the strongest allergies of this individual is to bird feathers, bird dust and mites" has five birder feeders three of which are off their patio and at least two bird houses on their property. Wouldn't you think that someone who is strongly allergic to bird feathers, bird dust and mites to do what ever they can to keep them away from their property and not attract them?

You must supply the Court with a picture of this...This is VERY IMPORTANT for your case to negate their concern over feathers when they are calling birds to their home!

 

[detz]

You must supply the Court with a picture of this...This is VERY IMPORTANT for your case to negate their concern over feathers when they are calling birds to their home!

Yeah, I have pictures of their bird houses and feeders, I wish I had a better zoom lens though. I also found a picture form last summer of five turkeys feet away from their property as they constantly roost in the tall trees right next to us.

 

[Purpletie3]

Good, pictures speak 1,000 words. You can't propose your wife has a feather allergy and post 8 bird feeders inviting them to your yard. They are probably in her "gardening areas" as well.

You must educate them and inspire them. Debunk the myths...invite them to the process of a healthy way to live.

I would have told you to put a chicken in your bag and produce him at the end...but, kinda gets ruled out with the allergy issue.

I just drove 1400 miles last weekend with 2kids, 3 dogs and 8 chickens. Would have never known the chickens were in the car! It's all perception...good luck and let us know how you make out!