Help! My neighbor is worried about rats!

[RoseyCheeks]

Let me say I live in the suburbs at the back of my community, I have one neighbor I share a fence with (she's super cool and excited about the birds) and the other is across a dead end, and there are no homes behind our house and won't be because of a big pipeline they just put in back there, so we decided to get chickens. I have had them for 5+ months. Now they aren't exactly supposed to be here, there are 2 rules in my deed restrictions the first says poultry can be kept, if 50' from non-owning homes and if birds/eggs are not sold. The other rule says no poultry. So I know I'm partially in the wrong and that someone might say something, eventually...

Well today I looked on the neighborhood forum and sure enough there was a post from the across the dead-end neighbor..."MY NEIGHBORS HAVE CHICKENS, WHAT SHOULD I DO?" She says her terrier dogs are crazy chasing/senting the chickens...she's over 60' away from my house...and she verified that I have chickens in my yard by peeping.

So, I baited my hook and threw it out there, I responded to her post that she should talk to her neighbors and she agreed she would talk to 'them' and hopes they are open minded since chickens attract rats and she doesn't want that. We live backing up to acres and acres of cow pasture, my 6 little birds aren't going to do much of anything to attract rats into the neighborhood, or at least I don't think so. I keep their run clean and lock the door at night (this is where I feed them chicken food, but they free range the backyard during the day) when I put them in their henhouse.

So, I am a little more than wound up. I love my birds, my 3 kids love our birds and even my hard-a**ed Marine hubby loves the birds. By city standards I'm okay but if she chooses to take this up with the HOA I'm up a creek. Anyone deal with this before? Any words of wisdom? Anything you can say to help will be appriciated!!!

Thanks a ton,
Rosey & her flock

 

[theFox]

It isn't the chickens that attract the rats it is the easy food, if your neighbor has pets and she feeds them outside she will have a rat (or equivalent) issue just like you would if you left feed all over the place.

 

[RoseyCheeks]

I keep my food inside, so that is definately not going to be an issue!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

First off, calm down

maybe you could take her back to your coop and show her how neat and tidy it is. If kept clean, your chickens won't attract unwanted visitors. You could also tell her they eat rodents, snakes and just about any other critter they can get their beaks on. Be an ambassador for your chickens. Show her how great they are and why you love them so much. Give her some eggs to try and win her over. It doesn't sound like she's in a tizzy about your birds, maybe she's just genuinely curious. Good luck!

 

[angie3881]

Sounds like she just needs to be educated and led to the chicken side of the fence!

Good luck. I hope she doesn't try to cause any problems. I agree with the above poster. Kill her with kindness! Who deosn't love eggs?

 

[RoseyCheeks]

You guys & gals are right: win her over to the feathered side. Thank you. Deep breath. It'll be okay.

 

[CMV]

You can try to win her over, but I wouldn't hold out much hope for that. Unfortunately, you are in the wrong in this situation. "No Poultry" is pretty clear and not really subject to misunderstanding. You will need to try to come to terms with this neighbor, or else the birds are going to have to go. You are aware of the rules regarding poultry ownership in your neighborhood, so you knew there was a risk of this situation occurring. Well, the neighbors are griping, so I would start preparing your children for the eventual re-homing of your flock.

I am so sorry.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Quote:
X2 I hope it is not an ugly battle but b prepared.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

It doesn't really matter what your "city" rules say if you live under the authority of the HOA, which states NO poultry.

 

[RoseyCheeks]

I understand where you are coming from folks. I'm trying no to be upset about the 'You are wrong' posts, I did come here asking for input and I DO understand my HOA rules. My plan is to approach my neighbor and soothe her fears and worries. My flock is clean and my backyard is neat (or I couldn't let my kids out to play back there). She is welcome to come and meet my family, feathered and all. My hope and prayers are that she will want to and that she will be openminded. I am also willing to start a petition if I must, to change our HOA rules, our area has been farming community for years and years, let me remind you that at one point in time chickens were okay in the neighborhood according to those same rules. It's a shame some people don't care for their animals as pets and leave yuckiness all over making people afraid of what they don't know. Again thank you for the input.