Highs and Lows

[Markp1964]

What a day! This afternoon my daughter and I met some fellow chicken people right here in our little suburb . It was great to sit and see the birds going about their business, doing what they do, and most importantly, not bothering the neighbors in any way. That was the great part of the day.

Then I get home and find a letter in my mailbox, addressed to me and with a return address of Colonel Sanders, Chicken Way, Louisville KY!
Here's the letter
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kfpj_sYlayo/TbMhXhs4-CI/AAAAAAAAABQ/4vUPkcR4KSo/s1600/mounds+130.jpg
This sort of thing made me laugh then got me very steamed-any gutless worm who can't even sign his name makes me angry!
The lette rmade my wife, who is not keen on chickens at all, very upset. She saw it as a threat in some way and it bugs her in some way that the neioghbors "may hate us".
So now I'm torn-to preserve peace in my house I woul dgive up the idea of keeping chickens, but that bothers me to let "them" win. I ready to do right by the wife, but hate to think some anonymous letter writer would see it as a victory!

Anyone else get this sort of nut bomb aimed at them?

 

[mamabahre]

I'd go out and buy chickens tomorrow...And a rooster to boot!
But I hold a grudge so thats just me

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Not just a rooster... make a 25 chick order of longcrower cockerels! This is outrageous. I am assuming that you are legal in having chickens, and that being the case, ANYone who sends that kind of anonymous note deserves...well, I am a lady and I can't say what they deserve! Carry on with your birds, and know that there ARE those who understand, and even more importantly there are those who do not share your interest, but demand that your rights be observed and respected. Cowards hide behind anonymous letters.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Get the chickens, you may have neighbours who don't like you but you can't win them all. One of my neighbours doesn't like me because I work in a factory doesn't bother me though.

 

[mrsbos]

Some people are such jerks! My backyard chickens aren't legal, but I thought I had the blessing of all my neighbors. That is until I found out that one of them had secretly created a facebook page demonizing the idea that the county might make backyard chickens legal and complaining about mine. It was quite hurtful.

If you can legally own chickens, get them and enjoy them! Our three have been wonderful. The souring of the relationship with the neighbor has been unpleasant to say the least, but I believe our pets are a net positive in terms of affection, eggs, bug control, fertilizer, and just general cuteness. That's worth much more than the shallow friendship that we apparently had with one of the neighbors.

 

[schellie69]

If it is legal to have chickens then by all means get them. This person is a bully and should be allowed to get away with this kind of thing. Chickens belong in every backyard in America. I have chickens and a rooster and I am legal. Don't let people push you around. IMO.

 

[calista]

Ho, ho, I would have that letter under the nose of the nearest local TV human interest reporter in a HEARTBEAT. Bring a large handkerchief you can sniffle dramatically into and say how your wife and kids are just CRUSHED by how mean people can be when all you're trying to do is be more self-sufficient within the bounds of existing LEGAL ordinances.

Receiving a bullying, peremptory, and arrogant letter of judgment like that from some anonymous coward too gutless to discuss the issue with you directly would make my blood boil and, as stated so well by other posters, impel me to order the maximum number of chickens allowed with several roosters, guineas, and geese thrown in.

 

[Ceilismom]

What would your wife think of this letter if it were sent in regard to your decision to keep a dog in your backyard? Last I knew, any animal excrement, if not properly taken care of, will stink up a backyard. Poop is funny that way.

I would not let this attempt at bullying stop me from getting chickens that I was legally permitted to have. I would take it as a warning that I needed to be vigilant about coop security and cleanliness though.

 

[Mallory]

Somebody thinks their opinion is fact. I hate people like that. Makes me wonder if they were ever taught to respect other people and their property, and their right to their own choices.

I wouldn't let it sway me, no. So long as I have every legal right to own chickens, they can just take their KFC chicken and shove it!!

As Ceilismom said though, I'd take extra precaution about coop cleanliness and security. I would hate to hear your spiteful neighbor poisoned your birds or something. So, security camera perhaps?

I feel bad for your wife, too. I can understand how she must feel, it does come off as threatening!

 

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

I can't believe all the effort and CLIP ART that nut put into that rude no name letter! Holy cow: there you have it another neighbor with too much time and no willingness to be neighborly. I'm flipping out and the letter wasn't put in my mailbox-oh the nerve! I love the posts about ordering the max amount of chickens or getting a rooster, especially the goose, make it a white chinese goose-they're the loudest ever!

I would get chicken curtains for my front windows, chicken garden ornaments, chicken car window stickers (lets face it bumper stickers are a little passe), I would bump up my curb advertising I guess, then I'd offer eggs to all my neighbors-you would likely pinpoint the culprit and win some others over too. I love facing cowardly bullys- they usually don't have the guts to say anything, let alone anything bad- especially if you're somewhat intimidating.

If you're legal, be proud of your flock-FLAUNT IT BABEY! If you're illegal, start the process some others have and get your other neighbors and the city on your side.

You have great chickens & your wife still loves you despite them-and nothing can change that.