How to be a good neighbor

[blueyzjg]

So to hear your troubles. This makes us all look bad. I would speak to them one more time, then call animal control or the police. You could tell them you have put stuff down on your lawn that will be harmful to the chickens. Its time for them to build an enclosed run!!! Jackie

 

[devora]

I have been disappointed to find your flippant remarks about neighbor complaints in threads and no solutions as I've searched through your archives. A dozen eggs once in a while is little consolation.

I sympathize w/ your plight and your feelings towards these threads. We come here to live in a Chicken Centered World and sometimes we lose sight of how non-enthusiasts might react to our "precious babies." In a word, we're all nuts.

While I feel it is not in any (any) way your responsibility to deal w/ this other than telling your neighbor to keep the birds off of your property, as a practical matter clearly that has not been efficacious. *SIGH*

Perhaps a motion-sensor rain bird? They cost around 50 smackeroos. I've thought of using them for my own birds.

Birds can be discouraged from places but, unfortunately, it takes a lot of effort, effort I feel you ought not to have to generate.

Do you have magazines to cut out letters for the ransom notes?

 

[Mattemma]

I spent our house siding and driveway money on a fence for our .96 acre.Goes from one side of the house,all along the property line,all the way to the other side of the house.Best money I ever spent.I recommend a fence.Any chickens that fly over the fence should disappear.Eat them or rehome them.

I refuse to put up with any kind of trespassor,and I won't waste time pleading with others over their destructive animals.I say get rid of the problem.Roamers disappear all the time.One time free pass unless an animal of mine is killed.

 

[FireTigeris]

"I found some chickens tearing up my yard, as we have talked about 'your' chickens being in my yard I assumed they were not 'your' chickens- It's a shame too- sorry I penned them up and( had ACAC take them away/ took them to ACAC), they can be bailed out for (XX) each anytime in the next (X) days as they were in breach of the local 'animal at large law' (law code).

Hope you can get your chickens back soon and you teach them were not to go...

I'll tell you what, you fence them -forever- at least out of my yard and I'll go bail them out myself for the misunderstanding... "

((only if the fencing will be more then bailing out the birds))

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Put a fence up, then get a dog (chicken killer).

But others have mentioned dogs can dig up flowers too. I have never had a dog, so I don't know the damage they do also.

I just want to say that I have an *8* foot high fence that some chicken breeds can fly over easily. So just a fence might not work (but *might* deter them somewhat if they are heavy chicken breeds).

 

[off-grid hen]

Well, that would bother me too. As it is, I have my veggies fenced off to keep the deer, chickens and my mother-in-law's cats out. The flowers are a different story. The chickens will scratch up veggies and some flowers. When my plants are young, I use a piece of green wire/vinyl fencing shaped into a circle. About a 2 feet in diameter, I think-larger for larger plants. About 3-4 inches around the outside of the plant's widest parts, and Half as tall as the plant is. It looks like a short version of a tomato cage, only with smaller holes. Perennials will grow through this ring, and hide the fencing with foliage.

However, I don't see that YOU need to spend anymore money with fencing or preventative meausres here. I'm not sure exactly what you've said to your neighbor. Try explaining all that you have tried with the chicken wire and whatnot. Tell them how much it has cost, and explain that they need to find a way to keep the chickens out of your yard, or you will call animal control and send them a bill for every plant that is dug up. THEY should be paying to fence THEIR chickens in, not you paying for fencing to keep their chickens out.

although, I will say that the rings around the plants really keeps the chickens out and the green fencing is pretty cheap-you might want to give it a try if talking to them and giving them receipts doesn't work.

Now-can you help me keep the deer from eating the hostas? They can reach down throughbthe tops of my fancy rings and eat the tops off.

 

[audrey02026]

I can understand your frustration. I used to let mine free range all the time, none of my neighbors minded until recently I neighbor texted me to tell me that if I see him chasing my chickens out of his yard that he wasn't trying to hurt them or be mean but he doesn't want them in the yard due to them pooping everywhere. I apologized and told him I would keep them locked up in the run until much later in the day in hopes that they would not wander too much. So far it's worked out pretty well. I have seen them over there once or twice but I just call them and they come running. I also make a point to go outside often when they free range now to give them treats. I figure that if they get used to getting some kind of treat then they will stick closer waiting for me to give them something. After the season is over I plan to only let them free range in my fenced garden area so they won't bother my neighbor. I totally agree with another poster that we are responsible for our pets and it's up to us to make sure they do not destroy another's property.

 

[RedDrgn]

If the neighbor doesn't care to do anything about it, then call your local animal control division and ask them what the local ordinances are regarding livestock and trespassing. I'm guessing it's probably, technically NOT okay for their chickens to wander on and tear up your property without your permission. Once that is confirmed, go back to the neighbor and ask them to take whatever steps are necessary for them to keep their chickens off of your property. Explain that you have bent over backwards fortifying your property against their avian raiders and simply state that you're tired of doing it. It's not that hard to keep chickens on a piece of property. I know, because I successfully do it. My chickens are never on my neighbors' properties, even when they are free-ranging MY property.

If the neighbor's balk at you and do nothing, then report them to local authorities, and keep reporting them until it stops. Taking photos of their chickens on your property and tearing up your garden/plants will help.

That's the cheap method. Alternatively, as others have mentioned, fences make great neighbors. Just make sure that you put one up tall enough (like 6+ ft) to keep the chickens out.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I do not have chickens. I grew up in the country with chickens, game hens, pigs, and a milk goat. I know about the rewards and responsibilities of such animals. We are soon retiring and have moved to a great little country crossroads. We looked forward to our acre with a little garden space and a couple of outbuildings for hobbies. Our neighbor has chickens. After hundreds of dollars of damage to my flowers,plants and tiny garden for the past two years here is what I am currently doing. In order to have anything grow, I dig up soil pin down grass-prevent cloth, then pin down a layer of green plastic chicken wire on the ground, then cut holes in this and insert plants, then cover with mulch. This is a LOT of work and expense to have a few flowers. Our few vegetables are planted in 10 hay bales. This has succeeded in keeping the neighbor's chickens out but it is a LOT of work. We have already addressed this politely with them. They have apologized and are aware but don't care to do anything. We try to watch when they let the chicks out in the afternoon and herd them ourselves. They have 25 acres next to us . THis morning I had to hustle out and chase chickens out of the two places that we don't yet have the money to set up properly. THe hostas were shredded and the mulch under the gardenia was all over the yard. I have been disappointed to find your flippant remarks about neighbor complaints in threads and no solutions as I've searched through your archives. A dozen eggs once in a while is little consolation. Hopefully I might get a few suggestions and then I will unsubscribe and leave you to your flocks.

Sorry that your neighbors are terrible. I've had so many people tell me how wonderful chickens are in the garden--but they're always people who don't have chickens! I go to extreme measures to keep my birds inside their pasture during the summer, which keeps them out of my garden and my neighbor's garden. My hens got out ONCE this growing season and ate holes in: 31 tomatoes, four winter squash, three zucchini and one pumpkin, and they dust-bathed in the sweet potato hills and dug up the roots. I was pretty torqued off at myself for letting them get out.

Probably no one has suggested this yet, but have you thought of shooting the birds? Frankly, that's what I would do. Or I would catch them and sell them on Craig's List. Some lovely corn mixed with rat poison/Golden Malrin? Getting a dog as others suggested is too much work, and if your dog goes onto the neighbor's property to chase the chickens, then all of a sudden YOU are in the wrong. Take photos. Keep the receipts of the plants you've planted, or a list of what's been destroyed and the cost for a similar sized plant at the local nursery. Give your neighbor a bill. If they don't pay it, take them to small claims court. Call local animal control EVERY TIME you see the birds in your yard. Take more photos. Document, document, document.

 

[TXchickmum]

Catch them and hold them ransom.

Seriously, I understand your situation. Having careless, irresponsible neighbors is hell on Earth. Since you've already spoken politely with them, I suggest learning about your local laws on this kind of problem. Contact animal control and make a complaint. Document with photos/video of the chickens and the damage they do. Then prepare to take legal action. There is no quick answer to this situation.

Getting a dog is no guarantee, and it will probably dig up your plants. Cats will poop in the bedding so they are out of the picture, too.

Having a picture perfect garden is incredibly hard work. Most people don't realize the dedication it takes to get plants to maturity because they have never tried such an endeavor. Bad enough battling insects only to have a flock of chickens decimate a plant that will take years to recover.

This is an excellent reminder to those who have chickens and other livestock: Keep your stock in your own yard. Yes, we love our animals, but we don't love yours.

-agree 100%. It's unfortunate that you are having to deal with irresponsible neighbors. It is not incumbent upon YOU to do anything!! -sounds as if you've gone above and beyond in an attempt to be nice and cordial about the situation. You should be free to enjoy your own property, flowers, gardens without ANY interference from another's birds.

We live in a neighborhood that permits hens and roos. We do have a noise ordinance which prohibits habitual barking, howling, or crowing. Due to the close proximity of neighbors, we bring our roos in (laundry room) every morning from 6AM - 8AM to allow the neighbors to enjoy quiet, sleep in, or whatever they choose without being disturbed. (also, consulted neighbors prior to keeping 2 roos) Now, if an issue evolves and we're informed that we're disturbing folks - the roos will go (and we love 'em)! -BUT, due to the fact that we live inside a city limits (suburban area) it is OUR responsibility to enjoy our birds - not everyone else's. (If we wish to hear crowing outdoors, then WE will adjust and move to the country.)

-love my chickens, but also respect the fact that there are certain responsibilities and courtesies that go with flock ownership, so to speak. I do hope that you find a solution to this terrible dilemma, and get to enjoy your gardening. Keeping a healthy flower and vegetable gardens does take a lot of effort. It is disheartening to have another's birds destroy it.

-if there is any legal avenue per ordinances, codes, etc., it would be beneficial to explore those. Although it sounds like a rural setting, there should be some type of trespassing ordinance/law that might be pertinent. -best of luck, and I hope that you get to enjoy your property in peace!