How to be a good neighbor

[furbabymum]

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.

I'm a B&*(^. I can admit it. I've called the sheriff on my neighbors annoying cow more times than I can count. I wouldn't go through all the work you are going through. After adressing it with the neighbors and the sheriff I'd start eating chicken.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Oh, I should have added up above: even in a rural area, you are liable for the damage your animals cause. When my dad's cows got into the neighbor's lawn, we had to pay for rolling and re-seeding. The lady threatened to sue us for emotional distress because she woke up and saw a cow looking in her window... we told her that we'd pay for the lawn, but that she'd have to take us to court for the emotional distress.

 

[FireTigeris]

10 to 1 if this person follows our advice well have a newbie chicken owner coming on to whine about disappearing chickens form his/her property...

"I don't know what happened, they were all fine and never strayed out of the yard..."

 

[Nicole01]

My neighbors hate chickens and we are building a fence just in case they decide to walk on their property. So far our flock stays on our land.