How to be a good neighbor

[fed up]

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.

 

[TinTennessee]

Kindly approach your neighbor, tell them how you feel. Then tell them it wouldn't be so bad if they would send some eggs your way. If that doesn't work get a dog. But keep it on your property, or your no better than your neighbors. Hope this helps.

 

[sumi]

Good fences makes good neighbours. Good luck!

 

[7L Farm]

I feel your pain. I moved out to our farm that's been around for three generation. Ahhh out of the city & finally peace & quiet. No neighbors. Then I couldn't believe it I start hearing machines big ones at that. I'm freaking out. Lord I'm having a bad dream wake up. Nope not a dream some idiot buys the farm next to me & builds a neighborhood . I don't understand this. Perfectly good farm land wasted. Its always hard to find good neighbors at least this has always been my problem. I have no solution for helping you with your situation sorry.
I had one opening where I could see a house they recently built. I bought 17 clumping bamboo plants & blocked the area off. I don't like people starring in my backyard & definitely don't want to see some million dollar home that is totally out of place in my opinion.
One neighbor came over & bought some eggs & I tried to be nice but probably wasn't . I explained to her that I raise a lot of birds & I know yall have dogs so one bit of advice I gave her is keep your dogs on your side of the fence. One thing I don't tolerate or give second chances to are predators.

 

[millivanilli]

fed up,

I hope you get to enjoy your retirement. Jealous here!

In my personal opinion, it's individuals' responsibility to keep their animals from doing damage in other peoples' yards.
I do see what the chickens do to my gardens and mulch, they dig holes and throw everything around. I like that they get rid of the bugs, but they do make a mess. I haven't seen them damage plants, although if you had fruit or vegetables I suppose they would eat them

My neighbors are so far apart (hundreds of acres) I don't see or know any of them. There are some down the road across the street, I have seen the chickens scratching around their mailbox twice (even though I told them not to cross the road) but I don't see any flowers or fancy gardening. I have considered putting a note in their mailbox letting them know if my chickens make their way into their yard and bother them, they can let me know by popping a note in my mailbox, and I will keep them in.

I feel this is my responsibility. Not to let my animals damage other people's property or bother other people on their own property.
Your neighbors don't sound like they have the same ethic.
Since you already said you discussed it politely and they don't care to do anything, can you check and see if there is any ordinance or legal avenue to get them to take responsibility for their own animals? Sheesh it seems like common sense.
I don't understand why THEY can't put up some little garden type fencing to keep their pets/animals on their own side.

If you are stuck with it being your own problem, I do agree that good fences make good neighbors, although they don't sound worth giving the time of day to.

Good luck and best wishes.
Dawn

 

[KnoxvilleChick]

I'm sorry you've gotten a bad taste in your mouth about chicken owners. Most of the flippant-complaining-neighbor remarks I've noticed are about non-exisent issues for responsible chicken keepers, like the spread of disease, noise (at least for me, since I'm roosterless), odor, and things of that nature (probably a matter of perspective that I've read things differently than you). Your problems are definitely in a different category all together. I, along with every other chicken owner I personally know, take precautions to make sure my neighbors are not disrupted by any of my hobbies, including my hens.

If you've already tried to reason with your neighbors, check into your local laws and ordinances. Even though it sounds like you're pretty rural, most places have laws about keeping your animals on your own property. Once you've educated yourself (it may even be helpful to make a few calls to animal control or whoever your area has that would deal with this to get some tips) make another visit to your neighbors, and give them an ultimatum. Restrict your birds, or you will bring in law enforcement. Also- save your receipts for all of this material you've been forced to buy, photocopy, and deliver your neighbors with an itemized bill.

And in my personal opinion, if a chicken owner has the right to shoot a predator (including domesticated dogs) that comes on their property... these chickens are definitely predators to your garden. A dead chicken won't scratch up your beds. Or, if you're opposed to that, a paintball gun will help retrain them to stay away, and hopefully pink and orange chickens will tell your irresponsible neighbors you mean business.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Sorry you're having to go through this. I have problems with kids on ATV running behind my property. They were so loud yesterday that I couldn't even stay outside and they frighten my dogs and chickens. Upsets me that I can't enjoy my own backyard.

Definitely your neighbors are responsible for keeping their chickens at home and should reimburse you for your damages. All of the above suggestions are good. If you can't afford a "proper" fence, try using 4 ft. metal fence stakes with a roll of green 4ft. tall plastic poultry netting. It might blend in with your greenery and not be very noticeable. It's not all that expensive, either. I use this method to keep my chickens out of my garden. You can get these items at Home Depot.

If the neighbors aren't responding to your situation, you could always document what's going on and ultimately take them to small claims court. Take pictures of their chickens in your garden, of the damage caused, keep receipts for replacement plants and other item's you've had to purchase to try to keep the chickens out, keep track of the amount of time you've invested in doing all the work. Tell the neighbors you're considering this so that they can see that you are serious and hopefully they will resolve the problem. Of course, that will pretty much alienate your neighbors for good but it sounds like the alienation is already there.

Unfortunately, all of these options lay the burden of time and expense on you. If you have a county animal control office, you might want to try contacting them. I would suggest that you consider cooking a chicken dinner but it's not the fault of the chicken as they're only doing what chickens do.

Good luck!

 

[DobermanGuy]

Kindly approach your neighbor, tell them how you feel. Then tell them it wouldn't be so bad if they would send some eggs your way. If that doesn't work get a dog. But keep it on your property, or your no better than your neighbors. Hope this helps.

THIS is what I would suggest as well...

Your dog would get a free meal out of the deal as well.

 

[theoldchick]

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.

 

[DobermanGuy]

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.

A dog is not likely to be digging up plants unless it is left outside unattended. Better to just turn the dog outside when you see that it has 'work' to do.

There is virtually NO part of the chicken that a dog can't safely eat. (feathers and all) My dogs favorite snack in the world is duck feet. Wish I had never started buying them those at the feed store now as the dogs are 'hooked' on them.