How to manage the local teenagers?

[amsunshine]

I'm planning on keeping chickens outside once I get the required variance. In the meantime, evidently word has spread throughout the neighborhood teenage population that I'm the "crazy chicken lady".

(rather be known as that, than as the crazy cat lady!, due to a lovely letter that my neighbor sent out (who was initially in favor of the chickens, now is trying to make life hard for me) to all neighbors within 150 feet of me (the government is irriated with him, since he is also misinformed and a bully, too) Now, I've not talked with most of these teenagers and don't know how to establish a relationship with a bunch of suburban teens with a ton of time on their hands to gossip about what might or might not be going on in my yard. I have a feeling that they are cool kids and just haven't seen a different side of life. Any clues on how to manage them?

 

[Break an Egg]

I have a bunch of kids that live on my street, and most of them go to school with my stepkids. Don't let them run over you, because most kids will if they have the chance, but for the most part the kids around here are nice. I talk to them and ask if they want to see the new "batch" of chicks or I ask them about their day. I love animals, and they see that and they think my chickens are cool.

 

[amsunshine]

Thanks, and I'm glad that the teens think the chicks are cool. In my case I'm a single woman and don't have kids...it seems more difficult to try to talk with them because of my status. I also can't reveal that I have the chickens already (life would REALLY blow open then), till I get the variance...plus that one difficult neighbor would have a cow and prolly have the local powers that be come and fine me or some such thing (he does not believe in talking to your neighbors, evidently). I've walked around myself to the parents and tried to educate the parents. Didn't think this was something I had to call a "block meeting" on!

 

[roxarnett]

Young people love humor. They also love food and many love animals.

So, you can jolly them along with something funny, like find an apron with chickens all over it, or bake some cookies and invite them to see the chicks, as advised, and offer cookies as well.

Choc chip is always a favorite.
Or even apple slices and cheese, with the cores and goodies to feed your birds to show them what the chickens like.

 

[Tala]

I'd be careful of them, honestly. I think other people's kids are fine so long as they NEVER set a foot on my property.

I think a teenage girl stole 3 teenage chicks from my chicken tractor out of my fenced backyard last fall!!!!

 

[Break an Egg]

Yeah you have to be super careful nowadays, some parents are against disciplining their child, and if you tell them their kid did something wrong, they get in your face for telling them.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Treat them individually, not as a group. Get to know them by being friendly, and judge each one by their individual reactions to your friendly smile and "hello, how are you today!" You can ask how school was that day, or comment on some local news or sports that might be of interest to a kid that age. Realize that some kids are outgoing, talkative sorts and some are quiet reserved ones.

 

[Imp]

I am almost 50 single and get along great with the teens (Well all the kids) on my street. First make sure you have a friendly relationship with the parents. I also hire the kids occasionally to help me out. If I have to move something big or watch the house/animals if I'm gone. I pay reasonably and they seem to think I'm generous. I also make sure to tell the parents about how great their kids are. The littler kids are easy, About once a month they set up a stand to sell things. When I get home from work and see them. I grab a few dollars of change and wander over to see what they are selling. A couple weeks ago they were selling rocks out of the neighborhood yards.

They couldn't decide if they were 3 cents per rock or $30 per pile. I talked them into $1 each for a pile of 8 rocks, that were probably out of my driveway. I've also purchased worms, roly poly bugs, firewood(sticks) and moths. I also buy from their school fundraisers.
I have a firm rule with all the kids. They are never allowed in my yard without my permission and an adult with them.

Imp- Soon you will be the NICE crazy chicken lady

BTW- I released all the bugs

 

[PunkinPeep]

So far the fascination by teenagers has equaled or outdone the fascination of smaller children with my chickens (and rabbits and puppies).

I fully agree with at least knowing for sure that the parents are happy about the kids being at your house, but if you can involve them in what you're doing in some way, they will be your friends instead of your enemies, and they will learn something to boot!

We live at the very front of our neighborhood, and at first i was very concerned that the neighbors were going to have issues with our chickens. Then a few months ago, a nice old man came by to ask about them, and while he was talking with my husband, he told us that the neighborhood people he has talked to aren't upset about our chickens....they're jealous.

And now the trend is spreading. At least two other families have gotten chickens after checking out ours.

We're friendly to anyone who stops by, and we show them all around and let them see our chickens and answer a dozen weird questions, and we haven't had any trouble.

I hope you have similar success in your neighborhood (after you get your variance of course) just by projecting your good attitude over their possibly poor ones.

 

[nsanywhere]

I'm also single and living alone, but with LOTS of animals that are a fascination with the neighbors....of course! We had a rocky start, but once I realized that I needed to lay the ground rules and stick to it, things have improved.

I go on person by person, but the general rules that everyone knows are that they must knock on my door and SEE me for every animal visit. No opening or going in to any pen, brooder, out building, etc. without my permission (which I never give). Sometimes I ignore the knock at the door but watch out the window just to see if they follow the rules. I also don't grant animal visits every time they come over or they expect it. And quite frankly, I'm not all that interested in entertaining other people's children.

Its a fine line. I like to be neighborly, but I don't like to be the go-to for bored kids. I also don't want to set up any potential for future trouble. My best advice is to set your rules, repeat them often, hold people to them, and always keep one eye open.