I made a stupid mistake. But I don't want to give away my chickens.

[Lucy4]

I posted a while back about my neighbors, who were torturing us because they didn't like my 4 pullets. They play music so loudly that my windows vibrate... they have their 12 year old scream and bang on walls whenever we have company... they dumped some sweet smelling substance in our yard that attracts mosquitoes. I've never met such mean people. It's not just the chickens; they don't like the toys in our yard, or if my kids are too loud... you can't please them.

But I figured, I'm in the right, I'm allowed to have chickens. So I was just going to wait out the torture until they gave up. But I discovered a snag.

I researched into my private community bylaws before getting the coop/chicks; there's no stipulation about not having chickens. But I didn't look at the town ordinances, because my friend lives in the same town and told me chickens were fine. (You can have up to 20 per acre.)

But I just discovered the other day that there's another ordinance that she didn't know about. You cannot have chickens within 100 feet of a property line or a road. Our yard is exactly 100 feet long. There's no legal place for the chickens to be.

So I messed up. I admit that. My friend felt badly and volunteered to take the chickens if we get called in. The coop was quite expensive, but maybe I can sell it.

I just feel heartbroken though. I love my chickens.
It's only a matter of time before those people report me.

This is a long rambling email, and I apologize. I'm just so stressed out about possibly losing my girls, and the constant barrage of cruelty from those people. Other neighbors (none of which mind my chickens) told me that particular household tortures everyone, not just us... but it's still very upsetting.

Does anyone know if I got a chicken tractor... would that sort of get around the 100 feet rule because it's mobile? I don't know, I'm grasping at straws.

Thanks if you've made it all the way through this.

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

really sorry, neighbors can be annoying. not sure about the tractor thing. i can only suggest bribing with eggs. if all neighbors within a certain area around your house sign a petition, you can keep them.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Can you copy the exact language or give a link to the particular ordinance? Dumping stuff in your yard is trespass and criminal mischief--at the least a misdemeanor. I would suggest getting surveillance cameras that you can aim at the areas of the yard they are targetting.

Real cameras will provide evidence as to who did what; fake cameras can provide a deterrance. Quite frankly, even if they report you, you have equal reporting to do on them. Chances are keeping chickens where you are not allowed is a civil offense. Criminal mischief is a criminal offense.

(edited for spelling)

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Also, when they are being so loud that your windows vibrate or banging on walls when you entertain, call the police with a noise complaint.

How far apart are your houses that you can hear banging on walls?

 

[Lucy4]

Wow, I'd never heard about the petition thing. sigh. Wouldn't it be nice if those particular neighbors didn't exist? My other neighbors are kind and I'd know they'd sign it.

The camera idea is a good one. We're rather broke at the moment, but we could probably rig up a fake one for little cost. I think their house is about... 150 feet away from our house? We would love to put up a privacy fence, but again, finances are tough.

Here's the ordinance.

A total of not more than 20 chicken, fowl, rabbits or similar type animal may be kept on a lot of not less than one acre, and an additional number of chicken, fowl, rabbits or similar type animals may be kept for each additional 1/2 acre, provided that any building in which such chickens, fowl, rabbits or similar animals are kept not extend within less than 100 feet of any street line or property line and 100 feet from a regulated wetland, watercourse or water body.


Thanks for the support and help.

 

[Lucy4]

Oh... and the reason we haven't called the police? At first, we were trying the "don't show them it bothers us and it'll stop" plan. Once we found out about the ordinance though? Calling the cops on them will just intensify their attempts to make our lives miserable, including getting rid of the chickens. I know that, because of their behavior with other neighbors. This is a game for them.

 

[citrusdreams]

Quote:
You said your "yard" is 100ft long, but what are the dimentions of your entire property line in length and width? Is there is no far corner or place for you to put a small coop with run, that won't come within 100 feet of a street line, or property line? How many chickens do you have?

 

[Lucy4]

Our property is 100 by 80. So anywhere we put it will be within 100 feet of either their yard or the road. Is my math wrong? I'll admit that's not my forte.

We have 4 pullets.

edited for math problems

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:
That would have been my question? How close are these people?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Unfortunately you don't have anywhere near the acre that it requires. Check and see what is allowed as far as pets are concerned.

Petitions may or may not be useful for getting approval for your chickens. While it will allow your city council to ascertain that your neighbors are supportive and not antagonistic to the idea, they may be concerned about setting a precedance or about any of the other various misconceptions about raising chickens that are commonly encountered.