I need some help with what to tell my neighbor. Please

[1stepcloser]

Hen House stole my answer. I was going to say get a young priest and an old priest....but the garlic might work as well.


Seriously, I would just tell them that until little whatshisface becomes older and has more restraint you are going to ask him not to be brought over. Don't make it into a big deal...just set some boundaries.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I would set boundaries. He can come to the property if he is nice to the animals -- doesn't chase them etc. Tell them you are concerned about the animals, but also about the kid, because animals are unpredictable when they are scared.

But then my neighbors think I am weird for not letting their dogs roam onto our property with our free-ranging birds.

So good luck!

 

[wegotchickens]

I wouldn't tell them the animals have lice; they'll blame you if the little darlin' catches them at school!

I'd write up a very detailed list of rules, complete with clauses about how they pay for any animal injured or any damage done.
And also a waiver that if the kid gets hurt it's not your responsibility. And EVERYONE gets to sign it...

It won't hold up in court, but it may scare them off.

 

[ChickensInTheNorthWoods]

I'll come over and help you set up a wire fence boundry and we can charge them a petting zoo fee - $3.00 for 10 minutes oh and I will get you a Feed Dispenser from the Big E and each person who enters will be required to spend at least $1.00 in quarters for feed!

If that doesn't work show them a picture of me and say if he doesn't behave they all get a haircut like mine!

 

[JennsPeeps]

The lice suggestions is funny but could seriously backfire: what if they called the humane society on your questionably legal animals?

Honesty is the best policy. Tell them that you're concerned an animal or their grandsatan will be injured, and that the rules are XYZ: supervision & prompt correction, gentle and slow behavior around animals, absolutely no damaging/throwing/hitting of anything.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree with Buff.

Or I have a bottle of holy water you can borrow.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Redhen, are they the only ones on the block allowed to play too much with guns? Just sayin'....

Whoops. Did I do that?



Seriously now, I'd hope for the day a few roos take him on. Bet it would only take one flogging to get him to mind his manners.

 

[fordmommy]

No suggestions. Just....more

 

[lurky]

Quote:
I agree with Buff.

Or I have a bottle of holy water you can borrow.

I agree with this too, but it might be good to use it for keeping all of them out or it will probably just go back to business as usual if the roosters dont act up.

 

[danielle82]

I do find it strange that the grandparents let him run amuck like that. That is how children learn rules after all, by stepping in and actually enforcing them. I can't imagine why they would allow him to break the rules. It could be that they are animal "stupid" and have no concept that chasing animals is wrong. Clearly Damian does not. Could you allow him to look at the animals through the fence? Tell him that you love how much he loves the animals, but no one likes to be chased around scared, and tell him that you only let people in with the animals that can follow the rules? It sounds like you really like the grandparents, and would like to try to be nice to the boy, but if the adults in his life are not going to enforce the rules that you have stated to them... I don't know, that would be a very sticky situation. I don't think you are confrontational by nature (I know I am not) And it sounds like you are tryiong to take the gentlest route possible without terrifying the animal family. Sometimes a small child's love can be turned into masochistic terror (for the animals) If unreigned, but you'd think at age 4 he would have learned proper etiquette. I feel for you. Some of my neighbors let there children run amuck, I've found a 3 year old child in my sheep pen once. (that wasn't my child)