Law on my side, but neighbors keep calling the police!!! Long rant

[NateinFL]

There is nothing wrong with keeping chickens, especially well-cared for ones, you dont even have a rooster. I would thinks dogs are much more of nuisance than your chickens. That's too bad they're acting like that, but good luck, I am on your side

Some people just have WAYYYYYYYY too much time on their hands...

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Ignore them.
Brush it off, you now know they are not your friends; don't we all wish we knew that about those we know.
Smile and wave, but no more eggs - except for the nice policeman when he comes over.
They probably have flies (time of year) and they probably come from their barking dogs (people who let their dogs bark to the point of annoyance rarely clean up after them). Then next spring make a gift of chickies to all of the other neighbors!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Make sure the next time the cops or animal control comes, you give them some eggs!

 

[catfish/okie]

After realizing their complaints are not getting them anywhere maybe they will get used to the fact you are going to keep chickens.

 

[redhen]

I'd say its high time to get a rooster!! A LOUD one....

 

[Beekissed]

Heck, yeah! Get a big ol' mouthy roo! And then smile and wave as you pass, pray for them and keep on keepin' on. They can't steal yer birthday!

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I'd go over and say (in a very polite / friendly tone), "Someone has been reporting my chickens as noisy and smelly. Do you know anything about it? Do you have any problems with my chickens or suggestions?"

Be quiet and observe closely how they respond.

Best case is they engage you in a friendly honest conversation and you find something that works for both of you.

Worst case they either tell you it wasn't them (any chance your animal control friend could be wrong) or they get defensive.

Either way, I'd get it out in the open that:

1) You're aware someone is complaining
2) The police find nothing wrong with it and you're in your rights

If they put up a stink you should definitely tell them that you put up with their dogs.

If they lie, and your 100% sure it is them reporting you, call animal control on their dogs and keep giving them eggs.

 

[BigPeep]

Illinois has a Right Farm Act, (740ILCS70) (2005). You could qualify under this if you have had your chickens one year prior to the other neighbors homes having been built. This, however, only protects you if they sue you as a nuisance and not if they just call the police. However, they won't know that so you may want to throw that at the police the next time they come around.

 

[EweSheep]

I would not give any neighbor any eggs unless they ask. All for the more reason I dont give away eggs to pacify neighbors and keep me for being liable if they DO get sick from my eggs when they are getting the sickness from something else like bad hamburger.

Other than that, you are within your rights to keep hens. I agree with Nifty.

 

[wombat]

I wouldn't get a roo and punish all the good neighbors who are not complaining just to get back at the one who is.

Also - I doubt that there's any rule shielding the idendity of complaintants, except in criminal cases, where anonymous reporting of crimes is encouraged so that people are willing to step forward. Consider filing a freedom of information act request for copies of all complaints regarding the keeping of poultry in your zip code or some other readily identifiable area. Find out who is grump, and what they are saying.