I have a neighbor with 5 labs. I think only 1 is out during the day, and that one is so old, I've never seen it go faster than a lazy stroll pace--but it's not leashed. The others are younger, and one is pretty wild and doesn't come when called. In 4 years, only one has ever come to our yard, and only 10' over the property line, and only twice. It is a very submissive dog--lay down at DH's feet with all 4 paws up and wouldn't get up--had to literally be dragged home! They don't have an invisible fence, just dogs that know the boundary, it seems. And it's probably 200 yds between our detached garage and their house.
So, the chickens will range on the other side of our garage. The dogs won't see them from where they play at all, and until the chickens are bigger, we will range them just right behind the garage. However, the neighbors don't know about the chickens (they can't see the coop from their house b/c of the garage).
We're allowed the chickens, and there is no limit to how many, roosters OK too. But in 4 years, we've spoken to this neighbor fewer than 5 times. Not for any reason, they just keep to themselves. And even though they can't stop me from having them, I'm trying to make this experience great for the whole neighborhood, where we will be the only chicken owners, and for most of the neighbors, their only experience with someone who keeps chickens. I had several upset neighbors when I told those present at last years HOA meeting, but since there's nothing they can do, I only want them to see that I can have a pretty coop, and that these birds will not attract coyotes that will subsequently kill the neighborhood children.
All other nearby neighbors already know, and they have kids, so their kids have seen the chickies and it's been really fun. With the remaining couple, DH will probably be willing to make the visit, but if it's up to me, I stink at that stuff--and I don't want to come across like I'm apologizing for putting a temptation so close to what amounts to 5 bird dogs. I want them to get that I expect their dogs to keep away, despite the possibility that they will be wanting to come around more (I assume the dogs will smell and hear the birds and come a-runnin'). Any suggestions how to be clear without offending? (I know some people spend their entire life being offended by everything that's said to them, but let's assume these people are normal)
I also plan to sit with the birdies when I put them out for the first few weeks to observe the hawk and dog activity at certain times of the day. Thanks for the input!
ETA: They will be fenced with netting, possibly electrified. And thanks for your responses--everything you have said is very helpful. I have always wondered how far they would actually go if let completely loose--too far, it seems.
So, the chickens will range on the other side of our garage. The dogs won't see them from where they play at all, and until the chickens are bigger, we will range them just right behind the garage. However, the neighbors don't know about the chickens (they can't see the coop from their house b/c of the garage).
We're allowed the chickens, and there is no limit to how many, roosters OK too. But in 4 years, we've spoken to this neighbor fewer than 5 times. Not for any reason, they just keep to themselves. And even though they can't stop me from having them, I'm trying to make this experience great for the whole neighborhood, where we will be the only chicken owners, and for most of the neighbors, their only experience with someone who keeps chickens. I had several upset neighbors when I told those present at last years HOA meeting, but since there's nothing they can do, I only want them to see that I can have a pretty coop, and that these birds will not attract coyotes that will subsequently kill the neighborhood children.
All other nearby neighbors already know, and they have kids, so their kids have seen the chickies and it's been really fun. With the remaining couple, DH will probably be willing to make the visit, but if it's up to me, I stink at that stuff--and I don't want to come across like I'm apologizing for putting a temptation so close to what amounts to 5 bird dogs. I want them to get that I expect their dogs to keep away, despite the possibility that they will be wanting to come around more (I assume the dogs will smell and hear the birds and come a-runnin'). Any suggestions how to be clear without offending? (I know some people spend their entire life being offended by everything that's said to them, but let's assume these people are normal)
I also plan to sit with the birdies when I put them out for the first few weeks to observe the hawk and dog activity at certain times of the day. Thanks for the input!
ETA: They will be fenced with netting, possibly electrified. And thanks for your responses--everything you have said is very helpful. I have always wondered how far they would actually go if let completely loose--too far, it seems.
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