Neighbor Complaining

[chickenkeeper12]

Rural area. Everyone around me has two or more acres.

 

[aoxa]

Okay so it makes no difference if you have an unsightly backyard. It does usually matter in small villages. I know my last one had it in the bylaws...

I doubt very much that he has any legal standing unless you built the coop on his property or the birds are roaming his land.

If he continues to harass you, you do have legal standing. Call the police and file a report if he threatens you in any way, or continues to call you complaining.

By the way, what do you mean by you are x5 and he is 54?

 

[Mtn Laurel]

#1: I'd be giving him that $50. back pronto. He should pay you when you take him to run errands, do work for him, etc. but I sure wouldn't take his money because he didn't like the color of my tarps and wanted me to change them. The color of the tarps aren't his business but you taking money because of them now makes it his business. Wonder what he'll want you to change next? And then he's suddenly in control of what you are doing outside because he has the money to make you do things his way.

Next thing you know he'll be wanting to decorate your house.

#2: Ignore him. You're not doing anything illegal in your area so you've got the law on your side. I'd try not to interact with him and maybe he'll go find someone else he can buy favors from.

 

[RedDrgn]

I agree with everyone else who said to return the $50. Keeping it, even if you do use it to buy the tarp color he prefers, gives him something to hold over your head. Whatever you do, don't give someone who already has a problem with you any leverage.

Assuming that you are in accordance with all applicable laws regarding the maintenance and care of your property and the animals that you have, including any possible noise ordinances, etc. (and I strongly recommend checking up to be sure before someone else does it for you and potentially uses it against you), then carry on as you were.

If you have a decent relationship with the guy, then maybe tidy up a bit (if there really is anything to tidy up), but otherwise just do your thing. I definitely know the awkward hardship of having a legally-kept rooster with a neighbor that plain doesn't like roosters. We talked it out and came to the compromise of us keeping our roo locked up in the coop until at least 7:00/7:30 in the morning (all year round). Keeping him in the coop until then cut the noise enough that the neighbor couldn't hear it in their house at 3AM any more, and everybody was happy. So that was a quick fix that's been going well. Maybe something easy like that would smooth things over a bit with your neighbor.

 

[CAjerseychick]

Interested in this topic as we are getting 2 new roos this saturday (puppy got the last one, pup is back on restriction now so they should be safe, plus we are going for a non giant breed that can fly/ escape).......
I have asked my neighbors behind me they dont mind the roosters...
but like you, I have very very wealthy neighbors directly to my right (there is a half acre pasture in between our houses and then theirs is set back alittle more so maybe 3/4 of an acre between us). We moved in 2 years ago and they have never even said Hi to us but have these huge parties to which all the old neighbors are invited (cant help but noticing, they even have a home auditorium built onto the back of the house)...
but they havent said anything to us one way or another, but since they have not made any overtures I am not that concerned.
(Plus we are just outside city limits of a very small town about 3000 people) and are legally allowed to have roosters and livestock.....

So anyways, the roos are actually a favor to a town friend who cant have them -- they are beautiful young roos (I think a RIR and a white leghorn) and my 11 hens are waiting for them....

 

[seann]

Right, if it's legal to keep roosters, keep them. Who cares what your neighbors say.
Give the $50 back and tell him to come talk to your parents when there is something illegal going on.

 

[chickenkeeper12]

Thank you everybody for your help. I don't mind changing the color of the tarps cause I have to say it does look pretty bad from his view. I don't want to get him really mad because I work for him cause I'm not old enough to have a real job so I don't want to not change anything to loose my job. If I loose my job no more chickens. With the roosters I just checked with all of my neighbors and they said they all liked them which is good. Also he had roosters at one point so I don't get why he is mad about me having them. I'm pretty sure I'm in compliance with the zoning laws and so forth. Finally he shouldn't be asking me to move my coops because when he first moved in he built this beautiful huge barn and then after it was all done they realized it was 2 feet too close to our property so being the nice neighbors we are we let him keep it. We didn't want to start off on a bad note so we just pushed it aside. Now that he is complaint when I am with my rights, it's just annoying. Also I would do the keeping them locked up in the morning but my neighbors like how them wake them up. There funny because I live in Fairfield county, Ct and 3/6 of them grew up on farms so they like it. Thanks everybody

 

[chickenkeeper12]

Is this all I need:

 

[chickenkeeper12]

Anyone?

 

[newbie32]

My advice take it or leave it: I think that he is using his position as your employer to his advantage. He is testing the boundaries of the relationship. You should NOT allow him to do this. Changing the color to please him is not a bad thing. But since you agreed to do it he is now thinking he can get you to do other things just because he can. Inform him that it is not possible to move the coop. Then say-very nicely-that you prefer to learn from your own endeavors and that although you value his opinion, he is making the relationship strained. I have a degree in behavioral sciences and know a thing or two.

Do not argue with him if you want to keep your job. If he is yelling at you very CALMLY inform him that his behavior is not befitting his age and you will talk to him when he is calmer, then walk away.

A few side notes- 1. If your coop is absolutely disgusting then he might be concerned about the well being of your hens. Also, there are laws about animal cruelty and animal control CAN be called if your coop is not healthy for the chickens. Clean it once every few weeks at the very least.
2. If he placed that barn 2 feet on your property and you let it sit on there for a specific amount of time then the property line becomes his. The amount of time varies by state. you could take him to court but if enough time has elapsed then your parents lost 2 feet of property. Happens quite often.

Good luck on your relationship with your neighbor. Money only buys power if people allow it to!