neighbor extremely upset -- looking for solutions

[msjones]

We've had our 3 hens for 3 weeks now. Yesterday, the hens were out in the yard twice for about 30 minutes total. My neighbor's dog barked for about 20 minutes while they were out and near her fence. (It's a very solid, wooden fence -- nothing visible through the fence...)

She was very, very upset that the chickens were agitating her dog, and the barking was preventing her from getting her work done. (She works from home.)

I'll be talking to her today, and will suggest that I put up some plastic poultry netting to prevent the chickens from being right next to her fence. I could easily keep them 4-6 feet back from the fence this way. (I'll also let her know that, generally, the hens will only be out of their pen for about 30 -60 minutes each day.)

My question is -- do you think the barrier will make a difference to her dog? Any other suggestions? Anyone else have a successful experience with this type of neighbor conflict?

 

[sparkles2307]

a shock collar on the dog would do the trick.

 

[LarryPQ]

buy her a bark collar?

I dunno--sounds like her dog is the problem, and once he gets used to the chickens, the barking should subside. It already sounds like you are trying to compromise. See what she says about the netting.

Maybe make an agreement that the dog goes inside from 7 am-8am while the chickens are out?

 

[Rhawn]

How is her barking dog your fault? Some people.

 

[PortageGirl]

I'm sorry, you're telling me that she's upset because HER dog is barking?...

I can see that you are trying to be a good neighbor, but I would NOT apologize for having YOUR chickens in YOUR yard. The offer of the netting is very considerate of you, but in the end it's her problem! In fact, you could call the police about the noise issue of her dog barking. It's obviouse that you aren't about to do that, and I applaud your desire to work with her, but SHEESH!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
EXACTLY!!!!

 

[ChickenToes]

The dog will still bark at your chickens, even if they're kept away from the fence.

Tell her to put the dog in the house, in a room without windows if it still won't stop barking. That should calm it down.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Quote:
This has worked for me twice on two different dogs and two different yards. I am still using it. DO NOT TELL THE NEIGHBOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

I use Cayenne Pepper at the base of the fence. This is "sniff" high for most dogs. It does not hurt the dog...but the little buggers will not go near the fence anymore. If they are not near the fence, they get bored and so there is nothing to bark at.

This method has kept two dogs from hitting and barking at the fences. I am happy. You will need to renew the Cayenne on occasion and this will not hurt the chickens.

 

[speckledhen]

Her barking dog is her problem, not yours. If someone said that to me, I'd look at them like they had two heads. She needs to control her dog if her dog is bothering her.

 

[sparkles2307]

Its not as if your birds are taunting the dog by showing a little drumstick around the corner of the fence or anything. She should tell the dog to Shut Up...as previously stated...a shock collar would work wonders.