Neighbor Problems

[sundance]

Fence, If you have to do a roll every payday. Just let him know that you are fencing to keep YOUR animals in your yard.FENCES MAKE GREAT NEIGHBORS. marrie

 

[Dar]

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thats a great Idea....maybe you will even be able to get it off of freecycle or craigslist

 

[Laura78]

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I have to totally agree with HorseJody. I'd say no more burn piles, no more eggs, no more garden, and no more driving through the yard. I would even put up 'No Tresspassing' signs and locks on the gates. If he complains about not being able to use your yard you could just tell him it's to make it harder for your chickens to make it into his yard.

 

[KrisRose]

By all means talk to him if you can. Then put up a fence for your peace of mind. Use t-posts and welded wire fencing to keep it cheap.
Then quit telling your neighbor to shot the chickens if their in his yard!!

 

[LynneP]

This man sounds like a control freak, and until you formalize your boundaries with a fence and have as little to do as possible he will encroach, while making you feel awkward about your hens. No more eggs for him. Get this thing under control even if you have to re-posture on free-range for a while. Otherwise the things you have mentioned will be the least of your worries. We have one odd neighbour below our 5 acre property- works best if we decide we don't like each other and avoid contact...

 

[Picky Chicky]

I know we'd put up a fence in lieu of having to actually make any waves with neighbors of ours. Unfortunately, it can be a hefty expense for not talking to someone frank. I agree with others - don't send him the heated letter. Either tell him you're putting up a fence and let him know where the surveyed property lines are so it's no surprise to him.... or just put it up and prepare to talk to him after the fact.

What a nightmare for you. Good luck!

 

[HennysMom]

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I have to totally agree with HorseJody. I'd say no more burn piles, no more eggs, no more garden, and no more driving through the yard. I would even put up 'No Tresspassing' signs and locks on the gates. If he complains about not being able to use your yard you could just tell him it's to make it harder for your chickens to make it into his yard.

Yep - agree 100% - and its actually true re: insurance. If something happens to this man on your property, its your butt thats on the line. If he has a fire going and doesnt put it out - and it catches, burning acreage or your house, or even HIS house, guess what...you're responsible. As for his herb garden being on your property - why is it there to begin with? Does he not have his own land for his own purpose? Time to tell him to move it along with stop trespassing through your yard.

If my neighbors drove through my yard and left ruts like that, I'd be miffed beyond imagine. I spend hundreds of dollars not to mention my time getting my yard to look nice and even I dont drive in my yard so for someone ELSE to do that.. nope, I'd be telling them they'd have to pay for repairing the damages and/or reseeding at whatever grass seed I put down, not their choice of seed. Also, he doesnt pay your mortgage. It just never ceases to amaze me how many people just let others do as they please for the sake of "being neighborly". To me, that hospitality only goes so far once the neighbor becomes a nuisance.

On the other hand, as others have stated, - that goes both ways. They are your birds, therefore it is your responsibility to keep your birds out of his yard as well. I wouldnt send the letter as its written if you know its mean and nasty - there are other ways to verbalize it I'm certain without sounding so nasty, but still get the point across

 

[WalkingWolf]

While you are picking up the fencing don't forget the no trespassing signs to post on the fence. From the sound of your neighbor the fence will not be enough to deter him from using your yard. Till the herb garden under, he has his own yard to use for a garden. Words or letters are not necessary, let the signs and actions speak for you.

I once caught a snooty uppity preacher illegally dumping. His attitude sure changed immensely while a deputy and I watched him retrieve his illegally dumped trash.

 

[Judy]

Very few replies have addressed the lack of communication between you and your neighbor. Whatever else you do, you must let him know that some of his actions are not acceptable to you. You need to tear up your nasty letter and keep the conversation civilized.

You have a great opportunity to do this, by stating you now realize that it was wrong of you to expect him to accept your chickens being on his property, so you will be fencing your chickens. Keeps the conversation civil, and avoids the fence appearing to be a hostile act.

Of course, you could fence a run for the chickens for much less than fencing the property.

It sounds like you may still be able to avoid a war with this neighbor. Remember, you were also in the wrong!

 

[horsejody]

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I think the OP knows they were in the wrong too. It's just a bit of a rub to be expected to right your wrongs while the other side uses you as a doormat. There should be better communications. The neighbor thought the chickens were an intrusion and a nuisance and had no qualms about telling the OP. The OP now needs to open the communication the other way and air their grievances. Personally, I would say, "I know my chickens have been an issue in your yard. I am solving the problem with a fence. It's nothing personal, but I have to contain the birds. I also think that the fires in my yard present a liability. I'm sorry but you will have to establish your own burn pile. Since the chickens free range, the herb garden may have to be moved too. I will help you move the plants. I hope you're not offended and understand that I need to keep my chickens safe, and I want to be friends. Let's go have lunch!"

If the OP has a talk with him, he will either get it or he won't. If he's a decent person he will understand and move on. If he gets mad and stays mad, he wasn't really a good neighbor anyway and it would have escalated to much worse without the fence and new rules.