Neighbor threatening to "take out my roosters"

[Rock Home Isle]

Hey guys. So sorry that I haven't been able to update or respond in the last couple of days, its a very busy time of year around here. I feel like I barely have time to sleep and not enough daylight in the day to get everything done.

So here is the current deal. He came to the fence line (not on my property) to have a little chat again. He started off by asking how I was planning to improve my field

suggesting that I mow down my long grass. Seriously??? I have my field cross fenced quite a few times so that I can rotationally graze. Just because he keeps his field mowed down to exactly 4 inches, doesn't mean I have to. I told him that it really didn't seem to be any of his business what I do. I also mentioned that this is a rural area that is intended for farming and so on. This for some reason made him VERY mad. He said quite a few obscenities. I did not cuss at all!! Go me! But on the up side I think that I have a better feel for him now. I think that he a big bully (obviously) and is used to people doing what he tells them to do.

I do have a fence that runs that perimeter so no worrying about property line disputes. I do have firearms. I was living in an area that meant that I had grizzly bear and wolves (yes wolves they are everywhere in Idaho these days) among many other animals on the property that I rented. I also hunt, deer, elk, black bear, and wolves (legal don't worry) so I know how to use my firearms. I have also installed my 2 game cameras. And am in the process of getting my hot wire going around the garden, which is also the property line with him. I will not be giving him any eggs or produce.

I did mention what is going on to my other neighbor who said he would keep a lookout for me also. They are retired and home all the time.

All I have to say is, having a neighbor who doesn't like you sucks!! I will do some responding to everyones wonderful and very insightful posts this evening.

I'm so sorry that things are not resolvede, but I am so happy to read that you are takingb a stance and advocating for yourself. VERY COOL>

 

[teesquare]

Well - I am pretty new here, and I hope I am not speaking "out of turn".

I grew up in Texas. We respected others rights- and we lived in the country. I think at the heart of the matter you are dealing with is that the neighbor had in his mind - his form of "paradise" when he bought his property. You and your activities fall outside of his vision of perfect, and he cannot easily adjust - or at least he will need time and encouragement/education

.

We now live in the mountains of western NC, and I see this all of the time. We have a lot of folks that we call "half-backs". These are people that originally lived in the heavily metropolitan-ized and concrete covered northeast - and retired to Florida, and discovered they did not like 12 months of summer ( no offense to Florida

) SO - they move about "half-back" to NY or NJ... and wind up here. In the country. Beautiful mountains, lots of wildlife, trees, clod running streams, etc.

The problem is that they have always lived in highly controlled, heavily regulated "sub-divisions" - and are shocked that someone might actually want to paint their house a different color than everyone else's

. Makes them feel "un-safe" with their investment in their home.
My property borders a loosely allied mountian "sub-division"/ HOA .....And - when they come here - all is perfect...but let ONE MORE person move into their area - and have the temerity to do anything different than the established "norms" and the poo hits the fan!

Example: We allowed one of the folks in the sub-divion to build a paddock and shed for their miniature donkey that they had been boarding elsewhere. They were desperate, and needed a home for the donkey. I felt for the animal, and said - sure, you build it - and I will not charge you anything for use of the land.
You would have thought I had started WWIII !
It seems the other neighbors were peeved at their HOA member f doing this - although it was not on their HOA side of the road - it was on MY property. I got phone calls and e-mails from folks that had built their vacation homes here, tho they lived in Miami, or NY, or.......One said he had no intention of driving past a petting zoo to get to his vacation home. ( My response was, "Well, don't stop to pet the donkey - and I will not charge you a zoo entry fee.
Another said they could not imagine having farm animals along the common road between our property. My response: "Well - it is ONE lil' donkey....But now you mention it - I think I will build a HOG PEN RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROAD"

. I sent out certified letters to all of their members explaining that property lines mean something. And that I had no intention of making anyone of them un-comfortable in their houses. Having said that, they could buy me out if they choose, at my price. Or I could offer to keep them informed of further developments. My wife wants Alpacas - and that was what we acquired the land for originally.
As I am not under any of the constraints of their HOA codes, - but I do not want to be a "bad neighbor, I will take into consideration their concerns, and hear what they have to say - given it is of a civilized and social nature. (BTW - I *DO* love to target practice with several firearms - and I highly recommend you do the same. Not as a threat....just as a "proficiency exercise"

.) BTW - we have become good friends with most of these HOA neighbors.
They have all since fallen in love with the donkey - and feed him when they are around...funny how that happens with animals and people that have never been around any before.....

Summation: We all tend to be afraid of that which we have no familiarity. TIme may help him come around. He is just feeling stupid with his un-realistic vision of "his paradise", and angry about that.

BUT - in the meantime - document everything, and note the dates and times. Photos can be valuable as well. And - restraining orders and injunctions may be a part of the solution should you feel genuinely threatened for your safety or that of your livestock/property.
Best of Luck on this - I know it can be a bit taxing on your nerves. In the meantime just remember:
"Illegitimi non carborundum"

T

 

[speckledhen]

Young lady, you're doing quite well. Keep up the good work and stay strong. We're all rooting for you!

teesquare, I'm right at the NC line, in Fannin County, GA., a huge second home area, so I can so relate to what you're saying. Thank goodness the only restriction on my property is that I cannot have hogs, which is fine by me. I can run anything else I like, though, have as many chickens,including roosters, horses, cows, llamas, whatever, as I want.

My land is surrounded by gravel/dirt road, so no property lines to dispute, which is perfect, but you never know about some folks. All of my neighbors except one are much older than we are and as they pass away one by one, no telling who will move in here. At least, we can't really see any of them except for the one directly across from my 200 ft driveway and that's only in the dead of winter. Some people are not happy unless they are complaining about someone else, I guess.

 

[LoweBow]

Do as one of our local farmers did when his neighbor who "moved from the city" to enjoy the country living on his 5 ac tract, but fought the division of the neighboring farm into tracts

http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?s=3650250&clienttype=printable

 

[teesquare]

Young lady, you're doing quite well. Keep up the good work and stay strong. We're all rooting for you!

teesquare, I'm right at the NC line, in Fannin County, GA., a huge second home area, so I can so relate to what you're saying. Thank goodness the only restriction on my property is that I cannot have hogs, which is fine by me. I can run anything else I like, though, have as many chickens,including roosters, horses, cows, llamas, whatever, as I want.

My land is surrounded by gravel/dirt road, so no property lines to dispute, which is perfect, but you never know about some folks. All of my neighbors except one are much older than we are and as they pass away one by one, no telling who will move in here. At least, we can't really see any of them except for the one directly across from my 200 ft driveway and that's only in the dead of winter. Some people are not happy unless they are complaining about someone else, I guess.

Same situation here.....clearly no property lines in dispute. Just neighbors on the other side of the road that don't like anything outside of their vision perfection!

 

[teesquare]

Do as one of our local farmers did when his neighbor who "moved from the city" to enjoy the country living on his 5 ac tract, but fought the division of the neighboring farm into tracts

http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?s=3650250&clienttype=printable

HYSTERICAL!!!!!!!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Do as one of our local farmers did when his neighbor who "moved from the city" to enjoy the country living on his 5 ac tract, but fought the division of the neighboring farm into tracts

http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?s=3650250&clienttype=printable

That is awesome....

Fight fire with Napalm.

 

[Sparklewina]

I have had really bad experiences with neighbors in the past (not chicken related) so I did some research. First off, if your garden really is over his property line you can either work out an agreement with him about keeping it there for the year or you can move it. The reason I suggest this is you probably might consider building a legal case against him. He has threatened your livestock and insulted you. It's bound to escalate (though of course I hope he turns over a new leaf and settles down for your sake, that would be easiest for everyone involved). I used to carry a tape recorder and recorded all of our conversations. There are apps on smartphones for this if you have one, you can legally record your conversations (check your local laws but for the most part it is legal). If he actually were to kill your chickens that would be a crime. If he threatens you further I would not hesitate to involve the police.

I'm sorry that you're going through this, if he moved to the country for peace and quiet I imagine your aim is much the same. You might consider a very tall (ugly) fence I hope it gets better.

 

[oldrooster]

I will assume you have a farm tractor, if you don't or a replacement is in order buy a diesel, that way if the fence falls down in the middle of the night let him hear the roar and smell the fumes, check on a restraining order, you might be able to get one, find some literature on new covenant restricted neighbor hoods in your area and anonymously mail them to him. ask the local ffa or 4h or scout groups to come out and check out your farm or pay them (the group) to build fencing or plant a garden that way their group will raise needed funds you get cheap labor and the ninny next door won't bother you and a group of kids... keep records and perhaps a pocket tape recorder when you work near the property line, laws in some states won't let you tape on a phone line but if he starts cussing you just ask him how would he feel if he is taped and then tell him goodbye because he is and you do not wish to speak to him anymore, and let the cops hear the tapes....

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

you go girl! Let him know us country girls don't take no nonsense.