Neighbor using strobe lights at coop at 5 every morning... remodel fix ideas?

[NatJ]

We cannot do a giant spot light, or a ton of mirrors, or a fire hose while this goes to court but I am looking for a way to block the light and still ventilate the chicks. I cannot do anything that is retaliation but I can do normal things and I can defend my place. Thank you for all the suggestions and for the kind words. If you have any coop light blocking and ventilation ideas I'd love to hear them. Thanks again

Maybe put up a whole row of artificial Christmas trees? Evergreens can be good light-blockers. Unfortunately it's not the best time of year to find them, but maybe keep an eye on yard sales or look at stores having early pre-Christmas sales. Or maybe cornstalks, which seem to be common decorations at this time of year.

Any other kind of real or artificial plants would work too. But I'm thinking it if LOOKS like a seasonal decoration, it might not bother everyone else who sees it (like yourself, and the neighbors who are not causing trouble.)

If you put up some lights of your own (Christmas lights, night lights, lit Halloween decorations, etc) that might make the flashlight less obvious to the chickens (more light, rather than light in a formerly-dark place.) So the chickens might not be disturbed as much. I don't know if that would be enough to keep the rooster from waking up and crowing, but you could probably test it with things you already have rather than needing to buy anything new.

 

[Nym]

It sounds like the police are actively working on it so I would not call them every day.

Document every day, yes. With video of the shed, yes. Call for updates or to add the documentation periodically but not too often, yes.

Normally I would agree, but having battled a barking dog issue several times, I quickly realised authorites don't rush to sort things out unless encouraged.

 

[McChooky]

If the courts won't demand your neighbor stop making noise and flashing lights in the middle of the night they can't hold you responsible for the rooster reacting and crowing.I had a terrible neighbor once and I chose to move for peace of mind.

 

[perkolator]

Until it’s resolved legally, I’m thinking maybe you could block it with a patio umbrella with tilting top

 

[McChooky]

If he's the type to make your rooster crow all night I wouldn't spend my hard-earned money trying to make it quit crowing .I'd buy the best camera system I could afford so everything he does is recorded and uploaded to the web automatically so I could present it as evidence to the judge.

 

[ChicNmom]

How is torturing one's neighbors amusing?

First off I found out I knew the people who repeatedly complained about the perfectly legal, acceptable and occasional daytime target practice. Without going into a lot of boring back story the husband used his position in our small town to make sure things were done to his liking and personal preferences. I'm sure our chief of police was thrilled to tell Mr. Entitled that his neighbors were not breaking any laws and within their legal rights.

The person who told me what was going on was also on the town council and had to work with Mr. Entitled and he also found it hilarious that finally someone one upped him and there was nothing he could do about it.

So yes, in that instance I do find it amusing.
But then I also have a dark sense of humor.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

First off I found out I knew the people who repeatedly complained about the perfectly legal, acceptable and occasional daytime target practice.

You made it sound like they were firing guns at 9:55 PM regularly, which was then the original cause of complaint

Funny story. For about a year there was a lot of gunfire at 9:55 every night from the country road behind me. One of the residents was mad that their neighbor was target shooting on their farm. They called the police several times and were told the neighbor was well within their rights to do that until 10pm.

So in retaliation the target shooters were firing off shotguns just before 10pm every night. LOL

 

[ChicNmom]

You made it sound like they were firing guns at 9:55 PM regularly, which was then the original cause of complaint

Oh, no. It was just regular daytime practice, which you hear all the time and the retaliatory gunfire was at night. Sorry I didn't say daytime in the post.

But I guess it still falls under the category of torturing ones neighbor.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Oh, no. It was just regular daytime practice, which you hear all the time and the retaliatory gunfire was at night. Sorry I didn't say daytime in the post.

But I guess it still falls under the category of torturing ones neighbor.

Daytime is entirely reasonable

 

[Debbie292d]

If you know anyone who's good with a drone with a camera, invite them over to video him from above for a few days. That'll drive him bonkers, plus you'll have more evidence.

My son does that for us as our neighbor dumps his and his friends' deer carcasses on the edge of his hunting property 100' from our chicken coop. Not illegal to do that, but neither is it illegal for my son to video him doing it.