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

[DuckMom2022]

We have a coop and run combo and some very lovely hens and one adorable rooster that are great. We have had them for 3 years now and they are wonderful! We keep them very clean and happy. We have a neighbor that does not want us to have a rooster so he shines a light at our coop every morning between 4:30am and 5:30am to get him to crow in the coop to bother the other neighbors. We are currently going through the court systems so yes he may have some bigger issues.

Here is what I am asking for help with. We built the coop so that the ventilation is the top few inches at the very top of the walls underneath the roof. It would be one thing if it were just a light that was on but he manually flashes a spotlight on and off of the coop every morning. (he can hit three of the four sides with his lights) Sometimes he does it on and off for several hours and he also plays gun shots and acoustic beats, etc from speakers to wake him and get him to crow as well.

While we are waiting for the court system to do it's thing we are trying to come up with a solution to block the light from coming in the coop while keeping the ventilation good for the chickens and keeping the other neighbors happy. (it's not good having a rooster crowing at 4:30 in the dark regardless of the reason, for the neighbors or the chickens). I thought about closing in all but one side of the coop and putting a whirly bird on top of the coop but I'm afraid a light shined on that will also reflect down into the coop. I've considered putting foil on the roof inside between the rafters and tacking it down on the sides but I worry about ventilation and I still believe some light will seep in. I've also considered putting a fan in the top of the coop to help with the noise. I tried a noise maker and put foil on the door but it doesn't help when the light is flashed on the coop ceiling from outside or when his loud speakers are played. I'm considering Rockwool insulation to the ceiling but worry about ventilation. The coop is 10 x 14 and the run is 14 x 30. I'm considering 4 large posts and a reflective tarp at this point but that would be rather expensive. I am an older lady so I want to do it once and I really want my chickens to be safe. Any suggestions?

This is horrible! I would get some video evidence as often as possible. That way you can show just how much he is harassing you....and your birds. You want to show the light show he is creating, as well as the sounds. Because it's pretty brazen for him to want people to complain about your rooster when he is blaring loud sounds so early. Some people....I tell ya. Hope this turns out ok!

 

[2 Acres]

We have a coop and run combo and some very lovely hens and one adorable rooster that are great. We have had them for 3 years now and they are wonderful! We keep them very clean and happy. We have a neighbor that does not want us to have a rooster so he shines a light at our coop every morning between 4:30am and 5:30am to get him to crow in the coop to bother the other neighbors. We are currently going through the court systems so yes he may have some bigger issues.

Here is what I am asking for help with. We built the coop so that the ventilation is the top few inches at the very top of the walls underneath the roof. It would be one thing if it were just a light that was on but he manually flashes a spotlight on and off of the coop every morning. (he can hit three of the four sides with his lights) Sometimes he does it on and off for several hours and he also plays gun shots and acoustic beats, etc from speakers to wake him and get him to crow as well.

While we are waiting for the court system to do it's thing we are trying to come up with a solution to block the light from coming in the coop while keeping the ventilation good for the chickens and keeping the other neighbors happy. (it's not good having a rooster crowing at 4:30 in the dark regardless of the reason, for the neighbors or the chickens). I thought about closing in all but one side of the coop and putting a whirly bird on top of the coop but I'm afraid a light shined on that will also reflect down into the coop. I've considered putting foil on the roof inside between the rafters and tacking it down on the sides but I worry about ventilation and I still believe some light will seep in. I've also considered putting a fan in the top of the coop to help with the noise. I tried a noise maker and put foil on the door but it doesn't help when the light is flashed on the coop ceiling from outside or when his loud speakers are played. I'm considering Rockwool insulation to the ceiling but worry about ventilation. The coop is 10 x 14 and the run is 14 x 30. I'm considering 4 large posts and a reflective tarp at this point but that would be rather expensive. I am an older lady so I want to do it once and I really want my chickens to be safe. Any suggestions?

There is no need to go overboard with insulating your coop or taking extra measures. I assume you live in an area that has an Association committee, but still allows small livestock. I know some do that, but have rules against roosters.

IMHO... turn about is fair play. If the one neighbor is the only problem, maybe you can talk to the other neighbors for support, since only one person is the REAL problem. Appeal to the rest of your neighbors for support.

I wouldn't try to make things more reflective. I would paint anything and everything in the coop flat black to try and absorb the light... about two thirds down the coop walls.

But again, talk to the rest of your neighbors first.

I had a similar situation a few years back. My rooster was waking up my neighbor. Eventually he adjusted to it.

If your neighbors are willing to support you, ask them to sign a petition that says the rooster is a "non-issue".

 

[2 Acres]

There is no need to go overboard with insulating your coop or taking extra measures. I assume you live in an area that has an Association committee, but still allows small livestock. I know some do that, but have rules against roosters.

IMHO... turn about is fair play. If the one neighbor is the only problem, maybe you can talk to the other neighbors for support, since only one person is the REAL problem. Appeal to the rest of your neighbors for support.

I wouldn't try to make things more reflective. I would paint anything and everything in the coop flat black to try and absorb the light... about two thirds down the coop walls.

But again, talk to the rest of your neighbors first.

I had a similar situation a few years back. My rooster was waking up my neighbor. Eventually he adjusted to it.

If your neighbors are willing to support you, ask them to sign a petition that says the rooster is a "non-issue".

And extreme bass notes go sub sonic (unhearable by the human ear) but can still be felt. I'm sure the rooster is feeling it, a long with the hens.

Sound like this jerk is trying to get you into trouble.

Again, go door to door to talk to your neighbors. If the rooster bothers most of the neighbors.

But if you can prove this guy is intentionally harassing you rooster, you may have a leg to stand on.

 

[Henny Jenny]

So sad this is happening to you, good advice given, I'd advise a wall of tarp on the sides facing his house a few feet away from the coop if possible, (not knowing which direction your run is facing). I'd have a lot of trouble if that happened to me, as I have 200 chickens, in three large houses each 20'x15'x8'. I pray for the best for you, and hope he gets fined not only for the harassment but your emotional hardship as well. Call the police every single time you see him or hear him so they get recordings and see and hear his behavior. He should be sued, and I'd demand many thousands of $.and a permanent restraining order, and to pay any court and attorney fees.im also having neighbor issues attacking my right to farm. My prayers are with you

Thank you so much. I hope things go well for you.

 

[Henny Jenny]

This sounds like a really taxing, upsetting situation and I'm sorry it's happening to you.



I agree with this. I think it's likely that most of the neighbors know that this guy is a bit off, but I think that explaining that your rooster is being intentionally provoked and acknowledging that they might be annoyed is a good strategy. Even though I live in a rural area with no rooster restrictions, I still walked around to all of my neighbors to tell them I have roosters and let them know that if they were ever being disturbed, please let me know. I think that the courtesy means a lot to people.



I would be more tempted to do this than revamping the coop/run.


Like many others, I find this situation very alarming. I think that modifying the coop feeds into this guy's idea that you are "at war". Even though you are defending your chickens, this man might see it as an escalation. I agree with many posters here that this sounds like a serious mental health issue and unhinged behavior. I realize that these choices might not apply to your situation, but in case they do:
1) You already have your anti-stalking order and court procedures happening. I wonder if your community has any mediation or mental health organizations who might be willing to reach out to this person.
2) It sounds like you are already documenting his behavior. I agree with people who say to consider taking photos or video. You are well within your rights to have a camera pointed out from your house to capture his behavior.
3) I don't know the exact dynamics of your situation and how much your neighborhood sees this guy as a threat. But if there is a neighbor who could act as an ally to you, perhaps they would be willing to speak to him. It might help if it's someone from his demographic (like if he's a white guy in his 60s, finding another white guy in his 60s, if he's an army vet, someone else who's an army vet, etc).

TLDR: I would not go to trouble/expense combating this man's behavior. I would focus instead on documentation and de-escalation, as well as reaching out to neighbors to make them aware of the situation. Honestly, it doesn't sound like this man would think "Oh, the light isn't working anymore. Guess I'll give up!". Seems more like a person who would then escalate to something different and possibly worse.

Thank you for your kind words and ideas. We had another neighbor that used to talk him down, a prosecutor, and now I would imagine his attorney. I agree if he can't get the rooster to crow we are extremely fearful he will escalate even more. We will speak to the neighbors, that is a good suggestion. Thank you

 

[2 Acres]

I agree. He is being criminally charged but continues with the light and sound. Next court date is 1 month away.

Sue for the maximum damages the Court allows... AND file for a restraining/harassment order.

You may have to do that if this situation escalates. Disclaimer... I am not an attorney. Just trying to apply some common sense.

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

Sometimes he does it on and off for several hours and he also plays gun shots and acoustic beats, etc from speakers to wake him and get him to crow as well.

I'm not a legal expert, but I'm pretty sure that playing gun shots and noise loud enough to wake the chickens from an adjacent property is probably loud enough to cause a noise disturbance on its own.
This whole ordeal seems kinda pointless and petty. Your neighbor has every right to not want to live next to chickens and/or a rooster, but sometimes in life you just don't get what you want.

This thread is bizarre.

 

[2 Acres]

I'm not a legal expert, but I'm pretty sure that playing gun shots and noise loud enough to wake the chickens from an adjacent property is probably loud enough to cause a noise disturbance on its own.
This whole ordeal seems kinda pointless and petty. Your neighbor has every right to not want to live next to chickens and/or a rooster, but sometimes in life you just don't get what you want.

This thread is bizarre.

Evil thought... find a very large train whistle that will run off a tank of compressed air.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Maybe you should get a motion detected speaker and play rooster noises when he comes close! Lol!


No, seriously now... Maybe take some old towles and throw them up aganst the ventilation slots, that blocks the light out a bit and keeps ventilation. Or, you could get some black curtains that have slight holes in them to still keep ventilation, yet block out light?

 

[Henny Jenny]

Sue for the maximum damages the Court allows... AND file for a restraining/harassment order.

You may have to do that if this situation escalates. Disclaimer... I am not an attorney. Just trying to apply some common sense.

It is actually the state that charges for these things. Charges and restraining orders are in place. We are stunned it continues. I have never seen anything like it in all my life. I would just like a good nights sleep and so would my critters. Thanks so much for all the kind words and suggestions. Great ideas!