Hello. I have been raising chickens off and on for over 10 years. Unfortunately, some newish neighbors and some old ones, as well, object to how I raise my birds. My birds are well cared for, but people who have never had them cannot understand the noises they make and why. There has not been a verbal confrontation, or discussion because they will not respond, and I am on the spectrum, so talking is not my strong suit. Generally they rush outside (they live 2 doors down) and shine lights on me in my yard and have encouraged others to do the same everyone I am outside and a chicken peeps. If o touch them at any point they rush out and begin screaming. I am at my wits end with these folks. I try to ignore them, and now the person who lives behind me shines his headlights on me as I check on the birds before bed. Mind you, they do not make a sound when I look on on them.
If I so much as handle my birds out of their sight, they throw a fit. I guess because they cannot see me and my birds are not accustomed to being held, they assume the worst. A few weeks ago, my rooster was screeching and I was seated on the side of my house. The neighbors did a 3-point turn in my driveway, and then went into the driveway of the other house across the street to look down where I was seated. It is impossible to see where I was so they went home. The next night, 4 floodlights from the neighboring homes turned on when I went out. People were whistling and calling to me. The next day, someone was cursing at me. I try to ignore it. I am at my wits end and am contemplating getting rid of my birds and abandoning my garden. If I so much as walk up the street and pass their home, they violently open the screen door. I have never turned and looked at them, so I do not know if they come out.
I think this may be a consequence of my next-door neighbor whose son stabbed my duck about 7 years ago. (He was in my backyard poking my bleeding duck and there was the bloody stick next to them. We had to inform his parents to come get him out of the yard.) They were enraged that we thought he did it (the other neighbor did too). The duck died. The kid’s behavioral problems increasedThey started dumping trash in my backyard. I threw said trash in the trash can. I feel his mother may have spread rumors and I heard one of them. She moved several months ago. The other members of my household had good rapport with that family, but they hated me.
Does anyone have any advice? Someone I live with has tried to talk to one household, but was literally waved on. They did not want to talk. I can provide more detail if need be. I am crushed that I am the pariah of the neighborhood and nobody has thought to ask me anything.
Edit: There are many roosters on my street.
If I so much as handle my birds out of their sight, they throw a fit. I guess because they cannot see me and my birds are not accustomed to being held, they assume the worst. A few weeks ago, my rooster was screeching and I was seated on the side of my house. The neighbors did a 3-point turn in my driveway, and then went into the driveway of the other house across the street to look down where I was seated. It is impossible to see where I was so they went home. The next night, 4 floodlights from the neighboring homes turned on when I went out. People were whistling and calling to me. The next day, someone was cursing at me. I try to ignore it. I am at my wits end and am contemplating getting rid of my birds and abandoning my garden. If I so much as walk up the street and pass their home, they violently open the screen door. I have never turned and looked at them, so I do not know if they come out.
I think this may be a consequence of my next-door neighbor whose son stabbed my duck about 7 years ago. (He was in my backyard poking my bleeding duck and there was the bloody stick next to them. We had to inform his parents to come get him out of the yard.) They were enraged that we thought he did it (the other neighbor did too). The duck died. The kid’s behavioral problems increasedThey started dumping trash in my backyard. I threw said trash in the trash can. I feel his mother may have spread rumors and I heard one of them. She moved several months ago. The other members of my household had good rapport with that family, but they hated me.
Does anyone have any advice? Someone I live with has tried to talk to one household, but was literally waved on. They did not want to talk. I can provide more detail if need be. I am crushed that I am the pariah of the neighborhood and nobody has thought to ask me anything.
Edit: There are many roosters on my street.
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I believe the most successful step to a happier live possibly will be to make a new start somewhere else. With the help of family or friends to let you get acquainted with you’re new neighbours.
