Neighbour complaing about the 'thud' noise of my treadle feeder. I'm thinking of ...

[FlippinFancyFeathers]

Yep! Unfortunately, I live on a corner block where one neighbour never complains whilst the other always does. Well, recently she hasn't complained because my dog is old and rarely barks. The only neighbours who are safe from her complaints are people who don't have dogs or children, (she has a reputation) unless you make any unnecessary noise like a sprinkler hitting the fence, or you put a bin too close to her house (It was on my side of the fence!), etc. The stories I could tell! Anyway, I'm making preparations to acquiring 6 chickens (mostly raised from eggs) and she won't be happy about my new pets but, as the council was impressed with my setup last time, she won't be able to cause problems.
Though, last time, I had to prop up the lid of my treadle feeders because she was complaining about the sound the lid makes when it comes down. So, I put in rubber inserts but she still complained about the 'thud' sounds it makes. Thus, having to prop up the lid defeating the whole purpose of the treadle feeders & money spent on them! I'm thinking of somehow installing some sort of hydraulic/pneumatic cabinet door jambs or whatever you call them to reduce the sound further. What do you guys think? Any better ideas? It's going to be difficult drilling through the stainless steel plus it will probably go rusty after being outside for a while. Maybe not such a good idea. Maybe just leave as is or sell them & just build one of those feeders made out of pvc. Any ideas or suggestions? Anyone?

 

[Debbie292d]

Yep! Unfortunately, I live on a corner block where one neighbour never complains whilst the other always does. Well, recently she hasn't complained because my dog is old and rarely barks. The only neighbours who are safe from her complaints are people who don't have dogs or children, (she has a reputation) unless you make any unnecessary noise like a sprinkler hitting the fence, or you put a bin too close to her house (It was on my side of the fence!), etc. The stories I could tell! Anyway, I'm making preparations to acquiring 6 chickens (mostly raised from eggs) and she won't be happy about my new pets but, as the council was impressed with my setup last time, she won't be able to cause problems.
Though, last time, I had to prop up the lid of my treadle feeders because she was complaining about the sound the lid makes when it comes down. So, I put in rubber inserts but she still complained about the 'thud' sounds it makes. Thus, having to prop up the lid defeating the whole purpose of the treadle feeders & money spent on them! I'm thinking of somehow installing some sort of hydraulic/pneumatic cabinet door jambs or whatever you call them to reduce the sound further. What do you guys think? Any better ideas? It's going to be difficult drilling through the stainless steel plus it will probably go rusty after being outside for a while. Maybe not such a good idea. Maybe just leave as is or sell them & just build one of those feeders made out of pvc. Any ideas or suggestions? Anyone?

How many thuds do 6 chickens make? Don't they eat at the same time, so it's only a couple of thuds, and then off they go to eat grass or bugs?

I don't have one, but I can't imagine the thud is even half as loud as a barking dog. I know you're trying to appease her, but this is beyond reasonable to me to have to ruin expensive feeders because she is bothered by the supposed noise from it.

Do you have mice/rat/chipmunk problems getting into your feed? If so, I'd leave your feeder as is and just let her complain about it. Your chickens have to eat.

If you do not have any varment issues, then maybe it would be simpler to try sell the feeder for close to what you paid, and do PVC, bucket, or other type of feeder.

 

[Loving my girls]

Oh for goodness sake this woman needs to get a life

 

[Muser]

Get a cockerel, she will no longer complain about the snapping sound of the feeder. Also let him free roam your front garden and put a sign up with 'Aggressive cockerel free roaming, enter at own risk' - problem solved

In all seriousness, i wouldn't worry about her complaints. The more you adjust, the more they find to complain about. My one friend growing up, we had to whisper when we were over their house because their neighbour said they could hear us through the gaps in the walls... the houses weren't even attached, some people are really weird.

Good luck with your chicken setup and keep the feeder, I would worry more about the vermin than the noise. Maybe put some tape or rubber along the edge for a buffer when in closes?

 

[FlippinFancyFeathers]

How many thuds do 6 chickens make? Don't they eat at the same time, so it's only a couple of thuds, and then off they go to eat grass or bugs?

I don't have one, but I can't imagine the thud is even half as loud as a barking dog. I know you're trying to appease her, but this is beyond reasonable to me to have to ruin expensive feeders because she is bothered by the supposed noise from it.

Do you have mice/rat/chipmunk problems getting into your feed? If so, I'd leave your feeder as is and just let her complain about it. Your chickens have to eat.

If you do not have any varment issues, then maybe it would be simpler to try sell the feeder for close to what you paid, and do PVC, bucket, or other type of feeder.

Agree! Totally! Debbie292d,

My other neighbour didn't complain & she's just as near! In fact, nearer! Their doorway & windows are much closer! Hadn't realised that until now! The chickens won't be using the treadle feeders until they're fully grown anyway. Unfortunately, there is a mouse plague in Adelaide. Has been for many years. On the rare occasion (fortunately), my cats proudly bring them inside to show me often releasing them & then, the mouse scurries to safety. I wish my cats wouldn't do this! It takes ages to catch them! At least, since the last few years, I've been without chickens, I know the chickens are not attracting them. Recently, I've been replacing some of the chicken wire surrounding the run with hardware cloth (stronger wire). Some sections were made with chicken wire. I didn't know any better at the time. Now I do. I'm also putting more stone slabs around the perimeter, inside and outside, & cementing some areas. That should stop them burrowing through. I found a couple of places where the scamps had burrowed through before! They won't be able to now! Well, when I've finished. I might try again with the treadle feeders & when she complains, I'll just explain that its to prevent any mice getting to the food (though I'm sure I did last time). See what happens. The mice aren't heavy enough to cause the lid to lift up, you see. If the 'Karen' neighbour reports the 'thud' noise problem to the Council, it'll be interesting to see what they say. I'll just go from there.

Good point about 'damaging the treadle feeders.'

Personally, I think she's being silly. I appreciate that you think as I do. It's nice to have someone confirm my thoughts. Thank you, Debbie292d!

 

[FlippinFancyFeathers]

Oh for goodness sake this woman needs to get a life

Agree! My children say I shouldn't have to put up with all that goes on from her! I must admit, it's difficult to relax in my own backyard at times. I'm just going to have to learn to ignore her, especially after I get the chickens and, hopefully, after things settle down. I'm NOT going to let her stop me from getting chickens again!

Thanks for making me laugh, Loving My Girls!

 

[FlippinFancyFeathers]

Get a cockerel, she will no longer complain about the snapping sound of the feeder. Also let him free roam your front garden and put a sign up with 'Aggressive cockerel free roaming, enter at own risk' - problem solved

In all seriousness, i wouldn't worry about her complaints. The more you adjust, the more they find to complain about. My one friend growing up, we had to whisper when we were over their house because their neighbour said they could hear us through the gaps in the walls... the houses weren't even attached, some people are really weird.

Good luck with your chicken setup and keep the feeder, I would worry more about the vermin than the noise. Maybe put some tape or rubber along the edge for a buffer when in closes?

You're funny! Actually, I was thinking of putting up a similar sign! Same sense of humour! Actually, I did put rubber along the edges. Muffled the thud but she still complained!

About your friend's neighbour, sounds like mine! My children, when they were younger, couldn't play in the cauld-de-sac which both houses overlooked and I could watch them from the kitchen window. Spoiled that for us. The neighbour on the otherside of 'Karen', she screamed at them for accidentally kicking a ball against the fence. That must've made it difficult for them to play in their own backyard! They were new neighbours. They moved soon afterwards. Of course, at the time, I went around to give them support.

Thanks for your input, Muser, and the laugh!

 

[KatsHerd]

Yep! Unfortunately, I live on a corner block where one neighbour never complains whilst the other always does. Well, recently she hasn't complained because my dog is old and rarely barks. The only neighbours who are safe from her complaints are people who don't have dogs or children, (she has a reputation) unless you make any unnecessary noise like a sprinkler hitting the fence, or you put a bin too close to her house (It was on my side of the fence!), etc. The stories I could tell! Anyway, I'm making preparations to acquiring 6 chickens (mostly raised from eggs) and she won't be happy about my new pets but, as the council was impressed with my setup last time, she won't be able to cause problems.
Though, last time, I had to prop up the lid of my treadle feeders because she was complaining about the sound the lid makes when it comes down. So, I put in rubber inserts but she still complained about the 'thud' sounds it makes. Thus, having to prop up the lid defeating the whole purpose of the treadle feeders & money spent on them! I'm thinking of somehow installing some sort of hydraulic/pneumatic cabinet door jambs or whatever you call them to reduce the sound further. What do you guys think? Any better ideas? It's going to be difficult drilling through the stainless steel plus it will probably go rusty after being outside for a while. Maybe not such a good idea. Maybe just leave as is or sell them & just build one of those feeders made out of pvc. Any ideas or suggestions? Anyone?

You sound like a great neighbour! I just know that couldn't be me. I'm too petty with petty people! but honestly, I would leave it. If they keep complaining, and you obviously want to keep things neighbourly, just tell them that unfortunately you have tried to fix it to no avail, and you can swing some eggs their way occasionally to keep everyone happy. But honestly, I think they need to grow up & get a hobby. I've had neighbours from hell & they only got worse until I threatened the cops as I had video footage of them beating their dogs (after threatening me with RSPCA for my dogs being outside). Now I wouldn't say threatening them is the answer, but I personally would leave it, ignore all complaints & advise them to take it up with council & waste someone else's time. good luck! What a pain having to deal with that.

 

[Muser]

You're funny! Actually, I was thinking of putting up a similar sign! Same sense of humour! Actually, I did put rubber along the edges. Muffled the thud but she still complained!

About your friend's neighbour, sounds like mine! My children, when they were younger, couldn't play in the cauld-de-sac which both houses overlooked and I could watch them from the kitchen window. Spoiled that for us. The neighbour on the otherside of 'Karen', she screamed at them for accidentally kicking a ball against the fence. That must've made it difficult for them to play in their own backyard! They were new neighbours. They moved soon afterwards. Of course, at the time, I went around to give them support.

Thanks for your input, Muser, and the laugh!

Awwe thanks for the compliment, made my morning It's unfortunate that one person can spoil it for the many. We are a community and act better as one! I give my neighbours free eggs as they've been so good. We had a rather loud cockerel last year and not one of our neighbours complained... one even said they liked the noise in the morning! They get free eggies as a good gesture

Karens get no eggies.

 

[FlippinFancyFeathers]

You sound like a great neighbour! I just know that couldn't be me. I'm too petty with petty people! but honestly, I would leave it. If they keep complaining, and you obviously want to keep things neighbourly, just tell them that unfortunately you have tried to fix it to no avail, and you can swing some eggs their way occasionally to keep everyone happy. But honestly, I think they need to grow up & get a hobby. I've had neighbours from hell & they only got worse until I threatened the cops as I had video footage of them beating their dogs (after threatening me with RSPCA for my dogs being outside). Now I wouldn't say threatening them is the answer, but I personally would leave it, ignore all complaints & advise them to take it up with council & waste someone else's time. good luck! What a pain having to deal with that.

Thanks, KatsHerd! I appreciate the words. Your neighbours sound horrid! Can't believe they treated their dogs like that! Sadly, I can. There are some sick people in the world. I hope you reported them anyway, anonymously. My daughter is all grown up & different to me. She would give back with no qualms. No nonsense. No hesitation. Like yourself. Me? I'd ponder & try to look at both sides. She says I'm too kind and gentle for my own good. I was lost when it came to bullies at school when I was a kid. So, it happened a lot! My parents just told me to show the other cheek. That didn't help! My son and daughter showed me how to deal with them. Sadly, it should've been the other way around! I still can't stop myself from pondering and weighing whenever I come across not-so-nice people! I know it must be a knee jerk reaction to respond. Sigh!

Thus far, all responders to my situation are saying similar things. That's a great help in deciding what to do.

Thanks again, KatsHerd!