Neighbours Kids Won't Leave Our Ducks Alone!

[Doobly]

doobly! Yes! I feel your pain with unruley neighbors.
I agree to the electric fence .
I would definitely announce this and post " keep off the fence" or " no trespassing " or both!
There's nothing wrong with glaring or electric fences when it comes to protecting helpless creatures being antagonized.

Thanks Feathers! I'm waiting for the day they're in the garden!

 

[Doobly]

Thanks for everyone's advice and stories. It's good to know it's not an unfamiliar situation. I think my next plan of action might be worth going out and asking them not to lean on the fence next time they do it and then speak to the amiable neighbours about it as a safety issue regarding leaning on the fence, and the fence only, if it happens again (I'm almost certain it would!).

The moat idea is good, I'm not sure if my space would allow for it but its given me the idea it might be worth looking at getting some screening so they literally can't see them at all even if they do peer over. If that causes them to enter the garden that's then a different issue. Just a shame about the blocking of light for the quackers.

I think I needed to unload about this! My eldest duck is 6 and I adore him, I just want to live out his last few years peacefully.

 

[Helloworld]

In Ky, where I came from, they put Pea cocks in the cemeteries for protection and company for those there, in Lexington anyway. I would really love one but paying that money to be killed is too much.

As far as your neighbors, it sucks to always have to be the “better man” but all involved needs to replace blame with grace and try to salvage the relationships or move. Usually it is the latter, but every once in the while, compassion can blow a persons mind... especially in these time and days. Good luck!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

God that's horrible. I'm so sorry. We keep finding BB gun pellets in the garden and that's another fear. The peacock though! That's crazy. I've always believed if you live rural you know animals are part of the package. We used to hear a peacock when I still lived with my parents in the New Forest, it was lovely. Had a stray white penhen visit too that one of our Appleyards took a fancy to! They were quite similar in colour Both female and a lot was lost in translation so she got herself pecked a couple of times!

Do you think someone is shooting BBs at the ducks? They might eat those too. Sounds like unruly kids. Unruly kids come from unruly families. Kids learn what they live.
When I was much younger and ran around the neighborhood with my pals, if someone told or asked us not to do something on their property we listened. We also ran around until the street lights came on or mom told us what time to be home for dinner.
If respect is not expected or taught at home, those kids will not respect the values and boundaries of others.

 

[Feathers Brady]

Thanks for everyone's advice and stories. It's good to know it's not an unfamiliar situation. I think my next plan of action might be worth going out and asking them not to lean on the fence next time they do it and then speak to the amiable neighbours about it as a safety issue regarding leaning on the fence, and the fence only, if it happens again (I'm almost certain it would!).

The moat idea is good, I'm not sure if my space would allow for it but its given me the idea it might be worth looking at getting some screening so they literally can't see them at all even if they do peer over. If that causes them to enter the garden that's then a different issue. Just a shame about the blocking of light for the quackers.

I think I needed to unload about this! My eldest duck is 6 and I adore him, I just want to live out his last few years peacefully.

Totally understand! Hope you can resolve the issues for your sake and the duckies! Keep us informed.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I do believe in the old saying, you will catch more flies with honey. .
However I've had my share of problem neighbors and sometimes you do have to be firm to get the point across.
If speaking with parents is an option at all Maybe tell them you are considering putting up a hot wire to deter predators and wanted to give them a heads up so that the kids wouldn't get zapped. Maybe that would open the door to a conversation about them leaning over the fence in the first place and you could then express your concern "for their children" possibly getting injured if the fence would happen to fall

 

[TheLittleFarm18]

You cant control anybody but yourself. Those parents know their kids are bad and talking to them would be like talking to a wall. I would plant some big thorny bushes.

 

[b2c2chicks]

1.) first thing...if someone pointed a security camera at my front door, give them something to talk about

2.) get your own security camera, real or fake...doesn’t matter...just make sure it is seen

3.) hang a sign along the lines of “private property do not feed the ducks” Incase you ever find yourself in a lawsuit (you’ve got your bases covered and it shows you gave fair warning) cops can’t do much if you don’t have proof it’s been a problem beforehand

4.) call the police when you see the hoodlums violating your wishes

5.) electric fence will have you covered but unless you have a sign up, a kid grabs it and has a seizure or something, then the parents may try to come after you for not “formally” warning anybody and having it within reach of their kids.