Problems with neighbours - good suggestions?

[mrsdoodle2]

How do they complain to you----in person? I would just ignore them----they are dealing with a problem. If they are telling you your hens/kids are to noisy----I would just say something right back like I will tell them to quieten down---Thanks! And walk away. I would tell them that every time the say something----unless you don't care to hurt their feelings----if not then you can stir the "pot" by telling to mind their own (blank,blank)business.

Nope, they send messages to my teenage daughter who has been sitting her exams for the last week or so, which is kind of worse. I've suggested any concerns they have they can put in writing and send them to us (the adults) but that hasn't happened so far

 

[mrsdoodle2]

Thanks everyone for your input, as far as I can see from the replies so far we are doing the right sort of things, which is always helpful to see

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I have hens that are so loud, the first time my hubby heard one of them he thought one of my goats was injured and dying. But that is just the announcement the egg is coming. One of them will get to the highest point she can and preach a really loud sermon for a good looong time. And one of my Silkie's is off the hook loud. So I get what you mean by loud hens...

Those neighbors really are a problem. From the way you describe "being pushed around" I think I would avoid them as much as possible and forget the eggs. Eggs are for people who are a little put off but trying to be understanding.

When I lived in the city, my neighbors' gardeners were there at 6 am every week! Yes most places have noise ordinances... My current ordinance says I can have as many chickens as I like... as long as my neighbors don't have a problem with the noise. What about peoples' barking dogs? The hens are essentially the same as a barking dog, say as a stranger walks by. Even IF your kids were loud, SO WHAT!! They are kids and like you say, everybody is doing their daytime routine by that time. As long as they aren't going out of their way to be intrusively loud, I think your neighbor can bite the big one! How cool that you have teenage kids that help out and do chores! I agree with a previous poster that you never know what kind of mental illness or private issues these people are dealing with and you definitely don't want to receive the brunt of it when it spills out. I am usually a kill them with kindness person and have zero issues with my neighbors PARTLY because of it. But your neighbors don't sound like they actually want a solution. And if that is indeed true.. I would ignore them and let them contact the authorities. However, I might be concerned about them tossing something poison or dangerous over the fence. As suggested, if they keep harassing you, I might contact the authorities myself... maybe get a restraining order.

Living next to cruddy neighbors is difficult. Just do your best to maintain your cool, don't let them steal your joy, and continue to enjoy what your family has worked for.

Sorry I don't have better suggestions.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Get more hens.

Ignore them, have your daughter block their number so they need to call you.

Good luck

Gary

 

[jp57]

You could try turning a radio on and pointing it at their property. Shouldn't be illegal as long as it isn't too loud. Maybe that noise will drown out the noise of the hens and people talking on your property. Find out what kind of music they like and you might actually make them happy. People like this are why I moved to a farm surrounded by corn fields. Corn makes the best neighbor.

 

[aart]

Sorry you are going thru this, and that I have no suggestions/solutions.
Again reminded to be grateful that I have no neighbors close.
Never ceases to amaze me some of the things people suggest....
.....mental illness, fear of poisoning...haha!

Agrees with daughter blocking their number and the radio idea might help.

I can understand the neighbors annoyance,
sometimes when my hens are clamoring,
especially a bunch of pullets just beginning to lay,
it annoys the heck out of me, and I close my windows.

Best of luck to you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry you are going thru this, and that I have no suggestions/solutions.
Again reminded to be grateful that I have no neighbors close.
Never ceases to amaze me some of the things people suggest....
.....mental illness, fear of poisoning...haha!

Agrees with daughter blocking their number and the radio idea might help.

I can understand the neighbors annoyance,
sometimes when my hens are clamoring,
especially a bunch of pullets just beginning to lay,
it annoys the heck out of me, and I close my windows.

Best of luck to you.

Ya, I've had some pretty outrageous neighbors... pepper spray my dogs behind the fence. Purposely open the gates to let them out. People are ruthless!

People are seriously crazy these days and you just never know when someone on the edge will snap... and go postal, if you will. One guy asked his neighbors to turn the radio down only to be literally beat to death by a group in front of his wife with a baseball bat, BEFORE the police arrived. Not saying the whole world is like that... ignorance is bliss. But when I lived in the city, I was armed in my own house and back yard FOR A REASON. And it isn't paranoia, I was robbed and had my house ransacked at 10 am while I was gone to the dog park. Needless to say the dog park became an activity of the past. which was probably a good thing because you wouldn't believe some of the mentality there. Never came in the front door without locking it behind me. Home invasions and crazy, stupid neighbors are a sad reality for some people. We worked vary hard to move away from there! It's a different life now.

So even if the suggestion amazes you.. just know EVERYBODY has reasons they do what they do, even if it doesn't make sense to us. Hopefully it just amazed you that you don't have to put up with it, not thinking I was grasping at straws. I have at least 2 neighbors within ear shot that I can guarantee have BS drama in their life all the time. 1 who every neighbor except me has a battle with. When he tried that with me, I squashed it by being nice... and recognizing he has issues (both semi mental but also back pain is a real bother for people who suffer constantly from it) so as not to escalate. But I know that doesn't always help.

I am very thankful not to live in the city on my neighbors back porch any more! I LOVE my current neighbors who are ALMOST far enough away. It would be better if I couldn't see them, of course.

I too can understand the neighbors annoyance, and have those days myself. My hubby does work nights. But sleeping through daytime noise is one of the factors we considered before he took that shift.

I did consider the radio, but would have suggested as a retaliation. And that isn't my style, so didn't. But as a background noise to drown out other noise as others suggested might be helpful.

 

[shsesc]

This should be in "predators and PESTS" as it has nothing to do with managing your flock.

 

[Akrnaf2]

Add 10 males peacock to you property, after their first complain take them back, after this, your hens noise, will be nothing for them!

Just ignore them.

 

[hlhutchinson]

kill them with kindness Sounds like they will not be happy with whatever happens besides you giving your chickens away. There complaints are a bit over kill. My sisters has neighbors and they put there coop right outside their bedroom window, she just laughs it off and enjoys the random free eggs that they get.
Offer them free eggs occasionally, smile and walk away. I don't think confronting them about there complaints would help at all. Sounds like you are not breaking any regulations or being inconsiderate. Just the fact that they complain about nois at 8am is going a bit far. Good luck