Roos vs. Neighbors-Need Advice

[kenman]

I live in a small (pop. 1000) rural town. I started with my chickens last year with 50 heavy breed birds. I had about 20 roosters that I processed at about 18 weeks. The reason I processed was that they had started crowing. 20 teenage roosters was more than even I could handle. Nobody complained, but they had the right too if they wanted. I kept back one Delaware. He crows several times a day. Then about 7-8 months ago, I began hearing more crows from different parts of town as others joined the backyard chicken revolution. My point is, don't be abusive with your roosters (which it doesn't sound like you are) and more than likely, you will begin to hear others as more people begin to realize the benefits of eggs, fertilizer, etc. Plant the seed or in case grow your birds, and see what grows from it. I like selling my eggs, but I would rather have other flocks around, it gives me something to talk to my neighbors about other than the weather!

 

[Irishrooster]

Hi im new to BYC. I started with chickens about 2 years ago and i got four baby chicks and they all ended up being bantam roosters. When they started crowing my neighbor couldnt stand it he called the police on us

but luckily there are no laws against the crowing. But my parents ( Im only in middle school

) made me get rid of them. But I say keep them if you can theres nothing better then a rooster to protect the girls.

 

[rufus]

Wait until you get the pigs!

If you let a neighbor bully you into getting rid of your roosters, the chickens will be the next thing they will complain about. People like that cannot let anything be. They have to pester you until they totally dominmate the whole neighborhood.

Turn tables on them. Report them to child protective services, call immigration every time they have the yard man working or any maintenance done.

Make notes of the license plate numbers of all cars parking at their house. Be sure and note the times of arrival and departure. Make no bones about this, if they know you are watching them they will leave you alone. Invest in a pair of binnoculars, watch their house.

Call the cops if there is any loud conversation or popping possible gun shot noises.

Be the neighbor from hail.

Rufus

 

[mylilchix]

I think my neighbors are ignorant about why people raise chickens. Neighbors 2 houses down from them had goats and horses for Pete's sake. They don't understand that we're going this to become more self sufficent and to provide an awesome educational experience for our children. I have talked to one neighbor about the roos, and they don't bother him. T

hese neighbors don't like us because we're going against the grain. They're also snow birds who prefer their AZ home. (Wish they'd move!) I think I need to educate them about why we have roos. I also like the idea of keeping tabs on them. They have a burn barrel that they uses on occasion. The thing produces such horrid black smoke that we've had to close up our home on a hot day and it's caused major problems for my asthmatic 5 y/o. I didn't say a word because I wanted to be neighborly. Ha!!

I'm still thinking a moat with alligators is the way to go.

Sonja

 

[Uppity Peon]

Yes, I think they are ignorant. A lot of wealthy city folk move out to the country where they think it is going to be so quiet. Then they get annoyed by the sound of neighbors' animals and the smell of the barns. The problem is in their expectations.

But if these people are really nasty I would make sure the fences are good, the property is posted, and maybe have some security cameras. No need to escalate the situation, just stand up for your rights.

 

[socks]

I agree, no need to escalate the situation--I mean does anyone need another enemy??

Just do what you are doing (good fences always a good idea) and believe me, if the country doesn't suit them they will leave. I see it all the time with people who move to my area which is beautiful but has it's challenges. It takes about 2 years for them to move back to the city.


For my part I am glad I no longer live in 'hound dog holler' as I called this place when I first moved in. I said nothing but I think everyone just got sick of hearing each other's dog get the other ones to howling and now there are there are no day-long barkers just a handful of mild mannered dogs.

Good luck

 

[Happy Chooks]

I agree and ignore the neighbor.

I live on 5 acres, and I hear someone's rooster and it's pretty far away. I don't have a rooster, but I'm contemplating getting one. (if I didn't have kids, I'd probably already have one) Most of my neighbors have dogs that bark at all hours of the day AND night, so they have no room to complain. We're zoned agricultural, so I'm allowed to have ANY animal/livestock I want.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

I go with the just ignore him as well. As long as you are zoned for livestock you can do what you want.

Steve in NC

 

[twentynine]

Law says you can have'em, you can have'em.

I garauntee you get rid of your roosters their is not going to be an end to the complaining. You will either be "the nut case with the chickens" or "the nut case that had the chickens". Either way it don't matter, those people will not be your friends, they will not be thankful that you got ride of YOUR roosters. You can't put a reason for not liking those guys, well you got one now.

Keep your chickens home on your property, and mind your own farm. Hopefully your nieghbor will learn to do the same.

I agree with one of the previous posters. If'n he don't want to hear chickens, he ought to move to where they ain't no chickens.

One more thing. He ain't speaking for "all the nieghbors" that is an alibi it allows him to have more force in his speech. He's full of BOLOGNA!

 

[The Wolf Queen]

Tell your neighbor to mind his own stinkin business. Its legal and he can just enjoy the chorus. (Devilish Grin)