shooting trespassing chickens?

[Jennyhaschicks]

I don't care to argue the point that I am responsible for my chickens. I KNOW THIS! Thanks though. We own 3 sides on our neighbors lot. They own one acre. We don't allow the chickens to wander over to their yard. I am home all day and keep close tabs on them. They occasionally walk on one section of their lawn and the neighbors don't like that.
We were going to put up a fence in the beginning. They whined and whined saying that they would feel suffocated if we put up a 6 foot fence around them. I guess we learned where trying to keep the peace got us. They they wanted a fence. Then didn't want a fence. Then they sprung it on us that they were going to shoot the chickens because they got on their lawn for a bit yesterday..

I don't abuse their lawn. I keep my chickens in when I am not home. They might make it over to their section of lawn once a week.
Obviously there are two sides to this story which I am sure those of you are going to argue. I have done them MANY favors which include taking care of their animals while they have gone on trips, untangling their dog from a post while they were at work so he could have access to his water during a hot day. I did this for years.. But anyway, see where it got me.
I said I would keep them in until we got fencing up this week.

I came here to ask about what laws there are to protect my chickens. I am not as worried about it today as I was yesterday because they were outside until dusk. You are all know it's hard to wrangle up chickens to get them inside during the day.

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

Quote:
To answer your questions..
We live in a small town. There are not any laws against discharging fire arms. I hope to God he wouldn't be shooting towards my house.
We are finding out how close to the prop. line we can put up a fence.
The specific concern they have is just that they don't like chickens. They have never eaten any of their shrubs because I am like radar. They have never gotten too far on their property because I keep a close eye on them. I offered eggs. They don't want any.

 

[RubberChickenLubber]

Quote:
Believe it or not, that depends on your state. I was looking up livestock laws in nc last year, and found out that in just the last few years, nc went from a fence out state (homeowner's responsibility to put fence up to keep animals off of their property) to a fence in state (home/animal owner's responsibility to fence thier animals on their property). I had never heard of this till I was researching.

ETA: Even if the law is a fence out, I still think the responsibility should fall on the animal owner.

 

[farrier!]

As far as where to put the fence it can go right on the property line!

Glad you got all your feathered friends in.

I have been ignoring my neighbors pack of 6 dogs and just building the chicken house to keep them out. I like that neighbor! Now the idiot with the drunk people sign and the dog that runs through the electric fence then calls to complain about the one horse out is another matter. Wish he would sell his house and be gone!

It gets real frustrating when you try and the neighbor will not.

 

[Wifezilla]

As far as where to put the fence it can go right on the property line!

Not necessarily. In my area of Colorado, you have to have a 4' set back UNLESS you come to a special agreement with the neighbor.​

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

My neighbors said that they don't care how close to the line we put the fence up. We are still going to check into it so we don't have any trouble once we put it up. We would not feel right about putting in RIGHT on the line even if that is an option. We would probably at least put it out 2 feet or so.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
The reason for needing a permit for taller fences (and there are probably more specific requirements than you state) is to ensure structural integrity & safety. Not sure, but the requirements could be part of the building code (one of several codes developed by standards organizations; most US cities/towns/counties formally adopt either the International Building Code or the Uniform Building Code.

This is not zoning code, which says what may and may not be done; this is about construction methods to ensure that a structure is built in a manner so that it does not present a hazard--for example wind shouldn't blow over a fence, possibly injuring someone or damaging something.

Zoning code, however may tell you what materials you may (or may not) use, or whether the structure is even allowed. In some places chain link is not allowed; in others wooden fences are not allowed; some places don;t allow fences. In my city, zoning gives a maximum height to a fence bordering or in the front yard. If you have sufficient reason, you can get a variance.

 

[rancher hicks]

First of all I would find out the repercussions of putting it 2 ft back. If you can lay it right on the line (pun intended) put it there.
Second it was obvious from the first post that the fence was the solution and question was answered, so can't we just have a little fun, w/o getting OMG? It'll all work out.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Not necessarily. In my area of Colorado, you have to have a 4' set back UNLESS you come to a special agreement with the neighbor.

Yes, you have to check your local zoning--it will vary from one place to another.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Yes, there could be a problem with setting it back--it could be viewed as abandoning those two feet, essentially giving them to your neighbor. If you can do so legally, building the fence so that its outermost edge is on your side of the property line you avoid that problem.