Someone keeps making complaints about my chickens! (Update post #222!)

[Andora]

And I don't know who it is! This is driving me crazy. There are no ordinances relating to poultry in my town.

My chickens mostly mind their own business.

It's hard to see in my yard because there's a huge garage on one side of the property line and a tree line on the opposite side. The very back of the yard is just short chain link but an older couple lives there and they like the chickens and live part time on a farm where they raise livestock. The old man always gives me great chicken advice and helped me build my cooler bator.

The two people who live at the corners of my backyard both have privacy fencing.

Who could be complaining??

First the city building inspector/code enforcer came out about a month ago. He said everything was fine he just had to investigate a complaint.

Today two people from the health department came out and wanted to inspect my chickens. They said there was no odor and everything looked fine. They noted that there was no feces on the ground and few flies. Thank you lime and DE!

What next?

The funny thing is, if the neighbors who keep complaining would just tell me what is bothering them I would gladly try to fix it. But since they just keep making general complaints I don't know what to fix. Maybe they just want me to get rid of my birds? That's not going to happen!

What should I do?

 

[jerseygirl1]

Hmm, maybe someone is peaking over your fence

 

[Boyd]

get some long crowers

 

[scbatz33]

See, it's those snobby south lexingtonians, they just know someone is enjoying themselves somewhere in teh fayette-urban county line!!!!

Sorry someone is being such a turd. I know you were worried about rooster noises a while back. It's a shame when folks just can't leave other folks alone.

 

[miss_thenorth]

If they are legal, there isn't any one left they can call, is there?

do you have a community mailbox or something? If so, make up a flyer saying Chickens are legal here, but if you have any concerns/complaints, or if you would like to buy fresh eggs, please feel free to contact me.

It irks me when people don't have the nerve to confront others, and jsut call the authorities.

If that fails, my neighbour has a rooster that never stops crowing--wanna borrow him?

 

[Andora]

The complaining is STILL going on.

I've had 3 visits from "code enforcers" and 2 visits from the Fayette county health department.

The health department said everything is fine, looks great, no problem.

The code enforcers are complete idiots who have never read the ordinances.

They noted that I have swans and those apparently aren't allowed.

My "swans" are actually pekin ducks, and then they said those are game birds and not allowed.

Kentucky state law defines poultry and fowl to include ducks, so...? Pekin ducks are not game birds!

Then they tried to tell me that the few birds walking around my fenced in yard outside of the pen are a violation of codes. The ordinance says specifically that birds must be on your property, that's it. There is no wording that says they have to be caged!

Today another enforcer stopped by but I refused to answer the door and he left a card saying to call.

WHAT NOW??

I do have 2 roosters, they don't crow very much. And oddly no one has complained about the roosters yet specifically.

I hate feeling like I have to hide in my house because these people can just enter my backyard whenever they feel like it. It seems like I don't even own my own place.

 

[Andora]

This is what the code says about fowl:

Sec. 4-10. Fowl going at large.
(a) No person owning or having in his custody and control any fowl shall permit same to run at large, or to go upon the grounds or property of another, or beyond the bounds of the property of such owner or person in control of such fowl.
(b) Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be fined not less than one dollar ($1.00) nor more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each offense.

Nothing about them being caged, right? They aren't "running at large" if they are fenced into my yard.

 

[Wifezilla]

Nope. I would call the code enforcers supervisors and say that you are being harassed and you would appreciate that the code enforcers actually read the code before visiting your property again. Also post no trespassing signs. Maybe enlarge a copy of the code and post it on your fence.

 

[1stepcloser]

What IS it with people that can't let others be?? Seriously! That is one of the main reasons I cannot wait to move out into the country with no nearby neighbors.

 

[AHappychick]

do you have a friend or perhaps family member that is an attorney. cause a letter saying you are in no violation and quoting the code, then saying further investigations would be considered harassment on letter head from a lawyer would go a long way I think.