the Neighbors

[7peeplings]

(please advise if "keeping your flock" is not the best area for my question about talking with the neighbors.
HI! I still have no coop, but i'm selling things on craigslist to save $ for it!.... Just putting the pieces together, and I will be telling/asking/presenting/?.... it to my suburban (3) neighbors soon. I understand that owning 3 hens will not make any noise for them, and I am very happy to harvest chicken manuer aggressively for my garden (and avoid smell complaints). But what else to you say to the person who lives 5 feet from the coop...?
Thank you for any ideas!
~ the NEW EGG.

 

[speckledhen]

Seriously? Five feet from the coop are your neighbors? Or do you mean property lines, as in you are planning to build a coop 5' from the line? If they are legal to keep, I wouldn't say anything at all to them, but if not, what will you do if they object to them? Folks can be so weird and off-base about chickens. Can you put the coop further from the line?

 

[b.hromada]

You're right, people can be so negative about owning chickens!

I really don't have an answer for you, as to what to say to them. If they are allowed in your area, just get them, and not say anything at all.

Just keep them cleaned up like you stated, and with a little luck, you should have no problem.

Best of luck.

 

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

Sometimes it is better to ask forgiveness than ask permission!

 

[TwoChicks]

Maybe offering eggs will help the transition. Plus if they have kids, maybe asking them to help harvest will garner some favor.

 

[gkeesling]

Even if it is legal to have chickens where you live, it still would be good to let the neighbors know you are going to get them and they will be hens, and you will be keeping things cleaned up. If it's legal you can have them then it's not necessary to ask permission, but it would be neighborly to let them know what's going on. 5' from the neighbor's house? That doesn't quite sound right.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Keep in mind that all hens are not quiet. I've had some that would be considered by others to be more annoying than a roo, especially at only 5'. I hope your neighbors like chickens.

 

[speckledhen]

I've never understood asking the neighbors if anyone can have chickens if it's legal. They never ask you if they can get a cat (and most have the run of the n'hood

) or a dog. Have you looked up your local ordinances and/or neighborhood covenants? That would influence your course of action.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Quote:
I think that maybe that the OP is just trying to be considerate being that the coop is only going to be 5' from their house. That's the way I interpreted it anyway. I agree though, if it's legal and they want them, get them.

 

[teach1rusl]

Do you know the neighbors??? Taking a few of your new babies (assuming you're getting chicks) around in a cute little box or basket to "show them off" might charm them. Like "Hi! I just wanted to show you my new pets..." Of course that depends on your relationship with them. They'd probably Ohhhh and Ahhhh over them as tinies, and ask you questions, and might become interested. Then you can educate them. Keeping the coop neat and well maintained will help, as will taking around an occasional egg or two. Keeping them contained in your own yard will probably be important too; many folks don't like their landscaping messed with, nor do they like stepping in chicken poo... Good luck!