the Neighbors

[speckledhen]

Each situation calls for a solution tailored to the people involved. I'm not saying you should never talk to your neighbors about your birds, but I personally would not, being completely legal and mine fenced on my property. I get along fine with my neighbors quite well because most are reasonable people and understand that they are living in the country. New folks who move in later may not be so easygoing.

 

[redhen]

if its legal to have chickens..then dont ask your neighbors permission. I'd tell them AFTER you got the birds..and maybe offer them a few eggs to try..just to be nice.
actually..i'd NOT tell them at all... Just in case they want to make trouble for you.... the less they know the better..
i'd only tell them if they find out on their own that you have chickens...then maybe offer them a few eggs to try....

 

[tdgill]

yeah, what she said...
and if its ILLEGAL - its a sick bird! hahahahaha

 

[LittleFeat]

This thread seems to have strayed a little from the original topic in that I've seen nowhere where the OP said she was going to ask permission. She mentioned "asking" but that could just mean to get their opinion. I didn't see the word "permission" used anywhere. I definitely was not asking permission of my neighbors and didn't mention it at all to the people behind me. I don't know them. But on each side, we are close and get along great. I let them both know what my plans were and what I was building.

When I or my neighbors go out of town we let the other know. It's just a courtesy to help each other out and have someone "watching our back" so to speak. Middle of winter when a pipe froze and burst, it was nice that I had a neighbor call and let me know there was water running down my driveway. They turned our water off at the valve and instead of it flooding our house for 6 hours till we got home from work, it was only about 30 minutes. Of course they could have minded their own business and just let it run all day! I guess it does depend on your neighbors and I feel very fortunate to have the ones I have.

 

[tdgill]

yes good neighbors are good to have. so are good fences.

this would be me...

"hi there neighbor! I'm thinking on getting some chickens but I wanted to mention it to you because I don't want you to be afraid of avian flu, or the flies that might be around, or the chicken poop smelling. Because it won't. Also, not to worry about my coop attracting rats or mice anymore than your dog food bowl on the back deck...And hawks. But I doubt they will bother your kittens or chihuahua either. This won't be a smelly filthy farm either..."

I have a habit of saying the wrong thing.

 

[speckledhen]

This thread seems to have strayed a little from the original topic in that I've seen nowhere where the OP said she was going to ask permission. She mentioned "asking" but that could just mean to get their opinion. I didn't see the word "permission" used anywhere. I definitely was not asking permission of my neighbors and didn't mention it at all to the people behind me. I don't know them. But on each side, we are close and get along great. I let them both know what my plans were and what I was building.

I think that was brought up because the act of talking to them about something you plan to do may be construed by the neighbor as asking permission.​

 

[Jeffa]

Had some flatlanders out of Massachusetts buy the property next to me a few years back. They complained to me that my chicken coop was too close to their property and they didn't like the smell. I said "No problem, new neighbors....let me remedy that for ya's". I built a new coop for the chickens about 300 yards away from the old one. Then I built a new pig sty where the old chicken coop used to be. I wonder why they never came over and thanked me for moving my chickens?? I guess I will never understand city folk.......

 

[WisconsinGardenChick]

Quote:
Its called being polite. Especially if you are going to be five feet from them. Cramped in the city and having chickens can be a lot different than being in the burbs or in the country.

I agree with speckledhen. I wouldn't (and didn't) ask. But I did talk to my neighbors. My approach was to talk about how excited I was about the project, the research I was doing, what the ordinances were and how I would be in compliance. All in a burbly happy way- but also showing I wasn't going to be causing problems, that I had some idea of what I was doing, and that I was "legal." If they like you at all, they'll find it hard to rain on your parade. But even if they do, they know in advance that they don't have any legal standing for complaints.

Katherine

 

[WisconsinGardenChick]

Quote:
I completely agree, Cynthia. And it doesn't mean you are not a "nice" person. Sounds to me like you are not a "fake" person. Why ask, if you're legal and going to get them anyway?

Katherine

 

[BedHead]

I had to talk to my neighbours to ask permission to be in a pilot project and one of them wouldn't give it so I don't get hens yet. But when the bylaw changes and I am allowed, I'll be talking to all my other neighbours EXCEPT him about it to let them know. He figures he already knows everything there is to know about it. So I say it depends on your neighbours.