The predators are really my neighbors, but...

[Chickenmaven]

My neighbors tried to bully me - and succeded - for years! They are older & I was taught to respect my elders, what can I say? After a time, I realized that they will never, ever respect or like me. What was I being nice for? I started saying, "Oh, I am sorry you feel that way". After a few months of that, they figured I was as receptive as a box of rocks & gave up. I am sure that they called the township when i got THIRTY chickens. But they are SOL. I am within my rights & they do not have a voice with me. Game over!
As for the childcare thing, I would allow the kid to use your phone - "Here, call your mom, tell her she needs to get on home." Understand: these people do not like you. You do not owe them any explanation as to why they cannot dump their kid on you. "Why can't little Annie stay for awhile?" "Oh, she just can't. That doesn't work for us."
It is great to have neighbors as dear friends, but when it doesn't occur - Whatever!

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
OK, correct me if I'm wrong here but in Michigan Kids aren't allowed to stay home alone until they are older than that! Sounds like a problem for the Sheriff's office or PS, If you never agreed to watch those kids, who's telling if you are even home when something happens? What are they going to do then?

Upstate NY...... same sort of winters I have here in Michigan... Cold.... Damp wet coldness. Problem solved in my opinion.

 

[chickenshagg]

SKUNKS DON'T STINK, ONLY THEIR SPRAY DOES!!
A skunk only uses its spray as a defense. When yo smell skunk it has either been attacked, threatened or hit by a car! I have been fishing and camping and have had skunKs literally Crawl over my feet. I never smelt a thing.
This neighbor is purely selfish and trouble! Let us just use a little logic. You could have rose bushes planted and if she did not like the color of the flowers she would complain. I am not an immediate confrontational person but as others have said you must stand up to this person, just don't let the child suffer because of the mother!

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

its always hard to know what to do when there's a child involved, because if something happens to her on your property this woman will be on the warpath even though it all started with her in the first place.

 

[vfem]

Ummm... its not your kid its not your problem... tell them when they learn to stop complaining about every little thing will be the day you'll help them out if they need it again!

Until that day comes... have a nice life... AND STOP FEEDINGS STRAYS THE MOUNTAINS IT ATTRACTS NASTY WILDLIFE!!!!!!

 

[amazondoc]

Replace the composter. Don't get the same model, though. Get a BIGGER one.

Put up "No Trespassing" signs if you have to. Do NOT allow that child onto your property or into your home. If the mother asks you why, you can always say that you know how much she hates the smells from the composter and chickens -- and you wouldn't want her child coming home all stinky.

 

[gaberdeen]

Purchase 71 roosters immediately.

 

[gypsy2621]

You can also tell her if she is smelling skunk then she needs to stop feeding feral cats outside,
gee guess what the skunks are coming in to eat
DUH ! I hate miserable neighbors.

 

[meme9726]

Quote:

May I suggest one of the long crower breeds

 

[Lucy4]

Quote:
Oh, that made me laugh out loud.

I wish I had posted on here before I dealt with this woman. But at least now I'm better prepared for the future. It's true, the cat food could be attracting the skunks far better than my well-protected coop.

But the real point is the bullying, and I'm just going to ignore her from now on. I wish I didn't have to see them so upclose (our backyards touch each other... the only neighbors we don't have woods in between.) Maybe this situation will inspire them to put up privacy fencing. They already have that on their other side because they don't like those folks either!

I worry that they'll get vindictive and poison my chickens. But one worry at a time.

Thanks again for all the help and advice (and occasional laughs too!)