Transitioning from roofed to roofless run

[21hens-incharge]

The clear panels and the purlins will go, the rafters will stay with the mesh across them. The neighbor tried to claim water runoff. It was proven impossible because of the space between the run and his yard, plus the ground there slopes from his yard down into mine. I put actual gutters on the coop and run, too. Wasn’t enough to make him happy.

If possible keeping the purlins would give the wire more support.

 

[K0k0shka]

Can you humanely trap and relocate the Pinta neighbor?

Best comment yet

 

[K0k0shka]

First thing I would do is ask for a complete copy of the law, everything. I would then look at the LETTER of the law. I would then ask a lawyer friend or seek a lawyer who would do a free consultation and then ask them to review your setup versus the LETTER of the law, not the intent. If you meet the LETTER of the law he doesn't stand a chance and I would go after him for harassment. Two can play that game.

The letter of the law is not detailed enough to include oddball structures like roofed chicken runs. The roofed chicken run doesn't fall neatly under any preexisting categories - it's not really a building, not really a fence, not really a pen. It's in a gray area not described by the letter of the law. So the building commissioner needs to exercise his best judgement in deciding how to classify it, and he has to do it in a way that (at least tries to) keep the peace within the neighborhood. He had previously let me build it with a roof, because he personally doesn't believe it's a building and doesn't really care, but the moment an abutting neighbor starts complaining and challenging the decision, it gets complicated, and the commissioner has to walk the thin line of keeping the peace. So he suggested the compromise of keeping the run where it is, but removing the roof so it's unambiguous what kind of structure it is (neighbor claims it's a building and as such can't stay where it is, but if I take the roof off and it becomes a fence, the neighbor has no grounds to push further).

 

[aart]

What if you called it a pergola?
Rhetorical tongue in cheek question

 

[K0k0shka]

What if you called it a pergola?
Rhetorical tongue in cheek question

I have definitely thought of that! Keeping it in my arsenal of responses if anybody objects to the roofless run setup. The building commissioner said he cares about the structure and not about its use, so... I think it could be a chicken pergola quite seriously, not just tongue in cheek!

 

[aart]

I think it could be a chicken pergola quite seriously, not just tongue in cheek!

I'd not use the word 'chicken' tho.

 

[JadeFarms]

Could you put trees up so she doesn’t see it? Maybe she will keep her mouth shut if she don’t see it. Do you have a fence or can you have a fence? You could use a wood one so she can’t see it and make sure the run isn’t taller than the fence. Since you can have a coop can you do something like this? You could even put another coop at the other side since you can have a coop. (Not my pic)

 

[AOrchard]

Plants over the run is also my first thought.

From the chicken's perspective, they will be okay and even happy out in the weather. It feels weird to us, but my chickens, with access to a lovely covered space, still CHOOSE to go outside in all sorts of crappy weather. Unless you have frizzles or silkies, chickens really are designed to handle weather! They love drinking rain drops! So at least let your soul know that your babies will be well no matter what roof or not you end up with.

Have you tried leaving him gifts? Like a nice quiche or egg breakfast casserole? Occasional egg foods might make him more amendable, or at least take the edge off.

I would definitely start gifting eggs to the rest of your neighbors if you aren't already, you want everyone else to like your chickens and to want you to keep the chickens. Invite your neighborhood kids and people to come pet the chickens or feed them treats, do whatever you can to build active support from the rest of your neighbors. If your city gov is so pushable, than 6 neighbors that love the chickens against one 1 neighbor that doesn't will help your case. You aren't going to out-shout this guy, so could build your numbers up instead. If you have any older staples of the neighborhood you know, you could also ask them to talk to this guy about being a good neighbor. It will be more effective coming from them than from you.

 

[K0k0shka]

Could you put trees up so she doesn’t see it? Maybe she will keep her mouth shut if she don’t see it. Do you have a fence or can you have a fence? You could use a wood one so she can’t see it and make sure the run isn’t taller than the fence. Since you can have a coop can you do something like this? You could even put another coop at the other side since you can have a coop. (Not my pic)View attachment 2381526

I've definitely thought of trees and plants, but the problem is that they'll take a while to grow as tall as I need them to, and, unless I find something evergreen that fits the requirements, they'll lose their privacy screen qualities for half the year. I mentioned this earlier, but I'm also considering getting camouflage netting to use as a tall privacy screen above the fence. I do have a 6-foot-tall wooden privacy fence between us, same height as the run so he can't actually see it from his back yard, but he can see it from the second floor of his house and is complaining about it ruining his window view At this point I wouldn't be required to put a taller privacy screen and I absolutely would not do it just to make him happy (he's been making me miserable since March). I would do it to block my own view of HIM and his smug face.

 

[K0k0shka]

From the chicken's perspective, they will be okay and even happy out in the weather. It feels weird to us, but my chickens, with access to a lovely covered space, still CHOOSE to go outside in all sorts of crappy weather. Unless you have frizzles or silkies, chickens really are designed to handle weather! They love drinking rain drops! So at least let your soul know that your babies will be well no matter what roof or not you end up with.

This makes me feel better, thanks! I have English Orpingtons and Barnevelders, so they should be fine. The Orps especially, are incredibly fluffy basketballs of heat that spent all summer panting, so they may actually enjoy the colder months and the occasional drizzle!

Have you tried leaving him gifts? Like a nice quiche or egg breakfast casserole? Occasional egg foods might make him more amendable, or at least take the edge off.

I offered eggs before the situation blew up and he accepted, and we were on good terms at first, but then he changed course for no apparent reason and has been refusing everything since, even refusing to talk about a mutually-acceptable compromise. He wants what he wants and is stomping his foot until he gets it. I'm done offering gifts.

I would definitely start gifting eggs to the rest of your neighbors if you aren't already, you want everyone else to like your chickens and to want you to keep the chickens. Invite your neighborhood kids and people to come pet the chickens or feed them treats, do whatever you can to build active support from the rest of your neighbors. If your city gov is so pushable, than 6 neighbors that love the chickens against one 1 neighbor that doesn't will help your case. You aren't going to out-shout this guy, so could build your numbers up instead. If you have any older staples of the neighborhood you know, you could also ask them to talk to this guy about being a good neighbor. It will be more effective coming from them than from you.

He managed to turn one more neighbor against me, but at least all the rest are cool with the chickens, we're on good terms and I bring them gifts occasionally. We've had neighbors with kids visit and the kids LOVE the chickens. The friendly neighbors and other supportive people from the town came to back me up at the town meeting. I'm very grateful for all the good folks, including the town which is on our side, and I'm making sure they know it. That one neighbor though, is a lost cause, and the most I can do at this point is find a way to deny him any legal grounds to harass me. But our relationship is over.