Troublesome neighbor in Fair Oaks CA

[jake1965]

I've been reading advice from BYC for a while now, ever since we got our chicks over a year ago! Now they are awesome layers and fun little pets with little maintenance! Nonetheless, a neighbor has recently spoken out against them. He's the only neighbor that absolutely hates them! I've checked with all our other neighbors and they love our chickens. The troublesome neighbor's reasoning is because the wake him up in the mornings when he's trying to sleep in.

I've done everything I can to minimize their noise (moved the coop location, woken up at 6AM to beat them outside in the morning to make sure they are quiet (all hens), and try to keep them quiet till at least 7AM). Quiet hours in our area are 10PM-6AM though, and I've tried being respectful to our neighbor. His latest contacts with me have been escalating to the point where we don't feel safe around him. He's made it clear that if we want to have farm animals, to go live on a farm... and has resorted to calling us explicit names.

I followed some attorney advice and sent him a letter to open communication so he can email or call me (on my Google Voice number) rather than him shouting at me over the fence and harassing us. I'm hoping this stops his complaints and harassment, but if not, I'm looking at going to court for a restraining order unfortunately. When it comes to legalities, I've looked into Sac County, and it appears we are well within our rights to have chickens, and with the noise, we know that since they don't even make noise till after 6AM, we are covered legally there too. But I'm wondering at what point (if there is one) will I need to get rid of them? I'd do it for their sake out of courtesy, however I've heard from one of our other neighbors that he's harassed them about their dog barking. He stopped harassing them once the wife started talking to the neighbor because he was harassing the husband. Once he realized the wife was stepping up to bat, he backed down. I don't want to have to have my wife do the same thing and I wouldn't let her due to how mean he's gotten.

Advice? Thoughts? Now I do want a dog too, but I'm worried he'll start complaining about that too.

 

[SavKel&RynKel]

If that [explicitive name] wants quiet, tell him to move to a [explicitive] library!

Just my two cents.
Ryn.

 

[Vortex81]

Your within your legal right to have them and follow the noise ordinance and such next time he starts yelling smile and wave kill em with kindness it usally prevails!!

 

[sawilliams]

Unfortunatly as long as he stays in his yard and isn't treatening violence don't think there is much the courts will do either. Maybe a don't ingage (ie don't talk). Heck i would get a dog just to piss him off more, keeping it inside at night obviously but let it out to start barking right at 6am. But i understand keeping the peace.

Next time just ask if he needs eggs...

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

If you are within your legal limits you have nothing to worry about. You have stated that you have gone above and beyond to try and pacify the problem neighbor it may be time to involve the police if you really feel unsafe being out in your yard when he is out in his. Maybe get a tall privacy fence and plant a hedge to mask the “noise”.

 

[lazy gardener]

Plants and or fence will actually buffer some of the noise. I would absolutely not let a neighbor dictate what i do on my property as long as I am staying within the zoning laws. Of course you must be courteous: do what you can to keep your birds quiet until after 6 AM. Perhaps plant some shrubs around the coop/run or at property line. If he is yelling obscenities at you, ignore them. If he is yelling threats, get a recording of them, and involve the police. You need a documented paper trail. I bet if he gets a visit by the blue lights, he will back off. If you want a dog, then get a dog. But, be a good neighbor, and don't let your dog be the neighborhood nuisance who is out yapping all day long.

 

[LaketownChick]

Maybe get him a white noise machine? Don’t go spending $100 or anything, I think you can get them from Target pretty cheap in the baby aisle. Just an idea. Definitely kill him with kindness. Don’t let him ruin your happiness.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would not buy anything for a neighbor. This would only add fuel to the fire. Buying a white noise machine is feeding into his complaint of noise. Can he also control the airplane flying overhead, the motorcycle passing by, the crow cawing in the near by trees, the children playing in neighboring yards? And if you buy a white noise machine, there is the liability of you providing an electrical appliance which may become an electrical hazard in his home.

 

[AnimalGeek23]

Ooh! Ooh! Be all nerdy about it!! I have scientific proof!
Okay, so. Does this neighbor complain about people (or you) mowing lawns early in the morning? I’m gonna throw some science at ya. A lawn mower makes the sound of 100 decibels. 100! While a dog barking can make a sound of 90 decibels. While hens clucking is only 70 decibels on average, which is the volume of two people having a normal conversation. If your neighbor complains about people TALKING, then something is wrong with him/her. We’re just not used to the sound of clucking early in the morning. Keeping chickens is not illegal on your state, right?
Maybe tell that to him! I love being a nerd sometimes... And good luck!!

 

[aligarysmom]

If he says anything over the fence simply say hiddie ho neighbor. Have a great day! Then smile and walk away. Don’t engage. And wave while walking the other way and no matter what comes out of his mouth don’t respond.

If he knows he’s bothering you then it will continue. He just likes to make people as miserable as he is. Of course if it gets to threats then I would let him know calmly that threats won’t be tolerated and the police will be contacted if he won’t stop. And again enjoy you day! Shake it off and know he’s just trying to spread his misery. It loves company you know. . Good luck