Updates on the last pages: Neighbor is threatening me and my chickens

[Smileybans]

So the 300ft ordinance is to keep chickens out of the village without actually saying you can’t have any. Because no property accommodates it, except 3-5, in the whole village. The mayor couldn’t give me a copy of the book because it’s something you have to buy from the town. Why they don’t have this crap posted online I don’t know. The board is also going through the ordinance book and redoing most of it, it hasn’t been updated since 2004. Hopefully I can get something changed at the board meetings.

 

[KaseySnow]

Maybe you could get together with some other chicken owners and show up at the board meetings together to get the ordinance changed.

 

[ChassiNoir]

Do a little research with the other people in your village who have chickens. Find out if 1) they are aware of the ordinance and 2) are they complying with it. If they aren't, let them know that they need to help you get the ordinance changed so that they don't lose their chickens too. If the ordinance guy comes back ask him who else has he enforced the ordinance on. This seems like a very selective enforcement of this ordinance.

This person posted most of what I was going to suggest.

Getting together with the other chicken owners may be a fantastic idea. The more of you there are who can work to change the ordinance, perhaps the more likely it will change the law. Have petitions signed by neighbours who don’t mind the chickens and turn it in for the ordinance update. The more positive support the better! This also means that despite the horrid neighbour, you are not in this alone.

I know this is so overwhelming and heart breaking, but you are not in it alone. You have those here and your fellow chicken neighbours. Maybe, as terrible as it is now, it’s a way for all of you to keep your chickens.

You can do it! It’s scary, but for the love of your chickens and home business, you can do it!

As for the neighbour, karma does come around.

 

[andiseth]

I’ve looked into the state laws because I couldn’t find any local laws. The state laws say I have to own more than 3000 chickens to require registration to sell eggs. Otherwise the eggs have to refrigerated below 45F and packages labeled with the federal guidelines. To sell chicks under the age of 8 weeks I have to sell in numbers of no less than 6.

I would ask a lawyer to write a letter to him.

Are the roosters what’s upsetting him ?
4 is more than you need to protect that many hens. Is there a lot of crowing and that’s what he’s bothered by? I have just a tiny family flock and 1 Roo and get worried about him sometimes if he gets rowdy

 

[NatJ]

View attachment 2681694 Had to ask the mayor for this. This is ridiculous

So the 300ft ordinance is to keep chickens out of the village without actually saying you can’t have any. Because no property accommodates it, except 3-5, in the whole village.

I did wonder if that was the purpose of the rule.

But I also notice the chickens have to be 300 feet from any house EXCEPT the one you live in.

So that might make a little difference in how far you would have to move the coop if you want to comply with the ordinance.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

View attachment 2681694 Had to ask the mayor for this. This is ridiculous



I did wonder if that was the purpose of the rule.

But I also notice the chickens have to be 300 feet from any house EXCEPT the one you live in.

So that might make a little difference in how far you would have to move the coop if you want to comply with the ordinance.

LONG narrow lots in the village - likely due to the way taxation frequently was handled at the time the village was created. Similar to the way houses developed in New Orleans when they were taxed based on frontage, rather than area. So sadly it doesn't offer much help.

There really are only a couple properties in the whole village deep enough that the practice is possible.

 

[Smileybans]

Are the roosters what’s upsetting him ?
4 is more than you need to protect that many hens. Is there a lot of crowing and that’s what he’s bothered by? I have just a tiny family flock and 1 Roo and get worried about him sometimes if he gets rowdy

I asked him about the roosters. He said he didn’t mind. So I thought he didn’t. I’m also rehoming two of them. Which I told him when he mentioned the roosters, for the first time, after he called the town.

 

[April In New York]

I asked him about the roosters. He said he didn’t mind. So I thought he didn’t. I’m also rehoming two of them. Which I told him when he mentioned the roosters, for the first time, after he called the town.

I asked him about the roosters. He said he didn’t mind. So I thought he didn’t. I’m also rehoming two of them. Which I told him when he mentioned the roosters, for the first time, after he called the town.

OK, I’ve read this whole thread, had a farm in Schoharie and lived in NY for 25 years. His bullying and letting his dog run equals harassing you, which is illegal. It is causing you undue anxiety, strife and fear for yourself and children. Rise above your chickens and launch an offensive attack. Here’s how:
1. A - Do not talk to him anymore. Period.
1. Document conversations with him and his wife. Get a notebook just for documenting all of this - not electronically, do it on paper in a spiral notebook or other bound notebook where papers can’t be added or moved. Document your recollections of past conversations as best you can, note the day you are recollecting along with the approximate date of incident. Date, time place for each. Note scent of alcohol, the way he walks (stumbling?), tone, volume, slurring?, threatening posture, gesticulations, your fear of him when he is yelling, raising his voice at you, appears inebriated or drugged, whatever he appears to you
2. Document by photo when his dog is on your property. Videos are tough for court docs. Get pics of dog knocking down your kids. A game camera can do this and all the pics will be on the SD card. Borrow a game camera from a hunter if you have to.
3. Get a letter from your therapist documenting the strife, stress, nauseous feelings you are getting from being verbally attacked and harassed by him.
He can call authorities all he wants but it is illegal to threaten you, yell at you, gesticulate, cause you fear for yourself and family. Look up harassment in nys law.
4. CALL ANIMAL CONTROL THE NEXT TIME THAT DOG IS ON YOUR PROPERTY. Keep calling until they come pick it up and he has to retrieve it from the pound. Make his dog his problem and be a squeaky wheel to animal control until they enforce the laws for him. Document every call to them with date, time, who you spoke with. His dog jumping on your kids is dangerous and unacceptable. It is only a matter of time before one of your kids is injured by the dog knocking them to the ground.
5. File for a restraining order against him and his dog using all of the above. The police can help you, courts may have guidance in your county too. Start online; there is a tremendous amount of information, documents, online in the New York Court System.
CHICKENS
1. Try to lease or rent the land adjacent to your lot to provide the required set back.
2. Use hardware cloth on your coop walls and floor not chicken or welded wire. It is the only material that breaths that will keep out forest critters 99% of the time.
2B. Do not install the new coop until you have the proper setback.
3. Gather a list of people who keep chickens and inform them of the ordinance, let them know the council is reviewing the ordinances. Suggest wording for a new ordinance that takes into consideration new chicken keeping practices. Old ordinances were designed to keep stench away from homes. New products practically do away with the stench of chicken houses. (Sweet pdz is one, sand floors are another ) Talk to chicken owners separately until you have a few that agree on helping, then add more people. There are many towns that have updated ordinances so you don’t have to invent this. Just research and copy, present to supporters and choose. For example, in all five boroughs of NYC you can keep up to five hens, no roosters, on your property, which can be as little as 15’ wide and directly adjacent to neighbors.
4. Since you are making money at this, consider leasing/renting land close by, in case you do need to move your operation. Call it a business, never a hobby. If any agency issues a deadline to move them that you cannot meet, ask for an extension citing all your best efforts to comply, which you have documented in your notebook.
Hope this helps by providing a step by step guide for action. Big hug. If you can homeschool kids, you can do this!

 

[2theDogz]

He's an old man stuck in his ways and refuses to listen to anyone who doesn’t tell him what he wants to hear.

Advice? Should I just let it be? My anxiety has me going crazy.

If there's no talking to him, don't talk to him. Simply state :
1. You're within your rights and
2. Containing his dog is HIS responsibility.
3. End of Discussion
People like him love to argue / fight. Don't feed the beast & he may go away.

 

[Chickrus]

If you are within the law and your chickens aren't going on his property.
You need to put a stop to his actions now!
Tell him nicely you are feeling threatened by his out of control out bursts and if they continue you will be forced to have a restraining order placed on him.
If he has half a brain he will back off and leave you alone.
Drunks are very unpredictable especially a mean drunk.
Good Luck.