Wading into enemy territory - my neighbor has 80+ roosters and I'm going mad

[lazy gardener]

Some people do keep and breed roosters specifically for the hackle and saddle feathers to sell them for fly tying. But I can't for the life of me imagine there being a market for that many. I'm so very sorry you're having this issue. I had 6 roosters last spring who all went to the freezer. But they drove me absolutely batty. This spring, I have twice as many... meat birds. And I expect that they will be going to the freezer at a very young age. My closest neighbor said he enjoyed the sound of the roosters, though he did stand at the end of his driveway and crow back at them!

 

[Godsgrl]

I would try putting up a sound barrier, like a fence to see if that helped.

But that might spoil the view....

It seems like a horrible deal for you. So sorry you are dealing with this.



But if he is insistent upon keeping that many roosters you may want to try some kind of divider like a fence. If all else fails - try to move if you can. That is expensive though.

Big fluffy trees might be a better sound barrier than a fence. Just a thought

 

[enola]

But big fluffy trees drop their leaves in the fall. I have the same problem with a "kennel" of dogs next door......

 

[plumcrazy]

Thanks for all the thoughts. I honestly did not expect the posts of sympathy, kudos to you all for listening to a non chicken owners problems with some mercy

Unfortunately the contour of the land precludes a fence. I am on top of one ridge and the roosters are on another. Our mutual property line is in the valley between. The area where a possibly could put a fence would require one about 40ft high to block line of sound. There actually is quite a bit of foliage in-between us now that the leaves have come out, but the reduction in noise is minimal. I'm not sure if I have the perfect line of sight(sound), or the sound is somehow echoing and coming in from multiple directions.

The county does have a noise ordinance, but I'm not sure how well it's enforced (I'm finding out now that the previous owners called the police on at least a dozen occasions on account of the noise). I'm also hesitant to make enemies of a new neighbor.

I do believe they are cared for, although I hate to see the each rooster chained up next to their little kennel. It seems a terrible life for them, although I understand that if let to roam they would quickly take to fighting each other with bad consequences.

We have already thought about moving, but we literally just moved in 5 months ago, so it's not financially feasible at the moment. I even went so far as to offer to write him a check if he was interested in starting a different business venture, or even to move them (he has 17 acres), but no bites so far. He compared his chickens to having dogs, so I guess I didn't realize the passion behind this hobby

@lazy gardener Your neighbor was just actually certifiable by that time and you just didn't realize it

I myself have caught myself crowing back and I'm not sure exactly why I do it, but it ain't love

-plumcrazy

 

[lovingmyhens]

I would have a discussion with the local police. Just feel them out and see what transpired with the previous neighbors complaints. You don't have to file a complaint right away, just kind of see how serious they would take the complaint and what choices you have. Also, you need to think of your sanity...do you want to be friendly with the neighbor or sane?
I have called the police on some neighbors who had 3 very loud dogs and I was not the only person who did so. Seems you are way out yonder and may not have anyone else within hearing distance of the roosters to even complain, but who knows. Bless you-I couldn't handle that amount of noise.

 

[Jane Boone]

He either "fights" roosters or supplies them to those who do.

 

[wyoDreamer]

There are some that are just passionate about roosters. I know a guy who has a passion for raising the fighting roosters - he doesn't fight them, just loves having them. His family has always raised them; it is what his dad did, and what his grandpa did. It is a family legacy. Only difference is - he doesn't fight them. He has about the same set-up as your neighbor - roosters hitched to a house by a leg tie-out. He says it easier on the bird than being in a cage, that they are happier.

Not really a solution to stop the noise, but maybe you could play a radio at your place when you are outside to kinda drown out all the crowing. Sort-of white noise it out of your life. Give your ears something to focus on instead of the roosters.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

But big fluffy trees drop their leaves in the fall. I have the same problem with a "kennel" of dogs next door......

Nice, solid "evergreen" shrub banks work great for this - my great-grandparents had a lovely "divider wall" of shrubs between their yard and the back neighbor's yard that was some 8-10 feet tall and functional year round - not sure the exact plant that was used, but any local landscape supply should be able to advise on plants that would work

 

[Gayleyy]

Tough situation! It would be so much easier if you could just ask the Roo's to keep it down! LOL I do not know why he has so many, there could be many reasons! You could look into local laws, there could be something in there to help you. Some places have a limit on crowing birds per acre, or the distance they are housed from homes. If it is all done legally, there is little you can do other than look into ways to block the sound. Trees will help, not all trees lose their leaves, some evergreen trees grow quite large and can make a great wall. They do take a long time to grow. Fans are a great idea, white noise is peaceful and excellent at blocking other sounds. That would drive me crazy too! Good luck and I hope you find a solution.

 

[tridentk9]

If they grow in your area, arborvitae make a nice living fence.

Discuss this with your real estate agent. I'm surprised this wasn't disclosed during the buying process. There *may* be some recourse through the seller's agent.