Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[tinaduffyjames]

Hi, My chickens arrive from Omlet mid may and I was wondering if I should approach my neighbours before hand and let them know that I have been in touch with Environmental Health, Planning and checked my Deeds and there are no problems. Or am I better off just saying nothing? Is it only courteous to tell them I am having chickens? I wouldnt tell them if I was having a dog or a rabbit. Or by telling them am I just encouraging their attention? If you can tell me what you did with your first chickens that would be great. Thank you

[Egluntyne]

Say nothing. Would they approach you if the boot were on the other foot?

 

If you wheel out the big guns like environmental health etc, it will only give them something to worry about.

 

Least said etc.

[LuckyChickenLover-]

I didn't tell my neighbours, but they're quite nice so I didn't think they'd mind, and the fence between us is pretty low and he could see the chicken house so I think he knew already.

[tinaduffyjames]

I think your probably right, it would only make them think they had something to worry about. I can just see some bright spark ringing Environmental Health though and saying shock horror their keeping chickens! Have had the go ahead though so I guess I have nothing to worry about. I will say nothing I think. My lips are sealed!

[ValerieR]

I told mine after I got them! I went and said "have you heard my chickens?" No-one had. No problem!

I have distributed a few eggs to oil the wheels as well ....

[Saronne]

Don't worry. When I last checked the 'things that might annoy my neighbours' notice board, chicken keeping was listed as a 'pleasant and theraputic hobby' and not a 'crime, an act of treason or a risk to human health'

 

Saronne x

[ValerieR]

Yeah, Saronne. I think maybe we worry too much.

After all. no-one asks the neighbours before they get a dog that barks or a new born baby that cries all the time!

I think chicken noises are no more annoying than either of those..

[sjp]

don't tell them if you've got that's a bit funny telling them before hand will only give them time to start finding 'problems' that don't exist. you've already done more than needed.

I'd had my girls 3 months before the one neighbour (next door) even found out I'd got chickhen

[ISCA]

I popped next door to let my neighbour know we were getting garden chickens (we only have a neighbour on one side). I did this out of neighbourliness, not to ask permission! I did ask that if they encountered any problems they should let me know immediately, and of course promised eggs when they arrive.

 

At the end of the day you do not need their permission to keep chickens but if it is something that is preying on your mind, letting them know and seeing they are not concerned is one less thing to worry about If they are concerned you can reassure them then and there. My neighbour thought is was a great idea and would make her feel like being in the country. Hmmmm, maybe I should get a cockerel? Then again, as I like my sleep, maybe not!!!

 

I would not mention deeds or environmental health etc., it is not necessary and sounds very defensive.

 

Good luck with them- I am loving having mine

[Space Chick]

I told my neighbours when I was getting my girls....... not through being courteous or neighbourly........ I was so excited I was telling everyone!

 

My neighbours love my girls, both sides can be frequently seen watching them and laughing at their antics, one side buys eggs off me every week, the man on other side is trying to persuade his wife to get some

[Chucky Mama]

I told my neighbours - we only have 1 set and we know them well but they have 2 dogs which may have been a problem. I really wanted to warn them so that they could get around their dogs not being quite so free range around our garden. I panicked a bit when I found them a bit noisy in the mornings but they said that it didn't disturb them and they found their noises rather nice

[Alis girls]

Didnt tell mine and keep them very clean so no nasty niffs. I dont know if they have noticed them as garden is quite mature and bushes high.

[coco]

I didn't tell mine and they are fine with me having chickens. The lady next door says its lovely listening to them and makes her feel like she is livng in the country, the man across the road from me brings the girls his dadelions when he has been weeding, we've also had appes and corn off him. If I have a lot of spare eggs I will give the neighbours some to keep them happy.

[Space Chick]

My neighbour was gardening today, and saved all the worms he found for the girls, and threw them over the fence. The girls are now his new best friends

[dannablue]

I told my neighbour just out of courtesy, she had no problem with the idea, in fact she was very interested and as soon as they arrived she was asking lots of questions. Only a couple of weeks in she was seen chatting to them through the fence and admitted she had fed them grass, and even gave us a cauliflower for them. We went away for the weekend recently and I asked if she would like to look after them. She said no problem. I of course told her that she didnt have to do very much just fresh water each day but she insisted on giving them their corn treat (a handful during the day) and checking for eggs etc. She even brought her granddaughter round to check for eggs one day. She said she enjoyed it! She has 6 eggs from the girls each week.

[sparkysmum]

Hi, I might be a bit sad but I did ask my neighbours permission. I would simoly hate to cause my neighbours to be upset in any way. Thankfully they are very happy with our ladies, so all's well

[poppers77]

We very recently got ours ( 2months ago) & all our neighbours knew we wanted them as i was allways going on about it so i didn't say anything especially as a family 3 doors down had them. When the exciting day came all laid plans wnt wrong as i thought we could insatll them as they were growers and v small then surprise them when all was safely installed. Unfortunatley the man arrived 2hrs late after his sat nav broke ( & i repeatedly tried to give him directions) so arrived mid evening home time, blocked the road entirely with his trailer then the cheicken house didn't go throught the gate - we had to saw it down at the weekend! So their calm arrival was not acheived. However despite the disruption they were accepted by all & despite the odd comment which i ignored everyone is furiously colecting newspapers & eagerly awaiting our first egg!!

Good luck it's fab, fun & endlessly entertaining!

P

[Barkisland]

Must admit I asked my neighbours at both sides if they had any objection to me keeping chickens. Happily neither side did, and in fact one neighbour said she'd kept pet chickens as a girl, and promptly offered to chicken sit if we went away. (Result!!) She is now thinking of getting some herself, once her daughter's guinea pigs are gone. I find both neighbours are really interested in my girls and what they are up to, and both can be called upon to collect eggs and check food & water if we go away for a bit.

[Guest]

We didnt tell our neighbours until we had them. The side their on the neighbours are great and they keep saying get a cockeral but we cant the neighbours on the otherside think my girls are too noise even though they are only noisey when laying because i put a recorder out there to check. If anythign the neighbours are noiser. Just dont say anything and if they ask tell them.

[ValerieR]

People complain about noise?

I have neighbours with newborn babies that cry endlessly and others with dogs that bark loads. Also neighbours with noisy boisterous children shrieking and laughing as they play. None of these things bother me in the slightest and I doubt they would bother most folks. So what is the difference if a few chickens squawk once in a while??

 

I bet your neighbours who complain make noise sometimes themselves....

 

some people!!

[dannablue]

I have a neighbour who has turned into a right misery chops..not because of chickens but because he had a child! Since that baby was born (he is now 5) he has complained to us and several other immediate neighbours about us making "noise"...i.e. my neighbour was mowing her lawn at 5pm one evening and he came out and asked how long she was going to be. She asked why. He said I was just wondering as Luke (his Son) was going to bed at 7pm and he didnt want him disturbed!!!!!!!!

 

He is so against his child being disturbed once in bed - due to him probably having to "deal" with the child should he not be asleep thereby inconveniencing him and his take aways but yet thinks nothing of the same child hanging over hedges and looking through fences asking 20 questions to the neighbour pestering them while working in their garden, or the child banging around like a small herd of elephants which can be heard above the television, or screeching in the garden while playing.

 

My point is neighbours complain and moan but do not practice what they preach...they dont consider they may do things that annoy you - some people are just selfish and inconsiderate.

[EmmaE]

Ours has just complained about our trampolene. Apparently they don't like the kids looking over the 3' fence (which is theirs and they won't put a higher one . . . grrr!)

 

Don't think I'll tell them about the chooks!

[dannablue]

Ours has just complained about our trampolene. Apparently they don't like the kids looking over the 3' fence (which is theirs and they won't put a higher one . . . grrr!)

 

Don't think I'll tell them about the chooks!

 

Question is what are they doing behind that fence that the kids shouldnt see !!

[EmmaE]

never thought of that!

[Janty]

I told our neighbours but only because we are really friendly with them.