Is my pekin bantam male or female?

[Chicken shack]

What a . Get a cheap tarpaulin from Aldi they cost about £5 and pin it to the fence on your side but don't mention it to her if she tries throwing bleach again it will come back at her. Good luck, you don't need this.

[Tweety]

If I was in your position, I would write a very polite letter rather than speaking to her. She is obviously a nutter, so you are probably not going to be able to reason with her face to face,but a letter gives you the opportunity to say what you want to say without things escalating. Keep a copy of the letter too.

Neighbour disputes are a nightmare and, as someone has already mentioned, you do have to declare any disputes with your neighbour when selling your house, so it's best to try and nip it in the bud before things get out of hand.

[WitchHazel]

If I was in your position, I would write a very polite letter rather than speaking to her. ...a letter gives you the opportunity to say what you want to say without things escalating. Keep a copy of the letter too.

.

That's a possibility too. Even if you are going to speak to her, it's a good idea to write it down as a letter first (even if you don't send it) , as this gives you an opportunity to think about phrasing, and to wr out exactly what you want to say.

 

If you do decide to sed her a letter then I strongly recommend two things

1) Remember that the written word is much easier to misunderstand and misinterpret than the spoken word. There is no body language or tone to indicate real intentions. you only have to look at rows that blow up on forums to see how often this happens

2) With that in mind, get someone independant (your other neighbour, for example) to read it, without you explaining too much, and ask himher for feedback on wording which might be misinterpreted or could be better phrased. Ideally ask them to read the letter with the starting mindset that they are the one who has been "wronged" (ie as your feather-hating-bleach-chucking neighbour is likely to read it).

 

Hope that helps

 

Hazel

[squiffs]

A letter would be ideal, as I really hate confrontation and really don't want to let this lie. I think if I were to try and talk to her myself I would stumble over my words, feel intimidated, get frustrated and then say the completely wrong thing, and then go home and cry. I have a lot of anxiety and constantly doubt myself when it comes to whether what I think is right, so I've been pacing up and down trying to bring up the courage to just gulp and go over there but I just can't get out of the front door

 

I think I will draft one up.

 

Also, for context, I don't own this house, I rent it from my dad, so technically it isn't his dispute and I shouldn't (fingers crossed) have to declare anything, I hope!

[daxigirl]

I'd find some good stinky fox poo and drop it over the fence into her garden (Not suposed to write naughty ideas like that am I?)

[ohcarolina]

I'd react exactly like you (and have in the past) but having managed people and had to deal with a couple of next door nutters in my time (I'd begun to think it was me until people told me otherwise ) In my experience I've found that most bullies back down when confronted. I involved the council and had to keep a diary about one of my old neighbors as it got so bad and the woman from the council came round (she was a council tenant) and spoke to her on a number of occasions. It was a horrible time but had I not taken action she would have continued her unacceptable behaviours incessantly.

 

There are some mediation services that may help you (don't know if you have one locally) but you definitely cannot allow her to put potential poisons in your garden. I can understand your concerns about renting from your dad and all of that but something has to be done about her. Could a friend mediate if you met? Are you on speaking terms with the other neighbours - do they offer advice or support?

 

I'm just offering words of support really but wish you good luck with it all.

 

Caroline

[Alis girls]

Any news Squiffs?

[surfer_chicken]

One big thing I got from your update on Sunday is that she seemed to enjoy the audience- knowing that you and your mum were just over the fence. I think if you weren't there she would've just swept up the feathers and gone inside, but she was clearly talking loudly and over exaggerating for your benefit. I know you don't really want her ruining your freedom to sit in your own garden, but if this happens in the future I would head inside. Hopefully she should put on less of a show then, and just incase she really is a complete nutter, you can keep an eye/ear on her from the window.

 

Did you talk to environmental health? It would be good to know what they're more professional view is on the situation.

 

Sorry this woman as been ruining your otherwise lovely introduction to chicken keeping We're always here if you want to rant about it.

[migsy]

I'd find some good stinky fox poo and drop it over the fence into her garden (Not suposed to write naughty ideas like that am I?)

 

My nutter ex neighbour started screaming and swearing at me over the fence one day when one of my hens made an "I've just laid" sound. I quietly said. "Do you normally speak to people in such an abusive manner?" She carried on screaming that I was mad and then I said very calmly "Do you have problems getting on with people?" She shouted "NO. DO YOU?" So I said "No, I get on with most people around here but I don't suppose you have many friends" At which point she said and walked off and never spoke to me again. (She did complain about my loft extension to the Council though but at least she didn't speak to me)

 

After that I did fantasise about dropping chicken poo on her velux rooflights that were easily accessible from our bedroom windows.

[Alis girls]

Dare you mwah mwah mwah

[fluffy chick]

When ever I have had to deal with abusive people my standard response when I end the conversation is

 

'it's been lovely speaking with you, thanks so much for taking the time to call / come round'

 

their face is usually a picture and I just smile sweetly.

 

 

I agree with others squiffs, I would try and talk to her calmly and quietly. If she reacts negatively it says far more about her than yourself.