AndyRoo Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 What was everyone's approach when it came to telling the neighbours (or not) about their chickens? I'm in two minds as to what to do when it comes to the neighbours. Part of me thinks it's good manners to tell the neighbours, but then I have read a couple of stories from people who didn't tell the neighbours - only to receive complaints once they had been told, despite being blissfully unaware for months and months. I'm not sure what to do, I know there are people who like to complain just because they can... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 I didn't tell the neighbours and it took a few 2 or 3 years to figure it out if they don't ask don't tell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 If you got a dog would you tell the neighbours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 I didn't tell the neighbours and it took a few 2 or 3 years to figure it out if they don't ask don't tell Yessss... I think I am leaning towards that method. Let them figure it out for themselves. We do have a really large garden and they're going to be right at the back, so I suppose it's possible that they may never even realise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 If you got a dog would you tell the neighbours? No. That being said, however, all of our neighbours who have bought dogs have 'warned' us in advance of any initial noise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 It's your garden, your business. As long as you're not getting a cockerel (which I'm sure you won't) and you're responsible regarding feed storage (which I'm sure you will be), then you aren't doing anything that would cause offence to any reasonable person. If you tell the neighbours before you get them, and they don't know what to expect, there's a chance they could work themselves up about all sorts of things that would never happen. Whereas if you just get them, it's likely that by the time your neighbours notice, they'll have to admit the chooks are no bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 As long as you're not getting a cockerel (which I'm sure you won't)... You guess correctly: if a Rooster starts singing at stupid-o-clock in the morning within my earshot, I'll be the first person wanting to have it for a Sunday roast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 It's your garden, your business. Mullethuhter is right I didn't tell any of our neighbours but then I did particularly dislike the ones who used to live to the left of us. I decided that there was no way my chickens could ever make as much noise as their children did and I was right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GQsm Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 We got the chickens then politely told the neighbours either side who we are on good terms with that we had them. I have given them a few eggs so far to hopefully keep them on side too. Two of our hens have turned out noisy so other neighbours across the road asked if it was our garden they were in and could they have a look with their daughter but this was a positive for them. I would try and tailor your approach to the neighbours, if I didn't know ours I'm not sure I would have told them at all, but some may feel better if you politely tell them and give them a few eggs, rather than them finding out you have them because of noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 It has to be your call based on what your neighbours are like and what kind of relationship you have. But I tend to bear in mind the adage of an old boss of mine that it was much easier to ask for forgiveness than permission Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Check with your local council if chickens are allowed in your area. the good point in your advantage now is the days are getting shorter so hens will not be making noise while people are sleeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share Posted August 23, 2016 Chickens are allowed on our property and we do have a large garden, so I am not too worried about being able to keep them out of the way of the neighbours. I won't really know the neighbours as we will be the new ones that just moved in. As we're already planning on re-landscaping the garden; building an extension for a newer, larger kitchen, and building a loft conversion - I have a feeling we're already going to be 'those' neighbours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Just say that you and your chickens are moving here. Just ignore the fact that you are only getting them, when you have moved in. They can't really object to you bringing your life long friends! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Nope - my garden I can put in it what I like within reason - I draw the line at cows, sheep or alas ducks which I would love - this is London. Next door have a ruddy great oak tree which cuts my light and makes my patio lumpy with its roots. I would love them to cut it back a bit but doubt they will. I dont tell them I have 3 cats. Everybodies cat turns up in my garden but what can you do. All you'll get is ignorant people moaning re rats and cockerels Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 There's a great cure for neighbours trees. A handy OH, a drill and syringes of neat weed killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 There's a great cure for neighbours trees. A handy OH, a drill and syringes of neat weed killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Don't tempt me. Syringes aren't a problem. You are so naughty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 And the neighbours keep wondering why they haven't seen that ginormous woodpecker that is making those holes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 I have a feeling we're already going to be 'those' neighbours! That's us We had a skip in the drive and the on the verge outside for the first three months of owning the place. Everyone around us is retired. Apart from a lovely lady next door I'm pretty sure everyone hates us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 I'm obviously in a minority here but I casually mentioned to my immediate neighbors I would be getting hens, told them all about BHWT and about the commercial egg process. I told them they would occasionally hear them too. At no point did I ask permission, I told them what was happening. More so out of curtesy and I'm glad I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Poor Andy he only asked a question and identified the "bunny boilers" on the forum. I include myself of course. . Think Andy you could be living next to one of us mwah mwah mwah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted August 24, 2016 Author Share Posted August 24, 2016 I have a feeling we're already going to be 'those' neighbours! That's us We had a skip in the drive and the on the verge outside for the first three months of owning the place. Everyone around us is retired. Apart from a lovely lady next door I'm pretty sure everyone hates us In our current place we had loads of work done and next door had a little baby. I felt a bit bad... but I got over it fast, I am sure I will again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 I'm obviously in a minority here but I casually mentioned to my immediate neighbors I would be getting hens, told them all about BHWT and about the commercial egg process. I told them they would occasionally hear them too. At no point did I ask permission, I told them what was happening. More so out of curtesy and I'm glad I did. Same here. Told them I had permission from the housing company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 And the neighbours keep wondering why they haven't seen that ginormous woodpecker that is making those holes... I think they will guess what happened. It seems it is well known thing, I used this method a few times "in my own garden" it works 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 There's a great cure for neighbours trees. A handy OH, a drill and syringes of neat weed killer. Diesel also works, just water the tree with it. My mother did this to her neighbours hedge, neighbour could never understand why the whole hedge just died in one go, mum put it down to a bug in the soil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
