Complaint and card left from Environmental Health!

[MrsC]

Hi all

I had a card pushed through my door from Environmental Health re - a complaint about me keeping chickens! Just tried to ring the bloke but he is out and should be back in his office between 12 and 1pm. Nice isn't that neighbours can't come and chat to you face to face! It states that the officer would like to come and see where they are kept in order to alleviate the complaints and concerns! What can I expect when he calls?

[Davyburns]

probably a jobsworth

[MrsC]

I feel sick!

[janeyo]

I would be spitting feathers if it were me (pardon the pun).

I would make sure everywhere is clean and tidy, the food is all away in rat proof bins. The coops are cleaned out and food and water bowls all spotless (as I am SURE they always are - not having a go), and then answer all his questions etc.
And maybe offer him some eggs - or a cake made from the eggs?

[lettucegrow!]

Oh no , that's awful. Did you have any idea someone's not happy about your hens? Yu'd think the would have spoken to you first.
Where do you live? Are there lots of people round you? Hope it gets sorted. I must admit I get worried about mine being a bit noisy. One of my girls has cottened on that if she squawkes a lot I come out and see them and soon as she hears movement from the house she's off! But having said that it's no noisier than the dogs that seem to bark constantly round here.

[walldanzig]

We had this with the rabbit in my old house he thumped through the night and she said it was keeping her awake I moved him down the garden but then we had a call from the RSPCA regarding the wellbeing of the animal. They came round whilst I was out and evaluated the rabbit and said all was alright with him. I went mad not only with the neighbour but with the RSPCA as I feel they should not come onto my property without my permission. I was being petty but I moved the rabbit back to his original position and when she complained I just said I want you to be able to see that he is in good health.

[Polly Fouracre]

I should think that as long as you don't keep a cockerel and there is nothing in your house deeds/rental agreement that prevents you from keeping livestock you have nothing to fear.
Anyone can keep a few hens in their garden. What a sad and sorry neighbour you must have, chickens are the most charming things and their "I've laid an egg" cackle lasts only a minute or so.
Make sure you tell the man that you take all feed indoors at night so as not to encourage rats!
Good luck and don't be brow-beaten!!

[elizajay]

I would be spitting feathers if it were me (pardon the pun).

I would make sure everywhere is clean and tidy, the food is all away in rat proof bins. The coops are cleaned out and food and water bowls all spotless (as I am SURE they always are - not having a go), and then answer all his questions etc.
And maybe offer him some eggs - or a cake made from the eggs?

Don't offer him eggs and certainly not cake - don't want to be accused of bribery and corruption!!

[SueA]

Hope everything goes well for you Mrs C. If you haven't got a cockerel & the henhouse etc. is clean then I don't see what you've got to worry about. Someone near us has recently got chickens, it's one of the houses in the street behind us & I can hear them clucking about in the garden sometimes but I think it's a lovely sound, if I had room & there weren't so many cats & dogs in our neighbourhood (including our cat who'd go mad!) I'd love to keep hens.

[MrsC]

I would be spitting feathers if it were me (pardon the pun).

I would make sure everywhere is clean and tidy, the food is all away in rat proof bins. The coops are cleaned out and food and water bowls all spotless (as I am SURE they always are - not having a go), and then answer all his questions etc.
And maybe offer him some eggs - or a cake made from the eggs?

Just spoken to him, he was really nice, I can't clean them anymore then I already have, there will be poo in there not lots, I can't put nappies on them lol! The playhouse where the food is kept is spotless. I'm so funny about cleaning it and making sure there is no spilt food etc. He's coming back at 2pm, will let you know what he said!

[lindyloo]

i hope this all works out for you. just remember that it is better that people like him come out to check on welfare etc. than for people to turn a blind eye in cases where animals ARE suffering. ( i'm sure yours arent) it is probably just someone making mischief for mishief's sake, so just tell him you are willing to do whatever he wants you to do, if he has any concern's.

[elizajay]

Good luck Mrs C, I am sure it will go well. I wrote to my council supporting free range eggs and discovered 2 councillors are chicken keepers!

[MrsC]

I told him exactly what I've got and yes I do have a 4 month old cockerel who has just started crowing but I am finding a new home. The complaint was made re - conditions they are kept in!!!!!!!!!!! I told him if they were commenting on the look of the run etc then yes it has been made from recycled material and is also fox proof, to which he answered it needs to be doesn't it! I am so jacked off that this person couldn't speak to me face to face! Don't mind the free eggs, sodding veg and plants I give them though do they! I'm fuming!

[MrsC]

I've got my suspicions who it was! Never mind their sodding music, kids screaming and dog barking from 6am every morning and their drunken BBQ's whenever the sun shines! Sorry for my rant guys thanks for listening, just need to get it off my chest!

[Littlemouse]

I'm sure if you offer him an egg or half a dozen or a slice of cake after he's done his inspection and all okay, it wouldn't be looked on askance!