I am spitting feathers.........

[Lumpy]

We moved in here a few weeks ago and our next door neighbours are complete and utter bar stewards.......

My OH knocked on their door a few days before moving to say 'hello' and warn that we were moving in and apologise for any noise.

The response he got from the lady (and I use that in it's loosest meaning) was.....'we have just paid for the fencing to be put up so don't damage it, grow anything up it of paint it' she then shut the door in his face.

So.....the council have been in touch as a complaint has been made about hordes of rats and mice, excessive hen hooting, risks of bird flu, smell and her husbands chest problems getting worse because he is allergic to feathers.

The last bit actually made me laugh as Gert and Maude have only had feathers for the last 2 weeks and still don't have enough to cover their bodies.

The up shot is that I have been in touch with the BHWT who are going to try and find a new home for my girls.

I am absolutely hopping mad.....

[Jay22]

Think you said at the start Lumpy that the neighbour didn't look too friendly! I'm so sorry you are having to re-home your girls since you were so excited to have them and you have nursed them back to health. I'm sure they will find good homes but it must be horrible for you.

[Bill HH]

Get pigs next.

[lottie dolly]

Keep the girls until you are tolled to do otherwise,i would have thought the complaint would have to be investigated first,and time for you to sort out to suit the council,unless the council have a no paltry policy,good luck with that one,you could maybe ask the council if they have a dep,so as to meet and leason with each other,i wonder how many previous new neighbours they have they have scared away,would the council tell you,or they have had a very bad experience with previous tenents

[sparrow100]

Much sympathy from over here - not nice to move to a new place with horrible people next door.

Personally I'd keep the chickens and discuss it with the Council. I'd get them round to see the set-up/send photos as probably the complaint has been massively exaggerated. Bit I guess it depends on how much you mind conflict - if that's going to send your stress levels through the roof then rehoming might just be the better option. The neighbours sound delightful - but they might have form for being difficult/early complaints, and on the other hand, possibly the people before you were nightmarish, hence their early aggro.

[Bill HH]

Certainly I agree with lottie, do nothing until told to do so by the council and even then do nothing without clear reasons why. Also put in a counter complaint about the next doors husband coughing and wheezing and the large amount of obnoxious phlegm coming over the fence. We had a woman living in the village we used to farm next to, her entire life was devoted to complaining, i even caught her on her knees looking under a caravan we had in the garden to see if it was connected to the sewer! When her dog died the rumour in the village was that it had committed suicide.Don't be bullied by this sad woman.

[Jay22]

You all have a point...until the council does tell you to remove them, then don't. You haven't been there long enough, I don't think, for this kind of complaint to have gotten anywhere...hang tight Lumpy, fight your girls corner!

On a side note, if her OH is so allergic to feathers, what about the garden birds? Does he stay indoors 24/7, if so problem solved. (Or are they banned from flying over/near/in their garden?)

[veggiechicken]

Have the council actually seen your hens? I'd invite them round and do nothing until they've seen them.
Is the run against next door's fence? If so, can you move it away?
If you have to rehome them, maybe there's someone on here, or local, who could take them and give you updates on their progress.

[Guest]

Oh Lumpy I am so sorry to hear you have a hole neighbours. I don't know if you really want the hassle but there is an age old law where by you can keep chickens on council property, you getting rid of them because of a complaint is you being nice not because you are obliged to. I would certainly get the council to investigate the case and invite them to see the birds and get them to keep a record. I say the latter as it might be that your neighbours are going to complain a lot, but at least if you make the council check it will build paperwork and a case against your neighbour.

Oh and by any chance do they feed the birds?

[muddled]

I had a neightbour who did this.
I lived here happily...she moved in next door and made my life a misery.

They're bullies Lumpy, and for bullies the answer is alsways the same.

YOU STAND UP.

Get out there now, this minute and start painting the fence.
Then begin attaching frames to it for your climbers...frames taller than the fence so she can be in no doubt.

If she has a word to say, make yourself plain.
Tell her, calmly and quietly, with menace oozing from every pore and a twisted smile on your lips....if your chickens go your new hobby will be to ruin her life.
Every day.
In every way.
Forever.

Most council are coming around to backyard hens. Especially well kept, clean hens kept as part of 'an alternative lifestyle' (that kind of means you're a minority) or as a way to stave off depression. Don't move your girls on until you absolutely have to.

Bullies.
I hate them

[Nicos]

Are you able to get several of your old neighbours to write a short letter ( or you write it for them and ask if they'll sighn it ) to say that as previous neighbours they had no problems with your chooks.
Then present them all to the council.

you can always say they are part of your OHs therapy ...which must be the case.

yep- stand up to them- but I'd do it firmly, but in a whiter than white friendly way

Are your other neighbours happy to see them?

[Nicos]

Are there any children nearby who would like to come over with their moms/dads to feed them and have a cuddle?
Nothing like getting a bit of local support...espesh with the kids!

[lottie dolly]

How did the council get in touch with you,letter,door knock,surely they put some other info to you,as in what the next steps are likely to be ext,like contacting you again,

[Jungle Jane]

When I moved here,the neighbour came round mine in a right moody disrespectful way & told me to move my car,I wasn't blocking his drive that much,I had builders out front of mine so parked a little bit further along,but I'd never block someone's drive completely. Anyway I said hold on I'l just put baby in the car seat,he was really horrible. BUT the people who lived here previously to me,were always blocking the road & his drive,so he thought I was going to be the same as the previous & pre judged me. After a couple of years we started talking,I was accepted as a good neighbour & we got on alright. So don't worry at all. It could be that they've had problems with the previous people & they're trying to be king of the road,keep you controlled. DONT let them treat you this way,keep your chooks they're part of your family,they can move if their environment is unsuitable for them surely? What colour are you painting the fence?

[Scarlet]

Hang fire Lumpy! Take a deep breath and hold tight until you are forced to get rid. You've been there too short a time for rats to be a nuisance and as for a feather allergy, personally I think thats b@ll@@ks!