Need advice on how to get rid of our neighbours 'barnyard'

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    May4th on 01/01/2014 - 09:04

    i would also like to hear about the origins of your username, among other things

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      [Deactivated] on 02/01/2014 - 02:55

      He (let's face it, he's a he) watched the movie Orgazmo shortly before creating this account. Or another account on a different site a while ago and it became his go to.

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  AMLagonda on 01/01/2014 - 13:31

  +5

  I think he is watching a NYE bon fire…..

  and cooking a few chooks.

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  dswilloughby on 02/01/2014 - 10:26

  +2

  Surprised no one has mentioned the normal alternatives.

  Get a couple of bird scarers for the bird problem. Owls work well from bunnings to keep the majority away, I'd put at least two up. Another variety is a hawk which you usually hang up on a wire as it is wide and is supposed to flap a bit in the wind, put this one up high as it will actually keep the chickens very quiet [scared silly of them]. Many country folk use these so no it's not mean or cruel.
  As for the mice, get a cat or two. Just try to get the more playful varieties and keep it outside more often as a fat lazy housecat won't do much. If you play with them and razzle them up a bit as a kitten they usually end up being good hunters. A kitten off a farm would be perfect.

  Good Luck.

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    JediJan on 02/01/2014 - 12:05

    +1

    The fake owls and hawks sound like a great idea but I don't know that they would work so well with the nocturnal rats. If people weren't poisoning the rats then the native prey birds would have a chance to survive; they would be more effective in keeping the numbers down of the rodents. Many cane farmers adopted going back to basics and were building nest sites for the owls to return after ceasing poisoning; the owls were more effective at keeping the rodents numbers down.

    The last thing Australia needs right now is cats. I am totally fed up with binning the remains of native birdlife, that so called "domesticated" and feral cats leave in my yard. Feral cats and dogs have killed off and endangered too many of Australia's wildlife as it is, not only by killing their prey but competing and winning the prey of our wildlife. Cats are the cane toads of Australia. And, if you are concerned about smell from the chickens, not much is worse than the faeces that others cats leave in neighbours yards, and the spread of toxoplasmosis between cats and rats (which can be fatal for unborn babies and serious complications for the mothers, the young and unwell). No, I am not a cat hater, but keep your cats at home please.

    People, remember to always wear gloves in the garden to protect yourself from neighbours cat's diseases. Don't believe me? Then do some research on toxoplasmosis or ask your family doctor.

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      [Deactivated] on 02/01/2014 - 12:41

      Cats are the cane toads of Australia.

      What does that make cane toads!? ;-p

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        JediJan on 02/01/2014 - 13:05

        Well we all know cane toads are a total biological, environmental disaster of the century for the northern end of Australia; they are even rampant in Kakadu now. We can blame the Government for that one for introducing them to combat the cane beetle. Cats though, unfortunately, have been here far longer than them and are widespread all over Australia. Goodbye native fauna.

        Ps. I experienced toxoplasmosis even though I always wear gloves in the garden. It only takes a scratch for the germs to invade though. The illness, for me as young and healthy person at the time (fortunately not pregnant at the time) was extremely debilitating … I was about 8-8 1/2 stone but reduced to 7 stone, nightly sweats, general weakness and also developed pleurisy. The prior experience showed up in later pregnancy testing too.

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        leiiv on 02/01/2014 - 18:46

        -1

        I could not really imagine what can the cats do to the native fauna. Are they eating or attacking the native fauna? The fat lazy housecat?? Aren't they suppose to eat only the canned cat food?
        And how did you end up with the toxoplasmosis? Is it because of direct scratch from the claws? Did the cat attack you?

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        donga100 on 02/01/2014 - 18:57

        +3

        They are pretty nasty. See here and here

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        JediJan on 03/01/2014 - 13:17

        +1

        Cats (and feral dogs) are well known to have wiped out most of the small marsupials in Australia; quite well documented actually. I am a bit surprised you seem unaware of the serious decline of native fauna. Domesticated and feral cats have all but wiped most species out. Look at the decline of the endangered bilbys, bandicoots and also the quolls (which cannot compete for food with the cats with their supply diminished). Most of the others you have probably never even heard of as they simply no longer exist. Maybe a visit to your local museum would help enlighten you on the decline of native species. To be fair the native dogs and cross breed dingoes (introduced) have taken their share also. Fat, lazy housecats? I have no problem with people keeping them at home on their own property but unfortunately many owners feel it is fine for their cats to take on the wildlife also. My cousin keeps cats but she always keeps them indoors or in an outside cat cage/run so hers are not causing anyone any problems at all. That is what responsible cat owners do.

        Toxoplasmosis; not diagnosed until extensive tests carried out. I became seriously ill with it; we thought it was glandular fever at first as I had been exposed to this. Doctors told me it is extremely easy to contract; only the slightest scratch touching affected soil etc. (Haven't you noticed the absence of sand pits for young children today; who would have them?) I did/do a lot of gardening for my parents. Cats never came/come near me; we always chase/d them away, certainly have never encouraged them. Used to leave cut lemon pieces in certain areas to try and deter them; tried just about everything. Neighbours cats would use my (elderly) parents property as their toilet though and am forever cleaning it up for them; it stinks like nothing else believe me! If you are a cat owner who lets your cat roam, perhaps you should check where it is toileting; out of minimal respect towards your neighbours. How would you feel if your cat caused the death of an unborn baby? Don't take my word for it; ask your own doctor/nurse or medical professional. Perhaps you think the risks (to others) are okay by you; but I simply don't. I was one of the lucky ones; antibiotics saved me! I don't think anyone should own a cat without getting an education on toxoplasmosis; it can be deadly.

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        leiiv on 03/01/2014 - 14:07

        I do not have any cats nor dogs, and I have never seen any cats or dogs roaming on the streets without their owner, so pardon my ignorance. However, I am concerned with the toxoplasmosis. From your story, it seems that it has more to do with contact to the feces rather than to the cat itself.

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        JediJan on 03/01/2014 - 15:21

        My understanding is that the disease is usually spread from rodents through cats which then pass this on to humans, often through their faeces left in the soil. I always wear/wore gloves because I didn't like touching soil where the cats may have possibly been. I believe the saliva from an infected cat could also carry the bacteria. I don't think there is much else you can do to avoid contracting it, other than wearing gloves.

        I do admit that I knew nothing of this illness until I contracted it myself, but I was told that women's and children's hospitals were all too very aware of the prevalence of, illness and fatalities caused by this disease. Women undergo blood tests at the time of pregnancy and my personal testing did show my past exposure to it many years later. Only reason I mentioned it here was because someone suggested getting cats to deal with the rodents; didn't really want to get off track. We are all learning. Cats are supposed to remain on their own properties but very few owners seem to manage that responsibility well. I can only suggest that you wear gloves whilst gardening as it is nigh on impossible to keep neighbours cats out of your garden, even if you have dogs. You are very lucky if you don't have that problem; wish I didn't have to put up with them. I suspect the ones I am currently having problems with are "domesticated" felines whose owners believe it is "a cat's right to roam" (although actually it isn't).

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        Speckled Jim on 22/01/2014 - 10:18

        Within a three year period, we adopted two adult cats. First a female, more recently a male. Not from a shelter, they sort of adopted us. We believe they were neglected and abused. They're both already desexed and after vets scanning and finding no RFID chips, we had that done to formally "own" them.

        The problem for us is, neither are litter trained and despite our best efforts, they rarely (if ever) use the indoor trays provided. They do use prepped dirt patches in our garden beds at front and rear of our property, so they're allowed outside and confined indoors overnight. Most of the time.

        Well, the timid male was seriously attacked November last year. We suspect by another cat, not 100% sure which. So I bought materials to make a cat run in the back yard. At considerable expense, but after his ordeal of needing a drain tube and stitches for his necrotic abcess, it doesn't bother us.

        It's possible our female was his attacker! So…another $150 later we have an RFID cat flap (not yet installled) that will allow him exclusive access to the garage. The garage has a back door with a basic flap already. That flap will lead to his cat run.

        They can still escape despite our best efforts to keep them inside. Open the front door, and if determined to do so, they're quick enough to sneak past you as you try to enter. Once the cat run is done, if I open the garage roller door he could run out.

        Cat herding isn't easy. We're trying to address these issues, but in the meantime our neighbourhood has dozens of cats roaming at all hours. Council reforms are overdue, but compliance and enforcement will be another can of worms.

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  txb on 03/01/2014 - 15:08

  -1

  Christ, grow some balls and talk to them like a normal person.

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    grasstown on 03/01/2014 - 19:48

    My talk would be "when are you going to take it down?" or "when are you going to move it away from the boundary and against your house". After that I would go straight to council. Their disregard does not deserve more. It's not just having a legal grounding, council and councillors will ensure its more satisfactory for the op.

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  Orgazmo on 09/01/2014 - 14:34

  Since posting this, it sounds like theres now >1 rooster as I get multiple and different style cock-a-doodle-doo's each morning from 4am. Although I could be mistaken as they generally fight if they're in the same enclosure.

  I CBF showing a photo of the setup but from what I can tell, they've spent a few hundred on buying it and a reasonable amount of time setting it up. I highly doubt they will just do as I say and just remove it all if I ask them. They have only been adding to it, tacking bits of fiberglass type sheeting and old window blinds for shade to it. I'm not sure if they're going for the modern or contempory look…

  I haven't taken any action as yet but I'll call the council soon and while I'm at it let them know someone seems to be breeding dogs in a nearby house as it sounds like 5+ dogs in a enclosed area. I doubt it's legit and if it was, it's almost guaranteed to be cruel since I regularly hear some nice fellow screaming at them because they bark.

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    [Deactivated] on 09/01/2014 - 14:52

    Have you done research on the council's website about what the current by laws are in this area.

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    c0balt on 09/01/2014 - 15:37

    +2

    What area do you live in? I want to know so I never make the mistake of moving there.

    10+ days of 4am wake up calls would drive most people insane, take any form of action already.

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    JediJan on 09/01/2014 - 23:47

    Sounds like things are getting totally ridiculous for you. This is the stuff of neighbourhood disputes for sure; roosters simply do not belong in suburbia. I think I would have told the neighbours that it is affecting your sleep and perhaps they would have rethought the whole menagerie thing, or even considered moving to a more rural area. Perhaps the RSPCA would be more helpful than a visit from the Council. Most properties actually do have a limit on the number of dogs and cats; hopefully not an illegal puppy farm or worse. It's probably the number of rats and mice from the chicken run, that are setting off those dogs barking too.

    When I complained to Council about the number of cats (unsure whether ferals … almost said federals … or domesticated) and the resultant dead wildlife, about having these by-laws if they won't take any action, they did send me a number of brochures about these so I did my own local letterbox drop. These leaflets are quite informative about the fact that cats are not permitted to roam at will. They do offer cat traps free of charge if you want them, but I would rather the cat owners did the right thing. The number of cats actually did drop off a bit for a while, but there has been a change in neighbours over the years, so perhaps another letter box drop is due.

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    diddy50 on 14/01/2014 - 14:50

    can I ask why it is taking so long to complain?

    you seem to be stewing on this and that makes it worse, but you have also not done anything about it.

    Like you are complaining but not making the effort at having it fixed

    (didn't want to seem like a douche with my above comments - sorry)

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  onlyletters on 10/01/2014 - 10:23

  +1

  Catch a feral cat and put it in their cage, that'll fix all your problems.

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  anna10 on 14/01/2014 - 18:01

  -1

  Talking about roosters, there was an item on the local ABC news last week that the RSPCA can't fit in any more roosters given up. They get a few because when people buy chooklets you can't tell if it's a male or a female.

  A chook breeder said that to quieten the rooster, put it in a box and put it in the shed at night. Presumably then the rooster doesn't then can't tell it's morning time, or maybe, you just can't hear it in a box in a shed.

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  snook on 16/01/2014 - 13:34

  I don't know what state you're in but in NSW, Council's have, in their Development Control Plan (DCP) or Local Environment Plan (LEP), something called exempt and complying development. This is development that is allowed without submitting a DA. If it doesn't fit into any of these categories, the structure itself is simply not allowed, never mind the birds.

  Most times, you are not allowed to build a structure over 1m in height, or over 25 sqm in area, without development consent (a DA) and that structure also has to be a certain distance from any boundary. I.e.it can not be attached to the boundary.

  I had an issue with a barking dog waking me up at 5.30 every morning and going non-stop for 3 hours, then sometimes non-stop to 1am on a school night. I did the anonymous thing and I also complained directly to them. They didn't care and complained right back that my dogs bark too when i'm out. This is true but my dogs aren't waking anyone up before 10am and I make an effort not to let them out of the house late at night if i'm out - i.e, i try to be really considerate because I know how annoying they are. Anyway, nothing changed until I complained to Council and Council sent a letter to them. Other neighbours hated the dog yapping too but they were too gutless to say/do anything. They obviously know it was me that complained and they don't talk to me but who cares - we didn't talk before and now that bloody dog has stopped yapping. Problem solved.

  Edit: The Council told me that they had sent the letter but it was no guarantee that the yapping would stop. To progress the matter further, if required, they sent me a form to keep a record of the times that the dog yapped. The record was to be at least 2 weeks long.

  I would suggest that you document the structure & issues, suck up the feelings, and send it to Council. Let them deal with it. They don't do much else.

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  kuikui on 21/01/2014 - 13:22

  Log a compliant to city council and they can sort it out. or You can make rooster soup :)

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