Should I Report My Neighbour's Chickens?

Jolakot on 14/03/2022 - 01:00
Last edited 15/03/2022 - 21:14 by 1 other user

We recently moved into a new place within Moonee Valley, and unbeknownst to us the neighbour we share a back fence with keeps about a dozen chickens

The coop is about 8m from our master bedroom, no roosters fortunately but they often wake us up in the early morning and it's driving us nuts

I don't mind chickens, and they're fine for most of the day when they're outside, but with the coop so close it feels like they're performing a concert when they all join in with egg song

Problem is that there isn't really anywhere else it can go, as their yard is long but very narrow with houses on all sides, so it's going to annoy someone no matter what

And by council rules they need 15m between any dwelling for a coop, which they don't have anywhere as it's a pretty dense area, so he won't be able to keep them at all anymore

So not sure if we should ask him to move it as far away from us as possible and risk pissing off another neighbour, or get the council to ask him to do it

Figure if we ask him to move it and it's still an issue, then it'd be pretty obvious who called the council. But if we start with the council then it could be any of 5 direct neighbours including us

What the most effective option here that won't make us assholes or enemies? Never dealt with a situation like this before

Poll Options expired

  • 202
    Complain to council first
  • 139
    Talk to neighbor first
  • 15
    Chicken coup
  • 34
    Bikies
Home & Garden

Comments

      • mskeggs on 14/03/2022 - 22:04
        +1

        Sure. But if you are complaining on behalf of other neighbours, or because they have a few extra chooks, don't be surprised if your neighbour takes an extra interest in if your dog is barking more than they would like.

        My starting point for neighbourly disputes is rarely "what rules can I see the neighbour breaking?" but rather, "Will what I am considering cause a deteriorating relationship that I have to live with?" and are there alternatives that might not?

        • Jolakot on 15/03/2022 - 14:52
          +3

          All good on that front, she only barks to alert us to people at the door (encouraged) and is fully crate-trained when we leave her at home, because we put the extra time and money into professional training so that she wouldn't be a nuisance to our neighbors, and I expect the same courtesy

          We did start with "Will what I am considering cause a deteriorating relationship that I have to live with?", that's the entire theme of this post. Leaving the chickens be is causing the relationship to deteriorate, asking him to deal with it will cause it to deteriorate, getting the council involved will cause it to deteriorate, at this point it's working out what will cause the least deterioration not if it can be avoided

          I mean we plan to stay here for a fair few years, and most of the neighbors here are quite nice if not cordial, so I don't want to make enemies or pick fights, but I also don't want to hear this several times a day at maximum volume for years to come: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VO8CZ3EV2E

  • Third_Gear on 14/03/2022 - 13:04
    +1

    Talk to the neighbour and explain what the problem is. Ask them if they can set the coop up so the door auto opens at daybreak. Fairly cheap to get off of eBay. The chickens will be relatively quiet until they get outside. 12 seems like a lot for such a small space though.

    • Jolakot on 15/03/2022 - 14:54
      +2

      Most of the noise that comes through is from egg-song as they all join in, similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VO8CZ3EV2E

      I'm not sure why they make that sound so early though, from what I know about chickens they usually lay 2-4 hours after sunrise, but they'll often do it several times a day

      • Cherry12 on 15/03/2022 - 18:45
        +4

        That would be quite annoying to hear all day, not only in the morning. Not expected in the suburbs. You are well within your rights to complain.

      • dsgfh on 17/03/2022 - 15:27

        It's actually them looking for their rooster after laying to say they're "ready", or looking for the flock with the flock replying. So the several times a day is them laying at different times & announcing it

  • cupcake on 14/03/2022 - 14:30
    +3

    Congratulations on getting yourself a new hungry cat.

  • payton on 14/03/2022 - 14:44
    +1

    Your chance to try this out, OP
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebJpoLs7AQs

  • RegentHoney on 14/03/2022 - 14:57
    +2

    Hmmm BBQ?

  • Sum-Ting Wong on 14/03/2022 - 18:13
    +27

    This is eggsactly the same problem I had.

    Tried to approach my neighbour to discuss it but he was in a real foul mood, and I was too chicken to bring up the matter. Looked like he could do with some eggsercise, or at least to get laid once in a while.

    Ended up speaking to him another time. Turned out he was a real egg-head! Was quoting the hen-cyclopedia to me, what a wierdo! I tried to have a laugh with him, but the guy can’t take a yolk.

    Well I decided not to be a chicken sh*t this time, and told him he needed to get rid of his chooks. Well, didn’t that set him off! He chased me around the yard, threatening to beat me! Luckily he became eggs-hausted pretty quickly, so I scrambled for the eggs-it.

    Then the following week, some of his chooks had gone missing, and he accused me of poaching them. “Egg-scuse me!” I told him. I hadn’t been anywhere near them. I decided, omelettin it slide this time, but anymore accusations and I’m gonna crack!

    Anyway, he ended up moving sometime later. I was absolutely egg-static!

    Hopefully your neighbour doesn’t turn out to be a bad egg like mine was!

    • jackary on 14/03/2022 - 18:42
      +1

      A thousand upvotes for the effort hahaha

    • advadv on 14/03/2022 - 20:01
      +1

      That cracked us up :-)

    • Cherry12 on 15/03/2022 - 18:55

      Funny!

    • UNO on 17/03/2022 - 19:42

      Eggcellent 🥚

  • GourmetFoodie on 14/03/2022 - 20:01
    +14

    I’d complain to council. Honestly I just don’t think people should be keeping chickens in high density areas. Regardless of when you built your house/subdivision etc.

    • TooSerious2 on 14/03/2022 - 20:53
      +2

      @GourmetFoodie, fresh eggs are best! Get 'em straight from the cloaca.

      I suggest a supply of eggs in return for buying and installing the auto gate. Everyone wins.

    • Jolakot on 15/03/2022 - 14:56
      +3

      Fair enough, seems pretty unfair that he can't keep chickens because the area has changed around him, as he has one of the few remaining full-size blocks on our street

      Guess he isn't too hard-done-by when the house he would have paid pennies for is worth 1.2m+ now though

      • mskeggs on 15/03/2022 - 15:01
        +5

        It's the vibe of it. It's the Constitution. It's Mabo. It's justice. It's law. It's the vibe and ah, no that's it.

  • Powershopz on 15/03/2022 - 14:16
    +1

    For starters - You're only allowed to have 5 chickens in that council area. If your neighbor has more than that odds are the animals aren't even registered with the council and/or they wont care about any council restrictions.

    From the diagram you posted they are already a fair distance from your house.

    It could be worse - a few chickens coo'ing is far better than noisy yappy dogs.

    Complain to the council if you want but you'll just be making a permanent enemy of your neighbor.

    • Jolakot on 15/03/2022 - 15:11
      +2

      Honestly if he got rid of half of the chickens I'd probably be happy, the noise they make seems multiplicative not additive

      They're 8 meters away from the window by Google Maps measurements, pretty much as far away from me as they can be without being closer to his own house

      The coo'ing isn't bad, almost soothing in its own way, but they do this several times a day anytime between when they wake up to mid afternoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47l396ZWWRo

      There's a yappy Westie in the Townhouse, I'd absolutely rather another one of those than the chickens, at least it sleeps in until normal hours

  • apple2016 on 15/03/2022 - 14:37

    it could be any of 5 direct neighbours including us

    Are you sure? He could have had a chat with other neighbors and settled things without going to council.

    • Jolakot on 15/03/2022 - 15:20
      +1

      You can also hear the chickens from the street, so I'm assuming there would be a dozen houses that could hear them

      But I'm not sure to be honest, I've spoken with the people in the townhouse next to us and they complained in passing as well

  • trev likes bargains on 15/03/2022 - 14:43

    Speak to the council and get some advice. I had a neighbour with pigeons and they helped solve the issue

    • cupcake on 15/03/2022 - 14:58
      +3

      Pigeons are a nightmare. They nest and poop all day if they are being fed.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2022 - 21:56
        +1

        Totally agree. Had a neighbour once years ago who had around 20-30 of them.
        We couldn't go out into our back yard in the summer as the stink was ever present… said he kept the cages clean… yah, right.

        • cupcake on 16/03/2022 - 15:20
          +2

          I had to install bird spikes on my windows as my neighbour was feeding them daily and they were nesting there. I asked him and his wife four times to stop feeding the pigeons. They then started nesting on my air conditioner, so I had to install bird spikes on that too. Then they would just sit on my roof, waiting to be fed. In the end, after 5 years, he could hear me hosing down my pavers every day so he said he would stop feeding them. I told him I told you 5 years ago to stop feeding them!
          My sister also had a pigeon problem at her house. A nest of pigeons inside her roof cavity the size of a woolies green bag! She only realised after finding bird lice in the house! It was above an upstairs bathroom but surely she could have heard them living there sooner! The guy who came to pull out the nest couldn't believe the size of it.
          Agree. They would stink, like chickens and ducks stink.

    • Jolakot on 15/03/2022 - 15:20

      Is there a way to speak with the council without making a complaint?

      • trev likes bargains on 15/03/2022 - 15:40
        +2

        Yes, just drop in and say G'day

      • Save 50 Cent on 17/03/2022 - 13:15

        No.. as soon as you walk in, they say: “Good morning. What is your complaint today?” And you better have one!

  • Herbse on 15/03/2022 - 15:54
    +2

    Use it to your benefit and get some free eggs

    • johnno07 on 17/03/2022 - 00:27
      +1

      Or some free chicken…

  • Yorkshire-Man on 15/03/2022 - 16:35
    +1

    Double glazing? Going to war with a neighbour rarely ends well.

    • mdavant on 16/03/2022 - 13:32

      Mmm double glazed roasted chicken

    • gimli on 16/03/2022 - 20:18

      but sucks not being able to have window open etc.

  • Harold Halfprice on 15/03/2022 - 17:15
    +2

    Just be respectful and speak to your neighbour first, and let them know your issues.

    If you're worried about risking pissing off another neighbour, you're guaranteed to piss them off if you escalate straight to the council first without even mentioning it to them.

  • Ron025 on 15/03/2022 - 17:31

    If he moves them to the legal 10m you will notice a huge difference.

    • Jolakot on 15/03/2022 - 21:15
      +1

      Sorry I had it wrong in the post, it's actually 15m, so almost double the distance. He'd also only be allowed half as many chickens, assuming they don't grant him a permit, which would absolutely make a difference

  • Dack Smith on 15/03/2022 - 18:54
    +1

    Time to dust off that Mossberg Tactical 500 you got in the shed, the 20 gauge has good spread that’ll cover the lot of chickens.

    You just gotta man up

  • berger on 15/03/2022 - 20:32
    -2

    Man up and speak to the neighbour first before council. Perhaps offer to help move if they are willing, could form a good friendship!

    • Jolakot on 15/03/2022 - 21:16

      Move it to where? https://i.imgur.com/HPpQYN4.png

    • UFO on 18/03/2022 - 07:52

      "Man up" and help him move the coop? Yeah… manning up alright. Complain to council OP, stuff "manning up". You have nothing to prove to inconsiderate neighbours who don't "man up" to follow the rules.

  • Bayleaf on 15/03/2022 - 21:25
    +6

    Did somebody say KFC?

    • serpserpserp on 16/03/2022 - 16:57
      +1

      I DON'T CARE

      • Bayleaf on 16/03/2022 - 22:08
        +1

        I LOVE IT

  • Munki on 15/03/2022 - 21:37
    +2

    Free range chicken are the best tasting chicken. Just saying. Just have a bbq near them and should they accidentally fall onto your bbq, it isn't your fault.

    "Oh no! These chicken just landed on my rotisserie!"

    • cuteseal on 16/03/2022 - 11:37

      Haha make a discrete hole in the fence and encourage the chooks to "migrate" over.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2022 - 22:15
    +2

    I'm quite lucky. The neighbour behind us breeds dogs. He was careful to build a shed for them near the back fence… you know… so it's virtually right beside my place yet a good distance away from his place. There was a litter of puppies not long ago! So we get to listen to that each and every day. Often late at night too!
    Council had a word with them early last year. There's been a change, it's even worse now. Great thing is they probably get around 5 large for each one they sell.
    That's a lot of incentive to breed again… and again… and again. Thankfully I do hear them call out 'shut up' once or twice a month, bless their conscientious hearts.

  • tomieraw on 15/03/2022 - 22:49

    write an anonymous letter and advise if this do not improve you'll need to refer to council

  • Name on 16/03/2022 - 08:57
    +1

    Is it only when the cage is closed in the mornings?

    We had chickens and found they wouldn't wake us up if we left the coup opened overnight. I ended up installing an automatic opener so just before sunrise and just before they start making noise, the door would open and let them out.

    • Jolakot on 16/03/2022 - 23:54

      It's before they're let out in the early morning and when they lay eggs, as they all join in for the egg song: https://youtu.be/47l396ZWWRo

    • muzzamo on 17/03/2022 - 14:50

      Curious what kind of automatic opener you installed?

      • dsgfh on 17/03/2022 - 15:30
        +1

        We've got a hensafe door, and have gifted a couple of them to family as well.

  • Jumpingmanjim on 16/03/2022 - 10:24
    +1

    Have you seen the documentary Chicken Run? That might help.

  • Bignudge on 16/03/2022 - 11:28
    -1

    Inb4 he publicly executes all the chickens one by one in the front yard to amuse all the neighbours that didn't like the chickens.

  • gromit on 16/03/2022 - 12:22
    +1

    I used to be much more tolerant and through similar incidents have tried to talking to the neighbours or writing anonymous letter first, neither of which has ever resulted in success for me. The reality is they didn't care to look up the rules or if they did they are ignoring them and don't give a crap about anyone else so just avoid the direct confrontation and call the council.

  • frostman on 16/03/2022 - 12:32
    +1

    Ask them to REMOVE THE CHICKENS if they dont have a 15M clearance.

    My friend advised the moment his neighbour bought a chicken coop adjacent to his fence, he's had a rat and mouse problem at home.
    The food and smell attract these rodents, and they wander around the backyard and fences.

    He neighbour tried to entice him with a dozen free eggs over the fence, but he declined.

  • pandadude on 16/03/2022 - 13:10

    I thought Op was going to report the chicken to KFC.

  • serpserpserp on 16/03/2022 - 16:53

    and risk pissing off another neighbour

    Geez you just moved in and you already pissed off a neighbour before this guy?

    Btw, when you complain to the council they might just tell the owner who complained.

    • Jolakot on 16/03/2022 - 23:53

      Oh nah, more so that if they moved the coop away from us then it'd just be closer to someone else and become their problem, like cleaning dead leaves with a blower, you just move the problem

  • darxtorm on 16/03/2022 - 17:38
    +1

    Chickens are awesome, if I were you I'd just adapt to them rather than forcing them to adapt to you. They are an existing part of the neighbourhood, and with every adaption to change comes growth.

    just my $0.02

    • belongsinforums on 16/03/2022 - 18:23

      Adapt to my lawnmower at midnight waking you up

      • darxtorm on 16/03/2022 - 18:48

        one is a cruel and deliberate disturbance, the other is keeping some peaceful domestic animals in a backyard. you do you tho

        • belongsinforums on 16/03/2022 - 20:52
          +1

          I changed my lawnmower sound to sound like a rooster. You sound like someone who's never lived next to roosters that wake you up at 3 am

          • darxtorm on 16/03/2022 - 21:00
            +1

            @belongsinforums: Yeah I've got a couple of roosters on my block currently and they occasionally get confused in the middle of the night; but also OP said there are no roosters, so that's not a problem here.

            Regardless, you've made your stance clear, I'm not here to change your mind :)

            • belongsinforums on 16/03/2022 - 21:01
              +1

              @darxtorm: you sound like bart when he says 'im going to swing my arms like this and if you get in the way, it's your own fault'

  • belongsinforums on 16/03/2022 - 18:23
    +3

    The amount of people here defending the one party breaking by laws shows the average person's complete lack of care for those around them

  • gimli on 16/03/2022 - 20:22

    At the end of the day if the noise is annoying you.
    Talk to neighbor first to gauge what they are willing to do. Just let them know you find it really annoying at xxx time and you don't know a great deal about chickens but were wondering if they could do anything.

    See what they can do.
    If it its still annoying then talk to the council.

  • Rsoul on 16/03/2022 - 21:28
    +1

    I hope he doesn't poison your dog when he figures out it was you who made him give up his pet chooks

    • Jolakot on 16/03/2022 - 23:48

      I sure hope not

  • hopper on 17/03/2022 - 09:07

    have similar issue with neighbour's dog, my google mini plays rain sound at volume 15% to reduce the barking every day 6am

  • crob on 17/03/2022 - 09:10
    -1

    welcome to the exciting world of cock fighting

  • MikeKulls on 17/03/2022 - 10:08
    +1

    Calling council direct without talking to your neighbour is a prick act. Go talk to them

  • edy4eva on 17/03/2022 - 10:37

    Bring in a fox, problem solved

  • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2022 - 10:53
    +3

    Is that 15m rule for you only? Local?

    My neighbour has them, and they attract brown snakes.
    Chickens attract mice, nice attract snakes.

    I live on the edge of the hills.

    I've seen an increasing amount in recent years, my cat was bitten by one. I found 1 in my garage, and then by luck I found 1 on my pool cover because my cat was crying at it.

    I complained to council, and my neighbour and they still keep them.

    Unfortunately nothing you can do, I don't understand how residential homes are okay for chickens.

    • dsgfh on 17/03/2022 - 15:34
      -1

      So you've found 2 snakes over several years? Yup, the chickens are definitely a nuisance /s

      • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2022 - 17:29
        +1

        No,

        Cat was bitten 2 years ago, I found 2 Snakes late last year.

        This is just what I have seen when home, there could be many many more around.

  • alexm1 on 17/03/2022 - 11:51

    My neighbor decided to grow some trees in north side of my small block (under 400 sqm) which is south of his block. Trees blocked sun light. Can I do anything about that?

  • WeHaveRicePudding on 17/03/2022 - 12:51

    I just want to know what the Bikies are gonna do?

    • inertia8 on 17/03/2022 - 19:25
      +2

      ruffle some feathers?

      • Jolakot on 18/03/2022 - 22:41

        You gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette…

  • dsgfh on 17/03/2022 - 15:39
    +2

    So what's the guys name? Is he married or has his wife passed? Have you said hello to him? Asked him why he keeps so many chickens?

    I'd start with a conversation. He probably has no idea they're bothering you as he's no doubt always kept them while the suburb gets built up around him.
    His property value won't mean much too him given he won't be able to afford to move to something equivalent without taking a bigger block in the country (away from health services you need as you age) so he's no doubt lamenting getting boxed in by developers who have bought up the blocks around him, cut down all the fruit trees he used to see over his fence, etc.

  • Homr on 17/03/2022 - 16:24

    woo hoo, I wish I was in OPs situation, free 6am alarm clock

  • realaaa on 17/03/2022 - 16:36
    -1

    wow this is sad the poll results..

    people don't believe in talking to each other anymore it seems!

    • Grish on 17/03/2022 - 22:10
      +1

      What possible benefit can talking do in this situation though?

      If he's doing something illegal and been getting away with it for who knows how long, it's probably about time he gets that knock on the door.

      • realaaa on 18/03/2022 - 00:31

        well that's exactly my point - you know, back in the day, people could speak to each other, and resolve most of their day to day things, without involving authorities as their first step

        I think it is fair to lay out your view to the neighbor, explaining your issue with this, asking politely if they are willing to cooperate, and why not even being honest about what could be your possible next step (depending on how the conversation goes)

        • Grish on 18/03/2022 - 07:50
          +2

          But the point is the neighbour with the chooks can't actually do anything other than get rid of them, it's an all or nothing situation, not a cooperation or some kind of "meet you half way neighbour" type deal.

  • genus on 17/03/2022 - 19:55
    +1

    Happened to my father decades ago. Council made him get rid of a few chooks on an anonymous complaint.
    Never forgot his reply went something like … I see some would prefer to collect fresh dog turds than eggs for breakfast. And they deserve to enjoy it, as is their right.

  • mauricem on 18/03/2022 - 00:15

    Mobile chook coops/caravans are a great idea, drag them around the yard to new locations as each neighbour complains, fertilising the lawn and giving the chooks a holiday.
    6 chooks seems reasonable, 12 is too many for sure.

  • T3J on 18/03/2022 - 07:28

    As a chicken owner we just had this conversation ourselves.

    We live on a property out of town thankfully so it's not concern to us but this is exactly why we moved out of town years ago to have more freedom. Backyard chickens are not allowed at all in my LGA within town boundaries, we are allowed to keep them in our area though.

    It's a hard situation but if you live in town you have to respect the rules and the fact you have others living close by like the OP.

    Personally I'd talk to them about it first and gauge how receptive they are to change rather than setting an overly bureaucratic council rep onto them, I know I'd appreciate it if it was my chickens. If they don't give a toss, escalate.

    Good luck, town living has its pros and cons…

  • eurofoti on 18/03/2022 - 10:29

    Just ask for some free eggs.

  • Loopholio on 18/03/2022 - 11:09

    Try using a noise machine to sleep at night. I use a hella cheap 2.1 sound system with a memory card filled with a single rain sound effect I found on YouTube.

    I did spent many hours over a week finding the perfect rain sound to match my system, but now I don't wake with every random sound.

    Buy a cheap plastic table set, sit with some coffee and watch the chooks chook about.

  • payton on 18/03/2022 - 11:18

    Bikies?! Pfft, invite the Vikings

  • Mahalo on 18/03/2022 - 11:22

    Dont be a chicken and cross the road to talk to your neighbour. Now if he is a cock about it report to council.

  • girafficlight on 18/03/2022 - 11:40

    Ask them for free eggs.. Money saved, life complete

  • toby21 on 18/03/2022 - 14:00
    -2

    The people voting 'complain to council first', are a part of what's wrong with the world.

    • payton on 18/03/2022 - 14:08
      -1

      nope, its the people who've never been taught to be considerate - it ruins the block & neighbourhood for all
      "gee my pets, screaming kids, doof doof cars and music are bloody loud, I should turn it down so we all can have a quiet enjoyment of our property"

      Its the difference between shit suburbs and desirable ones

    • gromit on 18/03/2022 - 15:05
      +1

      The people making selfish decisions and don't consider the negative impact to others are what's wrong with this world. case in point the neighbour putting chickens too close to other peoples houses, the regulations exist for a reason.

  • Maxi1 on 21/03/2022 - 08:39

    Try having chickens right next to bedroom windows

  • Jolakot on 24/03/2022 - 12:44
    +4

    Given the poll results and comments, as well as a bit more time to adjust, I've decided that I really don't mind the chickens all that much, and that I'd feel pretty bad if he had to get rid of them all, figure he has the right to enjoy his property just as much as I do mine

    And I've realized that the majority of the noise came from the 2 giant brown chickens with deep voices (Our hobby-farm family friend said they're New Hampshire Reds), as the noise from the smaller chickens is no worse than the dozens of local magpies, so I'd be happy if he brought the chickens down to a reasonable number

    I was up early one morning and took a peek at the coop before he let them out, and they seemed pretty crammed in together, looked like there was a carpet tile worth of space per chicken, can't blame them for wanting to be let out into the yard asap

    So I ended up calling council last Monday and asked them to do an animal welfare check, mostly so they'd get him to keep it to 6 chickens max, and to make sure they had enough space. Seems like it went over well as I've haven't been woken up by them this week, we can still hear them during the day but it just joins the general background noise of suburban birds now, seems like he got rid of a few and is also getting them out earlier

    Pretty happy with the compromise, seems like everyone wins… Other than the vanished chickens that is

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