Let's talk chickens.

debbie in seattle

debbie in seattle

Senior Member
Location
Seattle
Let's start off with the fact I don't know the front end to the back end of a chicken. Our neighbors, a couple of young bucks with a young child. They've decided they want chickens. I don't care what anyone does as long as it doesn't interfere with me. Well, these stupid chickens are noisy, all day long, I mean nonstop. Starts at 5 am and continues. Earlier this week, we were out on our deck and heard this 'screaming', I thought a woman was in distress somewhere close by, no, it was some stupid chicken in their yard! Is this early morning interference with our sleep a rooster? We live in an unincorporated county so chickens are ok, but no roosters. We noticed they are now building some coop of some kind. What would you guys do?
 

That's a tough one. Ask them to give up their dream so you can get some sleep? I've no good answer but let's hope they keep the place clean because nothing smells worse that chicken manure on a hot day. Unless it's pig.
 
Perhaps they won't mind you raising a few red foxes, which ought to keep the noise level down if not eliminate it entirely over time. :cool: Cats will do the trick too.

Seriously though, I'm not sure what you can do except talk to them. They may not realize just how noisy the birds are and just what it's doing to your sleep. I have written about my neighbor and their very noisy miniature dachshund that barks at everything.
 

I think there are chickens allowed where I live, maybe just a few but no roosters, which cause most of the noise disturbances. Some chickens may make some noise when stressed or threatened.

I can't say I have any real experience with owning chickens or having them next door, but I had a Golden Retriever next to me for years that barked nonstop, day and night, like crazy and to keep peace with the neighbor, I just learned to block it out and try to think positively about it. I'd rather have a loud barking dog near my back bedroom window, than a dangerous and aggressive one who would kill my cat or dog, or maul me. I know....no help here. :)
 
You'll get used to it. There is not a happier sound that that made by a hen who has just laid an egg.

Look on the bright side. It could be worse. They could have a pet sulphur crested cockatoo.
 
Talk to them before they build their coop. Express how noisy they are and hope that they will build their coop on the opposite side of your property...otherwise you'll be making chicken soup one day.

Chickens usually aren't that noisy unless they lay an egg or are threatened by something. Roosters make noise all day long.
 
If there is no city ordinance against them having chickens there is not a lot you can do.

They are allowable here also but you can only have 'X' and no roosters......thankfully neither one of of my neighbors have chickens or any other type of loud pet.

You may want to see how many they have vs how many they are allowed.
 
"Let's start off with the fact I don't know the front end to the back end of a chicken." - that's easy.. the front end clucks and the back end lays eggs.

I live in a small rural village and many people here keep chickens and sheep. It's part or rural life. Sometimes they escape and it's not unusual to find the odd chicken or sheep wandering around our garden. Even had cows wandering round.

Be nice to your neighbours and you might get a few fresh eggs.
 
IKE said:
If there is no city ordinance against them having chickens there is not a lot you can do.

They are allowable here also but you can only have 'X' and no roosters......thankfully neither one of of my neighbors have chickens or any other type of loud pet.

You may want to see how many they have vs how many they are allowed.
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Yes find out the city ordinances regarding raising livestock in your area. A friend of mine once inherited a hundred ducklings. Don't ask. The neighbors complained over the noise they made and my friend was required to relocate the ducklings or give them up so he relocated to another state. My point is, there are laws in place to protect private citizens from the unacceptable noise made from people raising livestock in unapproved areas.
 
Good morning to all- We have chickens in the back. We don't live in the city limits, and since we've been here longer than anyone else, we can do pretty much what we want. A couple of things- first, you will get used to the sound made by chickens fairly quickly- you will. also, if it's a real problem with you, ask the neighbors if they can get rid of the roosters- just like men, the males are the noisy ones.
And if you work with the neighbors, you WILL get some of the best eggs you've ever eaten. If you've never cooked with REAL eggs, you'll be amazed at the difference in taste, color, and texture of the REAL eggs.
Sorry the chickens are a problem- we can't live without our yardbirds.
good day to all- Ed
 
We have some people with chickens in our neighborhood, and they are not bad, and you do get used to it. Unless there is zoning against them or deed restrictions, there isn't much of anything you can do about it. As to the coop, you can politely ask that they build it on the side that is not adjacent to your property, but again there's probably not too much you can do about it.

When I was a little kid, my folks had chickens, so I'm not much bothered by them. I don't even mind a rooster crowing in the morning.
 
Where we are there a one house that does have chickens. But the zoning has exact measures of how far the yard has to be from the street and from nearby neighbors. The only advice I have are foam earplugs.
 
You must be super sensitive. We have chickens and I personaly find the gentle clucking to be an incredibly soothing peaceful sound. Yes you do get the occasional squawk when there is a conflict in the pen. If their chickens are fighting or scuffling all the time, there are probably to many for their enclosure.

Even if you do not know the front from the back, you should be able to tell a cock from a hen. The rooster makes the unmistakable "ER ER ER- ER ERE" sound while a contented hen makes a low clucking that is almost a purr.

As others have said most municipalities that allow chickens do ban roosters, and they all have a usually lengthy list of restrictions and requirements for urban chicken keeping.

Check your ordinances to see whether your people are in compliance or not, if they are not check with yourself on whether the problem is serious enough to warrant possible neighbor issues,then follow your conscience.
 
Robusta said:
You must be super sensitive. We have chickens and I personaly find the gentle clucking to be an incredibly soothing peaceful sound. Yes you do get the occasional squawk when there is a conflict in the pen. If their chickens are fighting or scuffling all the time, there are probably to many for their enclosure.

Even if you do not know the front from the back, you should be able to tell a cock from a hen. The rooster makes the unmistakable "ER ER ER- ER ERE" sound while a contented hen makes a low clucking that is almost a purr.

As others have said most municipalities that allow chickens do ban roosters, and they all have a usually lengthy list of restrictions and requirements for urban chicken keeping.

Check your ordinances to see whether your people are in compliance or not, if they are not check with yourself on whether the problem is serious enough to warrant possible neighbor issues,then follow your conscience.
Click to expand...

I also find the clucking a peaceful and soothing sound -- kind of a sign that everything's as it should be.
 
It could be worse. If you could only hear my Jezebel braying at the crack of dawn....and then the dogs howl to show their displeasure. Luckily,we have no close neighbors and the closest also have donkeys, so we are Ok......
 

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