So, Animal Control was called…

[@GeorgiasGarden]

Finally a happy ending to animal control story.

[@euphoniahale5181]

These people need to go to a factory farm and see REAL mistreatment. So glad you were there for her.

[@Sandra-hk8ks]

@@euphoniahale5181 they are completely doing away with factory farming anymore

[@KibaNicole]

Literally. People are something else nowadays

[@carriejones9890]

I started my chicken journey 11 years ago. I live in a suburban area so I called the city hall first and made sure that chickens were allowed. they were OK with no limits as long as there were no complaints from neighbors. I’ve never had a problem or complaint from anyone. When a new neighbor moves in I like to stop by and introduce myself and let them know that I have chickens and they will occasionally make a little noise if there’s a predator spotted or when they sing the happy egg song. I always bring a dozen eggs as a gift. Most people are delighted to have a neighbor with chickens. This year I celebrated the 11th birthday of one of my original Easter Eggers, Ginger. I love my girls so much. It’s been a wonderful journey.❤

[@cindyspiess9963]

Very nice 😊

[@MyTNMtnHome]

She is fortunate to have you as her friend. So supportive.

[@hardnackfarms1736]

First off government is way too big! What a poopy neighbor!!! I am thankful to live out in the country where my chickens have a ChickenHilton to live in and are very loved. I love that people in the city are taking in chickens and giving them a good home. I cry when I see those deplorable factory farms. Poor chickens. I absolutely adore my chickens. They even go in the tornado shelter when there is a possibility. I am so sad that happened to her. We got 11 inches of rain and I had my husband get wood chips with the tractor to spread in their run. Because I knew the mud was bad for the chickens. I have learned a lot from you and another channel. Glad you’re the chicken President of Chickenlandia❤️ Have a blessed day! Wendy🧡🍁

[@alyssa_the_noodle5228]

We had animal control called on butcher day… the cops and animal control showed up to our rural area home. The cops left with a shrink wrapped bird each. Our birds lived great lives up till their one bad day, and it’s much more ethical than a factory

[@erinwill6743]

I completely agree and I am a vegetarian but raise animals for family to consume. I figured if they are going to eat it , at least I know how they are treated up until the day they are processed

[@robinsouth8555]

Your friend is lucky to have you as a friend, in her time of stress you had her back, priceless.

[@andromedashun12]

Chicken story time! And neighbors. First of, I live in the Netherlands, so the rules are probably different here, but that's besides the point. We have 5 chickens, 3 full-sized Barnevelds and 2 small Chochins in two seperate pens (because the Barnevelds are raptors and would compete to much with the tiny Cochins). All 5 chickes are rescues from two different situations. Those two pens are across the propertyline between me and my neighbor. We both wanted chickens (even before we sort of by accident started rescuing them) and we both disliked our completely fenced in, claustrophobic backyards so we removed the high fence inbetween and replaced it with the chicken coops/runs and a lower fence that keeps her dog and my cats out of eachothers way. All our direct neighbors LOVE our chickens. People bring scraps for them (our just trow them over the fence in one case, they know what is and isn't allowed) and one family even brings their grandchilderen around to look at and pet the chickens. I lucked out!

[@111scone]

I was given a Barnevelder and love her, I wish I could afford another one.

[@monicafamalett855]

That sounds great, so happy for you and your neighbor and all of your chickens ❤️

[@evelynwoolston7]

We put heaps of dry, raked up, fallen leaves in our chicken run when it got muddy. It made a better floor covering than bare wet soil. We collect them by the sack full. Normally they go on our compost heap but the chicken run was even better. The chickens picked out the bugs and loved scratching it around. And when we want to change it, it will be minced up and nicely impregnated for the compost heap. In 2 years it will become wonderful leaf mould which we can mix with vermicompost, sharp sand and coir to make amazing potting compost.

[@Alluvial.]

This! For us in the PNW, autumn means stuffing the chicken yard full of ALL the freshly fallen, dry, big leaf maple leaves, (3 feet deep is a win) and then stringing up a big tarp over the run so the leaves (and chickens) stay out of the rain over the winter. They have so much fun picking through the leaves looking for “organic bug snacks!” (Just make sure the leaves are from a non-toxic tree, that was never sprayed with chemicals).

[@wendycol8354]

​@@Alluvial.What kind of trees are toxic for Chickens? I was thinking of raking the leaves from my neighbors tree that have fallen in our yard.

[@Alluvial.]

@@wendycol8354 That is such a huge topic! And super location-dependent! I only know about the local trees I grew up with, and every other locality will be different. Also landscape trees are a whole other category, too! Might be safest to flip the question and get really clear on just one or two local trees that lots of local people agree are safe for chickens. Start by googling, but definitely talk to live people near you. You can ask around at your local feed store, and if you are in the US you should be able to call your local county extension agent for advice. It’s a critical issue so they should have data to share.

[@chakagomez8129]

that is such a great idea.! that would solve 2 problems for me. i have a ton of leaves this year and the fire department is not thrilled.

[@evelynwoolston7]

@@Alluvial. I love the tarp idea

[@abewilderedrabbit]

We were worried when our guineas started going over to the neighbors house, but she actually messages if she doesn't see them for a few days to make sure they're okay, and asked how she can get them over there more! Lol. She leaves a variety of treats I suggested for them out in her backyard for them now.

[@cindyspiess9963]

🥰

[@lizv3634]

I love this!!!!!

[@Liesbeth22]

Oooh how amazing! I was worried about my escaping chickens as well. The little ones can go under the fence of my neighbor's garden. So I asked thel (well I apologized 😂😂) and they said they kinda liked it and found it funny how they always peaked to see if anyone was there before entering their garden and politely coming to say hi 😂😂 What a blessing to have such neighbors! I had neighbors checking in on ly goose as well in summer when she was broody. 'She's not gone is she? Where is the goose? Is she alright?' 😅 While I had been so very concerned because my goosr is... a wee bit very loud 😂😂

[@abewilderedrabbit]

@Liesbeth22 it really is a blessing!

[@jpfore1]

What an awful neighbor. I’ve had a neighbor who said I was white trash for having chickens. Once she realized I take care of them and their space, she lightened up a bit. I would be devastated if someone tried to have my flock taken away. 😢😢

[@ellenclayton5955]

White trash? That is insight into her ugly heart.

[@ShortbusMooner]

Since I started keeping chickens, 3 other neighbors got them, too- and one got quail! LOL! Glad we don't have any Karens in my neighborhood..

[@jonathanedwardgibson]

Who knew America’s spirit-animal was a squirrel? I can walk like a chicken for this. Busy-bodies are a chronic problem. I am Sparticus!

[@granitemoss1451]

I live in a rural area where there are neighbors, but we are not right on top of each other in my area. Some have chickens. If it's a quiet enough day, we an just hear my neighbor's rooster and then he and my rooster have a crow-off! Another neighbor says she loves sitting out with her coffe on nice mornings, listening to my rooster greet the day (not loud at her place). Here wild predators are a much bigger problem than neighbors.

[@blackcrowcottage]

I live on a 201 acre farm & the closest neighbor has donkeys that bray off & on all day, I love listening to them, so I'm good

[@yomama1254]

Every neighborhood has a karen keeping themselves busy spreading their inner unhappiness. Sigh

[@MapleMudPermaculture]

Been having similar problems with my own neighbors ever since I moved here. Apparently I starve my animals and don't give them enough water although they live in a food forest with a POND. Thoughts and prayers to your friend. I know she's doing her best with something that is difficult and exhausting. I recommend planting trees and shrubs to improve the drainage in her chicken setup and to throw ashes and mulch in there as well. It'll build up the soil and in a little while, it'll no longer be muddy. ❤❤

[@barbd180]

I've had my 4 Black Australorps for 4 years this next spring, and I simply love having chickens. I imprinted my dog on them and the baby chicks on my dog, and they are fast friends. The only issue I have is when one of my hens lays an egg, sometimes the sing "the egg song," and it's pretty loud. My coop is right next to the side fence of my neighbors' home, and I've never had a complaint. The noise only stresses *me* out, worrying that it's bothering my neighbor. I always go outside to praise the "singer," and then she will stroll back into the yard. Mine only use their coop to sleep at night, and lay their eggs in the egg box. I have a great backyard for free ranging, with a flat area, a grape vine along a fence that provides grapes and lots of shade in the summer, a hill that is terraced with lots of areas for them to scratch and find seeds and bugs and more shade. My neighbor across the street started his flock when I did, and he has two hens and two ducks. I love hearing the quacks and the hen's conversations from across the street. Now there are at least two other families with hens on the street, so we're all pretty lucky!

[@chubbybottomacres]

offer the neighbor hearing the singing some of that ladies eggs and tell her the chickens name. so she can smile when she hears the egg song

[@Thingys-Jill]

I am so happy for your friend and shame on that neighbor. None of my neighbors have ever complained. Some of them grew up with chickens and their parents have chickens.

[@AlternativeHomesteading]

PNut 2.0

[@KellyRoehm-f5d]

Exactly what I was thinking.​@@AlternativeHomesteading

[@Sandra-hk8ks]

No, not shame on that neighbor. I raise chickens on 10 acres. This is stinking thinking. If she has mud she has way tomany chickens and they need to be dry. Especially in the Seattle area. She will never have peace in Seattle. Horrid place to live. No one minds their own business, they're all in everyone's business. If I were her just give up half the chickens or move to a larger place.

[@Thingys-Jill]

@@Sandra-hk8ks People need time to rectify the mud. Her chickens are well taken care of as the Animal Control Officer said.

[@carenal]

I personally love hearing my rooster crowing and all the other sound my chickens make. My neighbor has chickens and ducks and I love it when the ducks start quacking, so cute. Also my rooster and their rooster will crow back and fourth to each other, its adorable.

[@madelinewhick7467]

So so so so so so so very thankful this had a happy ending!

[@chikyuskincare4675]

It's quite disturbing to me to know that there are people out there whose lives appear to be void of substance or purpose. Therefore, feel the need to cause another distress by not confronting the person first , or choose to turn them in anomalously. Nine times out of ten, their concerns and/or questions can be answered or resolved if they simply had the guts to confront the person(s) in question.

[@songoftheblackunicorn666]

And this doesn't happen with just birds or other animals either people will report their neighbors children too especially if the kid is emotionally handicapped or autistic

[@theElderberryFarmer]

I'm out in the country on 21 acres, my 2 neighbors that border me each have 5 acres. We all have chickens, so nobody gives anyone any trouble about roosters and such. In the country, folks typically stay out of each other's business unless it's a really serious issue. I don't miss living in town at all! Take care and God Bless.

[@NE_Victoria_Australia]

Before I moved to the country and started homesteading i lived in the inner city. I had 4 - 5 chickens. They had the entire back garden to run around in, and trees to scratch under. I built a chicken coop, up on stilts - to keep them safer from predators, but also so the coop itself wouldn't diminish their garden size. Then some 5 years later my neighbours called animal control. The neighbours were our friends and had never hinted at a problem. Luckily, like your friend - the animal control came out and said it all looked great to them. Turned out the neighbours had their deucted heating cleaned and found a handful of straw that rodents had brought in - that's all it took....... Now I homestead in the country, with 24 chickens, and my chickens can't offend anyone anymore! Glad it turned out well.

[@cassiec9961]

Wow your poor friend. I've got to say it's a huge fear of mine that someday someone new will move next to us and have problems with my chicken babies. I just wish people would talk to people about worries and concerns before immediately taking it upon themselves to "fix" a problem that turns out isn't even a problem. You're the kind of friend and neighbor I would be so happy to have!! Thank you for being a good friend and helping her feel more at peace in her time of need. We need more people like you❤

[@kristinvera5828]

Our neighbors tried to sue us for $10,000 over our chickens even after we bought a whole separate property for them in a neighboring municipality ($25,000 for 3 acres) and relocated them. Needless to say, the case was thrown out in mins. That was almost 4 years ago now and they continue to stalk and harass us. Most recently, they reported us to animal control when we were on vacation. Meanwhile, I had hired a pet sitter for when we went away and thankfully animal control ignored their ridiculousness. I also found out that they drove to our chicken property when we were away which is 15-20 mins away. So yes, I’ve had very negative interactions with my neighbors over this that continues years later. Good luck to your friend! Miserable people try to make others miserable.

[@maren807]

That's horrible! I'm so sorry you have had to deal with that. I hope they find something else to fixate on soon and leave your family alone.

[@kenoguy10]

Sounds like those folks are pushing the boundaries of harassment... they should put that kind of behavior in check because it could come back to bite them. Maybe you should keep those interactions with the nasty neighbors documented to present as evidence should the need arise... witnesses too when you can. True that the miserable tend to try spread misery. But! the happy tend to spread happiness naturally... and that is so much more effective and appreciated.😍

[@kristinvera5828]

@@kenoguy10 trust me, we have been documenting.

[@eviltwinnancy4561]

I would counter sue for harassment.

[@tesoro5867]

I'm not defending them, but are they afraid of bird flu or something? That's all I can come up with to avoid thinking of them as hateful people.

[@tanny1974]

Thank you so much for your wonderful and understanding heart. I have backyard hens in the UK , yes it rains so much and I am constantly putting down dry bedding for them to keep their feet dry. I have worried for years about the wet and mud but they are happy and I love them to bits ❤ just knowing they are not a part of the factory hen family makes my heart happy . And they get so many treats and new toys and perches frequently 😊 love your channel so much . ❤

[@jenniferwarren1942]

I had been wanting chickens for a lot of years. Finally, 2 years ago, my daughter brought home paperwork for the 4-H chick chain program and my husband finally got on board. We actually watched your blog a lot before we got the chicks to get advice and tips! We live in a small town, inside the city limits, on a little more than 4 acres. We have neighbors but they are all across the street. I of course went to my city hall to ask about the regulations and was told that "as long as our neighbors didn't complain, it would be fine." Even though all my neighbors are across the street I still went and spoke to them and just asked that if they did have a problem to let me know and if it came down to it, we would get rid of them after the 4-H chicken show at the end of the program. So, we got 20, 1 day old chicks (Isa Browns) that year. We raised them, inside in a brooder at first, then outside in a coop/run that my husband built. We had to take 6 to the 4-H poultry show when they were about 6 months old, those 6 get auctioned off and the proceedes go back into the 4-H chick chain program. Her birds sold for $21 each and we were able to keep the other 14. We give our neighbors eggs often and so far they have not complained at all.

[@DuckTunes79]

I am so glad that I live in the country and every one of my neighbors (except one) has chickens. We are a miniature farming community and I just love the atmosphere of it. Animals bring such peace and joy. It should be illegal to have animal factories.

[@indecisivegardener]

I am a cashier here in the PNW. We live in the city. My neighbor came through my line. He didn't recognize me & was complaining that his neighbor got chickens. Now he's worried about rats & so on & he was right. We had a rat problem, but we always had a rat problem in the fall & winter. We are being responsible & trapping them. What I wasn't expecting was the mud. The chicken coop is on the highest level of the property, but the chicken yard is a mud pit, so I took your recommendation & spread pine pellets. Hoping over time this works. It's still raining.

[@misspersnickety3674]

I am glad she had a happy ending😊

[@amy-freebirdp7869]

I am happy for your neighbor. I live in Hawaii on the Big Island, Hilo side. We have wild chickens, all over the place. It's quite fun. They are essential in keeping bugs down. I also have backyard chickens. And being on the Hilo side, we get tons of rain. (Comes with the rainforest part). The chickens sometimes get muddy areas. We have used play sand to help mitigate some of the issues. But really, if you have a dry area, a couple of roosting areas, and and dust bath, they will be fine. Our wild chickens hatch out tons of babies from nests on the ground. Sounds like your friend is doing a great job. Tell her to keep it up and keep loving her chickens.

[@30dayride67]

My neighbors are great. They're farmers and we live at least a half mile apart and average 1-2 homes per square mile. I lived in a small town briefly and had wonderful neighbors except for one. That's all it takes to make life miserable. Our driveways were side by side and he wanted to put up a fence down the middle with both our houses very close to our drives. If he'd have been allowed, neither of us could have even opened our car doors in half the length of our driveway. His reason was he didn't like seeing my older truck (that I used on my farm-not a junkyard truck). I stopped the fence with the city council. Then he started calling the police complaining that my dog was barking when I was at work. None of the other neighbors heard it and he hardly ever barked when I was home. Police kept coming to talk about it, but neither side could prove whether it was happening or not. Then my dog mysteriously started getting out of his kennel. I knew he was letting him out. I didn't think it was fair to make my dog stay in the house all day while I was working long hours and he wasn't safe in his kennel with my neighbor out to get him, so I rehomed him. My neighbor continued to call the police for my dog barking after I no longer had a dog, so the police started having chats with him. Here's the best experience that shows what a great neighbor he was- All the kids in the neighborhood would race around all their adjoining backyards playing on each other's playsets and stuff. One summer afternoon they were playing and having a water fight in the kiddie pool in our backyard. We're talking kids from 2-6 years old. One of the little girls ran half way across his yard in her little bare feet and he came out screaming at her to stay off his grass. The little girl stopped dead in her tracks and said "But Grandpa!" It was indeed his very own little granddaughter! We moved out to the farm shortly after that and I love the privacy of it still today. Some people think they have the right to set the rules for everyone else to live by. Others just need someone to hate or someone to blame their unhappiness on. So many have gotten worse over the years. There are far too many "Karens" in the world who are like self appointed kindergarten hall monitors who can't wait to tattle on others for whatever "wrong" they perceive in their little ego filled heads. That is why I hope to never live in town again and would never consider living anywhere with an HOA. Nope. The government puts plenty of restrictions on what people can have and do on their own property and I sure don't need any nosey neighbors adding more rules. I don't need permission from anyone for much of anything I do on my property out here.

[@karenfromnj3104]

You’re the best. Thanks for your support to all of us who own backyard chickens. What an awful neighbor your friend has!! For heaven sake’s what’s wrong with people! My neighbors never have complained to me about my chickens I don’t have a roster just ladies

[@tracyroake2815]

Just glad it all turned out for your friend!

[@keithhackett6384]

We broke city ordinance by having a rooster. My neighbor does not like us. Long horrible story that actually involves court. About a year after the court she called (can’t remember authorities name) and they told us we had to get rid of the rooster. HOWEVER 😅 chickens are now a “normal” in the neighborhood and other neighbors have roosters and chickens now too! I do feel the attack was personal and that my neighbors need not fear that she will call on their roosters. Happy my neighborhood calls chickens “normal”.

[@pamsloan84]

My son had the same type of neighbor. Kept calling code about his birds. I took the roosters and the officer didn't care about hens although he could have. He gave her a few dozen eggs and voila!, she loves chickens now.

[@shannonspage9360]

Yea, it is kinda common for urban areas that allow chickens to not allow roosters. That is for two reasons....the noise and the potential for illegal use of the roosters (fighting)

[@steelroz7567]

So grateful to live in a rural area in Texas with the clisest neighbor almost a mile away.

[@sfish6676]

I'm so glad your friend had a good ending! I give my neighbors eggs. I live in the country, but I don't have acres, just a little over 1 acre. I have great neighbors!

[@abcayemich8412]

Thats so wonderful for your friend and her birdies. She is lucky to have a friend like you. ♥️ I loved your vision for our world.

[@Social_Infidel]

Neighbors should work together and bring any problems up with that person they are concerned with. Never call law enforcement unless it is life or death and never call the city for trivial things that do not affect you or you do not own. Some people enjoy the power of controlling others. Get to know who your neighbors are and assess their personalities as best you can to determine if they are going to be a friend or foe. Never let someone on your property without getting to know them first. Chat with them at the fence line before hand.

[@sophiademareski]

I feel for your friend! ❤ Having to part with all my waterfowl and roosters after one too many crows! Animal control was called an I have 180 days to comply. I live on 4 acres and have heavy wooding all around but it wasn’t enough. :(

[@peaches833]

So happy that it worked out for your friend. Hopefully she won’t hear anything more about it. I’m very blessed with my location as far as neighbors go. Thank goodness. ❤ But I am high class after all😂😂😂

[@christicostas5825]

There's always gotta be that "special" person too make things difficult for others 😔. I'm glad it turned out okay for her ❤.

[@Michael-v1c]

Ugh 😢 .. what a relief to hear outcome of your friend !

[@daizyoranges]

So glad she was able to keep her chickens! I live in the suburbs where chickens are not allowed so I got Coturnix quails instead. Their eggs are so cute. They were surprisingly noisy but no one complained. Last week animal control rounded up 280 chickens and roosters from a person involved in cock-fighting (in Tucson, AZ). Animal control has to take care of them until the court case is settled. I wonder what they are doing with the eggs.

[@debbriggs5811]

What exactly was the complaint? No legitimate complaint? Just bcuz she had chickens? These type people are exactly why unnecessary things happen to happy and loved animals. Glad everything ended well.

[@TT3TT3]

There are people that will look for any excuse to create some drama , or suffering - to throw a rock in your pond sorta speak. Maybe they re lonely or even have a personality disorder of some kind. Folks have to find ways to protect themselves and get help.Thanks for helping your friend.

[@lorietaylor4665]

In the city of Everett we can have 6 chickens, no rosters unless the neighbors agree. My gremlins have taken over my back yard, it's not huge but I think big enough. They have a run that they go in at night and it's big enough for them to stay in when my yard floods. Which it has :( My neighbors love my girls.

[@WarmFuzzyVibes]

I was just thinking that the animal control officer was actually enjoying seeing chickens being well taken care of and that probably is refreshing to them! I have an indoor umbrella cockatoo I rescued about 7 years ago. She is a real sweet bird. She can yell loudly especially at sundown (which is normal for these jungle birds). If I am on the phone or in the room with her, it is ear splittingly loud. I am sure nearby neighbors can hear her, but no one seems concerned. When she yells, I usually know it is time to "put her to bed" and I quietly tell her it is bedtime. She quietens down, goes back into her huge cage and goes to her high perch. I close curtains of the window, say goodnight and close doors so she gets quiet and dark to sleep. Cockatoos, like chickens, love a routine. They count on it. This is the suburbs and I am grateful I live in a house! Most of the time she is the quietest bird! She doesn't talk, just murmurs bird little sounds. I do have a neighbor at other end of street with backyard chickens (about 4 or so, predators can be a problem, she used to have more chickens, but a raccoon got one and a hawk got another). Her girls are really nice and they sometimes look into her back glass door watching the humans like we are a TV show! Funny!

[@cindyspiess9963]

waiting for some treats to come out

[@songoftheblackunicorn666]

And while I get that your personal parrot does not have the ability to be rehabilitated and released into the wild where she belongs if you want to be fair to chickens who actually have a right to be around people instead of shoved in filthy warehouses that would kill your parrot within a week even if her food and perches and water were provided there because of just the ammonia build up from not being cleaned for up to 16 weeks at a time you need to understand that a parrot is a wild animal that doesn't belong in people's houses it belongs in Australia and you are displacing the endangered sultan Chicken by keeping one. Now with what I am saying I don't hate parrots I had a blue crowned conure once when I was fifteen to nineteen before I knew better and before my now ex husband made me get rid of it because parrots artificially pair bond with humans to the detriment of the bird and the ego inflation of the human. I just want it understood by parrot people and people who put you parrot people up on pedestal s that these are not domesticated animals they belong and do much better in the wild and if humans want to do the right thing for parrots and chickens and people they really need to keep sultans and Polish instead of cockatoo s , not breed any more parrots in captivity and let parrots be parrots in the wild where they belong. My cross beaked americana hen, my ayam cemani frizzled Cochin olive egger my two polish my two sultans and my two silkies all know basic parrot commands and even my five month sultan Cockerel Alf is quieter and less destructive and less hormonal than your cockatoo and cheaper to maintain and provide toys for and easier to keep in the house when needed to if his requirements are met. And he makes really cute noises makes biscuits and turns around and purs into my lap for scratches and pets and if you look up sultan Chickens you will see that Wynn and Alf are just as white and crested and beautiful as your cockatoo they just have been peoples companions for centuries at the least and they are actually domesticated and should be in people's homes and yards and your parrot should be with a flock in Australia free to be a cockatoo and not displacing the sultan who has been a loyal companion animal to human beings for hundreds of years and is now on the endangered breed list.

[@livinginthenow]

Well, at least now she knows that her neighbor is the go-behind-your-back type rather than an honest and straightforward sort of person. Forewarned is forearmed.

[@britneycombs7626]

My elderly neighbors LOVE my chickens! They even learned the names of all 13 😊. They always ask about them and love to watch them scratch around in the backyard, we lucked out!

[@AlternativeHomesteading]

I have nasty neighbors. They let their dogs run wild and they’re literally a three minute walk from my gate and her dogs entered my property and ate some of my chickens and she has no remorse whatsoever.

[@ashb4smoke]

I've seen sheep farmers put up solar electric fences. Check with your county to see what the rules are. A small shock is better than more loss of your birds or the dogs lives.

[@katie7748]

Sounds like mine. Worst of it is we aren't natives here so I can't even do anything about it because the cliquey blip on a map hick town "authorities" won't care. To everyone who laughs about running outsiders out of town, know that not all of us are trying to ruin or change anything. Oh, and when we leave, the feeling will be more than mutual.

[@AlternativeHomesteading]

@ Same here. I moved from New Jersey to rural Kentucky and the people here are a little clique, don’t grow, ignorance, biased bigoted jealous and greedy.

[@lizv3634]

Thank you so much for your positivity and love that you put out into the world. You are one of the reasons I finally took the plunge to get chickens for our backyard. They have become beloved family members. We enjoy them so much.

[@jenniferkatsoulas3824]

Great video! Years ago I had a rooster…and the people at the bus stop would ask…who has a rooster…my neighbors would just say…I have no clue! Many people around me have roosters…and dogs…I have 4 dogs…they bark yet no one has ever questioned that! They just need to be educated! Hate hearing the traffic and planes overhead to…but we live with it lol! I live on Long Island NY. If they stopped putting up condos…the local wildlife…rats etc…would not be looking to live in our yards!

[@trekster7777]

First year we have had chickens. 4 Barred Rocks, now 9 mos old and laying since July. 2 of them are LOUD egg singers. New neighbors moved in and took one of my babies over to introduce her and let them know who was making all the singing. She said that they had had chickens in the past and understood! We live in a small central TX town and a lot of people have chickens in their yards.

[@josee.cisnerosjr.7706]

No bad experiences yet. Lol. My chickens are not fully grown, but they are getting there. They are super quiet right now, but I know that's bound to change once they start laying. Love your videos, and thank you for all your teachings. I have learned a lot from your channel. Thank you

[@benihime1024]

I live on whidbey Island wa...had the same issues with 1 neighbor...but she called the cops on me coz my roosters crow, I don't live in town and we r allowed chickens and roosters BUT this island has a 24hr noise ordinance and becuz she doesn't like ANY of my chicky babies. Thankfully the cop that came out showed us a loop hole( had to get a business license) my neighbor wanted me to get rid of/kill my roosters. Now I have a nice little egg business that I have to pay the state to own. But it's worth it and I have had no more problems with this neighbor or cops being called😂 all my other neighbors have been awesome!

[@Tf03]

I’m from seattle and this is shocking! You’d think people on whidbey are a bit hippie/crunchy forest folk that wouldn’t mind the sounds of nature (including chickens). There are so many farms on whidbey, weird that the neighbor is cranky!

[@katie7748]

​@Tf03 In my case, and I live rural in a tiny blip on a map town, my neighbors are like this because we weren't born here. My next door neighbor wasn't born here but she did spent most of her childhood here. Doesn't matter. She left to live with a sister for a few years and then moved back. She did not receive a warm welcome. It's cliquey aF. I h8 it. She's the only decent neighbor we have. The rest suck azz. Other people around here have chickens, including roosters, and goats...dogs barking 24/7...oh but us getting chickens and "making noise?" HA!!

[@sonofhibbs4425]

I don’t know if this is the reason, but my run is on a hillside slant. The chickens have of course eaten all the grass off, but for years now, never had a problem with mud. Now, me slipping on ice in the winter is a slight issue, but mud no. The rain even clears off the poo. It runs down and out of the run. I’m thinking if one has a problem with mud..create a slant with gravel, bigger rocks mixed with clay soil? Just throwing out an idea. I really don’t know, but know it’s a common issue. Really sad for your friend that the neighbor is too much of a coward to civilly approach her with her issues with the chickens. I haven’t had any issues with neighbors with mine, but I live in an old farmstead with several acres. The cool thing is, since I’ve got chickens several neighbors have got chickens for themselves as well. 👍🏻 I love hearing all the distant crows from neighbor’s roosters answering mine. 🥰 I did have one neighbor rudely setting off fireworks over my coop resulting in a few deaths in my flock. Some people don’t realize loud sudden noises can kill prey animals. Some do and don’t care, or get off on causing your animal harm. There’s also the local psychopath young adult male that aims to hit my chickens if they are on the roadside…. But that’s more of a freerange issue on my part, which has since been remedied. (FYI- several neighbors came to me saying they saw him drive fast purposely aiming to run over my chickens, so it’s not accidental.) Some people are just pure 💩. Your friend’s neighbor sounds like one of them. Animal Control should bill the neighbor who called for their time! It’s an abuse of a resource when people call for petty vindictive or selfish reasons and not legitimate reasons.

[@jannafolsom1069]

I'm so thankful. My only neighbors within miles are my in-laws, and a hunting cabin (only used in fall/winter). We have great relations with both. 😂❤

[@hischildjo4693]

I am so happy for your friend and her chickens that it ended well. Hopefully her neighbor learned some insightful things from this encounter. One can only hope that when we learn we were wrong about something, humbly accept that and move on, only now more aware. ❤

[@hoosierpioneer]

You are preaching to the choir here Dalia. Take this message to the HMOs, town councils, state reps and county commissioners.....

[@deborahembry7292]

I once had backyard chickens in a University town. The students, and most of my neighbors loved it. Even the guy upstairs from the coop didn’t mind the rooster crowing. The kids loved hearing country sounds in the city. But one lady did not, she felt that my hen and rooster were making it hard to rent her apartments to students and her complaining got pretty bad. She was a very old lady who used to have chickens and wanted to have them again. ( she lived in the country) so I gave them to her. The next bout of backyard chickens I had 5 hens. They gad a nice run, great coop area in the garage, and I would let them free range on the lawn when I got home from work till roosting time, spending most of that time sitting in a chair out with them each night I would hose off the walkway and use a pooper scooper to pick up all their poops and put it in my compost bin. Well the landlord came by and said I could not have them so I had to give them to a friend. They had a great life in their new home. The third bout of backyard chickens, as you can see I really needed chickens in my life. My next door neighbors and I decided we could keep chickens together. We got chicks. We keep them in the house during the day since my husband was home, and the neighbors would take them at night, and we would get them the next morning. They got handled a lot..Then we got a nice cute coop and put it in their front side yard close to our fence. Built a fence around their yard, put in a chicken door in the wooden fence between our properties, and it was great! Later I moved to the county and my neighbors kept the chickens, and now I have been having chickens free ranging with me for 10 years. Praise God for all his blessings.

[@theabristlebroom4378]

First time viewer, you are delightful! Also, I ADORE your glasses!!! They frame your eyes so nicely!

[@charal2230]

I give my closest neighbor eggs from my chickens to let them know I appreciate them tolerating my feathered flocks. They say they are totally ok with everything, even when my turkeys visit them on their back porch, but I still feel better about it by giving them free eggs.

[@ironrose888]

My neighbor introduced me to chicken farming but does things differently from me. He has 8 hens and they stay in the coop at night. Early in the morning he lets them out of the coop and they roam in a big fenced in yard. Sometimes they get out of the fence and we are great neighbors. We started out with 6 chicks and 5 ducks. I turned my old wooden greenhouse into a chicken coop and the door has an opening for to go in and out. We have more predators than our neighbor so we have an electric fence around the chicken run and since our property isn’t fenced in they can’t roam around all over. We now have about 30 chickens and roosters with about 15 ducks. I have learned how to incubate eggs and we love taking care of them. My other neighbor has Rottweilers and their favorite food is chicken. Now they have a fence to keep the dogs in their yard and out of ours. 😊

[@Featherfuss]

The first year with my chickens mud was an unexpected problem. I had to put a roof over my run and I dug a french drain on the problem (high) side. Thankfully it took care of the problem.

[@ClickityChick]

That's really smart of You! A French drain would definitely help with water issues.🐔

[@Featherfuss]

@ Thank you. It worked well.

[@mustangmomma9582]

We are so blessed to have acrage. We just started with chickens last year. Now I've hatched my own, and sold fertilized eggs on occasion.

[@YahwehsbountifulHarvest]

Me too. I have 9 chicks. There are some older than a month and some less than a month

[@mustangmomma9582]

@YahwehsbountifulHarvest I did two hatches. Got 6 of 12 the first time and 12 of 12 on try two! I was thrilled. Ineas able to give some to a friend for her growing flock. We now have a total of 19. 10 are fully grown and hens are laying. We also have 3 grown roosters who take good care of their selected group. Im sure I'll have another couple roosters among the babies.

[@teribrant1989]

When I lived in town, I had a constant parade of neighbours coming by to see the chickens. They were sad when I moved to a place more rural.

[@AuntNutmeg]

Wood chips absorb water, will improve soil drainage over time, and will reduce the smell of chicken manure. If you have mud in your chicken enclosure, add wood chips!

[@lionessofel3203]

I thought about doing wood chips in my run. Do you have to muck it out and replace it from time to time? Or do you turn it over and add fresh wood chips every so often?

[@AuntNutmeg]

@lionessofel3203 I plan to get my chickens next year when we move to our new homestead. From what I've seen watching other homesteaders' videos, use deep bedding (12 inches of your chosen material, or mix of materials) and muck out once or twice a year. If it gets smelly or there's too much moisture before you muck out, add more material. What you remove when you muck out is basically compost, then you start over with a fresh 12 inches of material.

[@carlenekingery8860]

Excellent reporting! Excellent work on your part. I believe there are always disgruntled, unthinking people in every neighborhood, who don’t consider (or don’t care) how their unpleasant complaining will harm someone else and other people’s happiness. I would LOVE to have two or three chickens but in my town it’s illegal.

[@tinab7791]

Somebody called animal control on the rooster that I didn't get on purpose, he came from the premium pullet bin like so many of them do. The worst part is, the city just lets people have them unless somebody complains. Even though ordinance says no roosters, the animal control guy said they literally don't have time for that and they don't spend time going after people and their roosters unless somebody lodges a complaint about the noise. I'm still bitter if you can't tell 😢

[@rainbowconnected]

I'm sorry about your rooster. Super lame. I would be bitter too in your shoes. Roosters are such special creatures. I wish people would be more accepting and appreciating of them. Never made sense to me how lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and all sorts of super loud machines are fine, but crowing is an issue.

[@sophiademareski]

I’m so sorry! Just had this happen to me too. We live rural but not rural enough 😢

[@shannonspage9360]

​@@rainbowconnectedWell another reason for no rooster ordinances in urban areas is to prevent potential illegal activities (fighting)

[@Featherfuss]

I’m blessed my neighbors love my chickens and have gotten free eggs from them at times.

[@trina7274]

I’m so glad your friend had a happy ending!! 💕❤️ I’m 10 miles west of pdx and our mud is terrible this year. For now, weekly, I scoop buckets of it out of our back yard area and take it to our garden area…. I then pour the horse stall pine pellets down first and then 3-4 huge bags of pine shavings down on top of that… that lasts about a month and then we do it all again. Our chicken runs are covered (we have 4 coops, 1 large, 1 medium, 2 small) and they roam our back yard during the day…. The main thing is, due to the limited daylight, they spend alot of time in the coops, so I have to be on top of the cleaning, daily…

[@desireepowers8849]

Your so sweet! I feel the same way about my chickens being an asset not an devaluation to the neighborhood. Recently I fear the news is blowing flu, property value, etc., out of proportion, purposely causing irrational public fears, damning our husbandry because of big farm greed! Thank you for deflating inaccurate assumptions and alarm.

[@marycrittenden1210]

Thanks for all you do!❤

[@ginagruber1732]

A bad backyard chicken coop is 10x than a factory farm any day.

[@eviltwinnancy4561]

But she didn't have a "bad" backyard coop, so what is your point?

[@ravensdotter6843]

Bravo on all counts!! Thank you for sharing this.

[@augustrain5500]

I have 10 girls who free range in my back yard. My neighbors say they enjoy watching them because after all, chickens are amusing! 🐔🐔🐔🥰

[@brendahooks2350]

How do you keep all that lush grass growing. My run is bare because they eat everything!

[@lisagayhart2482]

I only let them take the whole lawn for an hour 4 days a week. Mostly because they were scratching out my flowers . It is an idea

[@farmhouseontherock]

Wow. This sounds like what I’ve gone through with my chickens too. We Live on a farm tho and there are a Few others who also live on the farm Who have decided ‘this is NOT a farm, it’s a community”. Her words. So I have been having to sell more than half My chickens which are my babies. This is really hurting me.

[@knotqueen2419]

Thank you for posting this video. I'm lucky to have great neighbors with whom I share eggs, produce, and seafood that I catch. I also plan to get my neighbors on board with raising chickens, too. It may give them a reason to go outside once in a while.😀

[@sueglovan8344]

My neighbor is super great! She gave me all my chickens!

[@Metaphysics-for-life]

Welcome to the State of Washington... the only state in the Union that leaned further left this election season and our government encourages neighbors to snitch on each other 😞. If it wasn't so frickin beautiful here (and I have a new grandbaby) I would have to move!

[@Alluvial.]

Hmmm. Kindly: One:- **Which** government encourages neighbors to snitch??? Is women’s health nothing to you? The irony is bitter. Also, two- Chickens, my friend. This is a happy chicken space. I hope both our comments get deleted.

[@cindyhebberd7352]

@@Alluvial.I hope your comment is deleted…get a life

[@debbijesse4601]

I became a chicken tender this past spring, and I am fortunate to live in the county, close to the city, in an unincorporated area. Many of the city and county ordinances do not apply, so we are careful to adhere to the few ordinances we have. Any chicken keeper (unless they live in the desert) will know the fun that comes after a good rain...mud mitigation and regrading to fill all the holes. Chickens scratch, dig, and rearrange their surroundings for food and entertainment. My girls like to dig around the perimeter of their run, so when it rains, it becomes an island with a moat. During bad weather, they can go in their chicken condo (coop) to stay dry, and we can bring them inside in case of emergency (we moved their "teenager" coop into the basement for use as a hospital/B&B/reformatory). We are blessed to have this situation, and I realize many are not so lucky. How dare a non-chicken-person pass judgement on a loving chicken mama! If people spent as much time concerned with their own lives as they do with everyone else's, the world would be a better place. It's unfair to make a judgement about anything based on a snapshot of existence. What wonderful vindication that Animal Control recognized that your friend was a good chicken tender!

[@janiteeter4896]

I keep chickens, rabbits and quail and live across from townhall. All are tractored all summer, in my eco lawnmowers, and neighbourhood kids and passers by often stop to chat, play with and admire the animals. Well, we had a HUGE tree fall down in a windstorm that took out our hydro connection. No animals were hurt thankfully, but three tractors taking advantage of the shade from the tree were temporarily unsafe for the animals until I had time to repair them. I needed to special order wire, latches etc. So I put some 8 week old rabbit kits back in with their mom. Wouldnt you know one of the hydro repair man complained, and I got a letter from local animal control complaining they were crowded and with a social note saying kindness to animals is everyones responsibility! Meanwhile my animals are on fresh ground daily, eat all organic, are handled daily and drink filtered water! So animal control guy comes, looks around when I was at work, calls me and says do any of your neighbours have rabbits? Because i looked at your animals, they are all healthy, alert and well housed and fed. Har hump! Ever notice the large fallen tree mr hydro guy?? What you would prefer in an EMERGENCY I let my rabbits run loose around my backyard? Giant pain in the but, but at least it ended well.

[@greyhoundmama2062]

If the coop/run stinks, it's not fair to your chickens and it's not fair to your neighbors. I'm glad your friend was keeping them clean.

[@ControversialDogMom]

I live in a culdesac and my chickens have half of their run covered. There isn’t great drainage but they also have run of my grassy yard too, how do you temporarily combat mud for the season? Is there a preferred bedding you lay down in the PNW that the chickens don’t just scratch up? I mulched the chicken run before adding them but it’s… been spread lol

[@michelesmith7508]

Sounds more like a neighbor who really doesn't like certain animals. Most pretend to love them and care, but they really just want them gone.

[@DannieMcClain]

My backyard flock are pretty low-key in my neighborhood. Some neighbors are good, others not, but I take care of them all with free eggs. I try to keep my yard tidy, my run and coop tidy, and no one has yet to complain (knocking on wood). My city doesn't allow roosters, but I think my girls are WAY louder than a rooster when the share their egg song. Are there some days that I feel like crap and just forget to clean something, yes, I think this is every person's life (not just a chicken tender), sometimes I think people are just unhappy at another's peace.

[@topazchicken6414]

Good morning, nice to see this popping up on my feed again.

[@gloriasmith5764]

Yahoo! I'm glad she passed the inspection! You were such a good friend to support her! That neighbor is a rotten egg! 😂

[@tial5960]

We do not have chickens yet but we are getting 3 Rhode Island Red Pullets in 2025 and I’m so excited. We have a coup on our property and lots of space. The coup needs work but we are dedicated to making it a safe and warm space for our ladies. ALL of my neighbors have chickens lol! My neighbors chickens are free range and they come over to our yard a lot. We used to find that rude until we tasted their eggs and now we can’t buy them from the store anymore. You would love it here! We are so excited. I’m glad it worked out for your friend. Thank you for all of the info, I’m soaking up everything!

[@seriouslynow22]

Little Melon is a sweetie! Great voice. She's worth hearing that voice if nothing else.

[@DavidVolkman]

Thanks for the video. Your book and videos helped me to get started keeping chickens. They are wonderful, very personable and genuinely fun. Oh yea, and they give us eggs!

[@StaceyHerewegrowagain]

This happened to me. It's ridiculous what people have the time to complain about ❤❤

[@tammyhull5270]

We rent a small farm parcel on dairy farm and we have great landlord that allows us to do whatever we want as long as we pay rent and take care of our property. So i was able to pursue my childhood dream of having animals one day like my little chickens as well as my ducks and geese! Im so glad it worked for your friend!

[@debkincaid2891]

My husband and I covered our ladies' run with a tarp over the top & down a couple feet on each side. I also dump handfuls of horse bedding pellets on the run "floor" to absorb puddles. Works pretty well. 😊

[@Redeemed7777]

Are horse pellets better than straw? I've been wondering about them breaking down?

[@thenannywoodforest98]

I'm wondering about the horse pellets too. I bought some but a friend said the chickens will eat them and cause problems. Your thoughts?

[@Alluvial.]

@@Redeemed7777 Kiln dried pine pellets sold as horse/livestock bedding are a MIRACLE! They soak up water really well, and break apart into nice soft sawdust once saturated. That soft sawdust will “surface dry” easily on drier/windier days, but remains a lovely stable surface for chickens to walk on. AND It **doesn’t ever** seem to mold!!! Unlike hay, which molds almost instantaneously, or straw that molds just a little slower than hay. AND THEN it’s also really easy to shovel out- whereas hay and straw both create giant heavy (moldy) matted networks that are a challenge to break apart into pitchfork-sized bites when you go to muck out. The only thing to be careful of is that I find a layer of pellets can roll underfoot if you are putting them on a harder, dryer surface- like the floor of a freshly scraped out stall or chicken run. In that case I put a little bit of wood shavings on top, which stabilizes the rolling pellets. If the fresh pellets are going onto a wetter/muddy surface, they will break apart and not be a slip hazard really quickly. I’m a fan!

[@Redeemed7777]

@@Alluvial. Thank you.. I was just considering straw in my run and coop but hate to draw more mice!

[@debkincaid2891]

@@thenannywoodforest98 I'm going on 2 years with my chickens. No issues. If chickens are healthy and well fed, I'm not sure they'd be interested in the horse pellets. Mine definitely aren't. 🤷‍♀️

[@kathleenanderson1806]

WAY to GO!!! I’m so happy for your friend!!!

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

We had the same issue with my turkey just loved my neighbours garden

[@k.30546]

I live in Burien WA where you are only allowed up to 3 chickens. One day I saw 6 - 8 chickens running in the street and had no idea where they belonged. Several days later I saw them again in a neighbor’s front yard and was told they belonged to the “renters” next door to them. Needless to say the home owner was called about the free range chickens crapping in the neighbor front yard, said renters hadn’t asked permission to have them and thought it was completely fine for them to run free. They were gone the next day. And no - I wasn’t the one who called on them.