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Across the Fence:  Ducks- neighbors  |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 01:29:09 AM
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Our next-door neighbors, renters, decided to become poultry farmers this year and have a half-dozen ducks and a dozen chickens.
They are allowing (and encouraging, I think) their ducks to roam onto our property. We have a pond, and they have a small plastic swimming pool.
The ducks waddle over to our pond about 12 times a day, leaving poop, feathers, and an occasional egg in their way.
We've spoken to them about it and they aren't going to take any action to contain their livestock to their own property. In fact this weekend we noticed they are actually mowing a path through the tall grass to make it convenient for the ducks to visit us.
What can I legally, ethically, morally, do about it?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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nabrown42
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Nancy
Caneyville
KY
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 03:26:05 AM
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Do you know from whom they are renting? If so, contact the owner and see if he/she can pressure them to stop. I'd also check with the zoning board, animal control and the police department. I love to watch ducks but I'd be upset about them using my pool. Along with animal ownership. there is a responsibility to limit their territory to one own's property. Good luck. I have a feeling you're going to need it.
"I've wept in the night for the shortness of sight that to someone's needs I've been blind; but I've yet to feel a twinge of regret for being a little too kind." |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 05:46:22 AM
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I'd do what Nancy suggests. I would definitely try to find out who they are renting from. It may be in their lease to not own this many/type of animal on the premises. Animal control can help you with how to legally handle animals trespassing onto your property. You may be able to trap and relocate them since they are a pet and not your regular migratory bird. Good luck. Hopefully they only have a 6 month lease.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 06:58:01 AM
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Yikes! I would call your local sherrif department and see what they recommend. Is there a fenceline? Can you put up Chicken Wire or something like that to make it so the poultry can't get through.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 08:53:22 AM
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We don't currently have a fence but I have been thinking about putting one up in the spot they cross over most frequently - end of the mowed path to our property line. The problem is that our lot is 4 acres so to fence off the whole property could get expensive - and I don't really want to look at a fence, either.
I've been thinking I could put the fence I have up in a funnel shape, with a cage at the narrow end. I've been looking up recipes for Peking Duck but they seem pretty complicated... you have to hang the bird up from your kitchen cabinet knobs over a bowl and pour boiling water over it eight times, then allow to dry for at least three hours before roasting it.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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CMac
True Blue Farmgirl
1074 Posts
Connie
Ashland City
TN
USA
1074 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 09:10:34 AM
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LOL! Sounds like you fed up with the ducks. Or soon will be literally!
It isn't your responsibility to keep their ducks off your land. Call animal control and lodge a complaint. Document your conversation with them. Date, time and response. Keep good records of all that happens. Take some pictures of the mowed path.
These are the kind of folks that give backyard chicken keeping a bad name. Sounds to me like they would rather they use your pond than have to clean the swimming pool!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 11:20:48 AM
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I would contact the landlord and see what they say. Chances are the city/county will asses fines to the property owner rather than the tenant because that paper trail is easier to track, so the owner will probably be the first line of crackdown.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 1:24:57 PM
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I have a little bit of sympathy for the neighbors, since I can't keep my bees at home, either... See the thread on bees and neighbors. I don't want to be the "complainer" or whiner, and I'm not sure it's a big enough problem to involve the county officials yet, and make enemies of my neighbors. I've only lived here for a year, so don't know a lot of the neighbors yet, and don't want to get off on the wrong foot.
Maybe the landlord is a good bet.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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CMac
True Blue Farmgirl
1074 Posts
Connie
Ashland City
TN
USA
1074 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2011 : 3:25:43 PM
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Sweetie those aren't neighbors they are just people who live next to you! If they know the ducks are bothering you they should keep them on their property. They are considered livestock. Bees are not! LOL
I do understand about not wanting to aggravate the neighbors. But remember it takes two to have a relationship. It can't be you doing all the giving in just to keep the peace. You will know when you need to do something and you will know what that is when it is time. Who knows, they may be sick of dealing with them come winter and your problem will be solved.
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 11:38:27 AM
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Tell me you're at least keeping the eggs that drop on your side of the fence ;)
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2011 : 8:16:22 PM
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I wouldn't eat the ones that have been soak in the pond- especially since it has been treated and water washes away the protective membrane- so the eggs could be having bacteria growth and chemicals leaching in.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2011 : 04:40:48 AM
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Thanks, Alee, that's a good point. I was sure at least one of the ones in the pond - the large one- wasn't there day before yesterday because I had a photo at the same spot the previous day.
I was thinking I could tell how old they are the same way I tell with chicken eggs either bought from the grocery or lady down the road, if the white is runny the egg is old, but if it stands up firmly, it is fairly fresh.
I wasn't thinking about the bacteria getting into the shell, though.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Ducks- neighbors |
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Ducks- neighbors
