Money Moral Dilemma: Should they pay for the chicken?

boombap

I think a couple of months/weeks worth of free eggs (original message says that the neighbour buys eggs from the hen keepers) would be a more appropiate compensation than cash in this situation.

This must be the last time the hens wander into the garden though.

S.

Happygreen

As both a chicken keeper and a veg grower I understand your annoyance. It is not hard to keep chickens out from where you don't want them, that's what chicken wire was invented for and wings can be clipped if they fly. But accidents do happen and you have at least an ok relationship with your neighbour as you buy their eggs, so I would not sour it by going all legal...Just express your dismay and hopefully they will offer you free eggs from now, maybe for a few months would be appropriate. If they don't come up with it I would say it myself in a nice way.
By the way, nobody makes a profit of selling a few eggs - the birds have to be fed and wormed etc. which is not cheap! Just because someone mentioned...

*M*_2

My personal opinion would be to definitely mention to your neighbours the inconvenience (and potential expense) that this has caused you and see what they say rather than stomping straight round demanding compensation. There seem to have been a lot of comments encourgaing you to get right up on your high horse about it but what's the point in being aggressive and confrontational with people that you descibe as lovely? Unless of course you valued your veg more than your friendship with your neighbours. *wink*

Even if they don't offer you cash, it may be that their own financial situation prohibits this but they are embarrassed to admit it - who knows. I'd be surprised if they didn't at the least stop charging you for the eggs though. And get the fence secured!

Although I also agree with the other comments re: securing the fence. Yes, by the letter it is their responsibility but there's nothing to stop you chucking a bit of chicken wire round the bottom of your fence either...

POPPYOSCAR

I would not ask for compensation but I would definitely speak to them and see what they say.Let them know how much hard work you have put into it and how upset you are and see what their response is.

When our neighbours 2 dogs came in our kitchen and took the cooked chicken off the table our neighbours just said oh sorry.If that had been me I would have felt terrible and at the least given them a bottle of wine
as an apology, but some people just do not care.

I think you have to give them a chance to make it right.

A.Jones

I would tell them what has happened and make them feel bad about it (they have been warned enough times so deserve this) and then ask for compensation if they do not offer it.

If they do not pay up (either with cash or with free eggs), I'd leave cat food in the garden overnight to attract foxes to the area.

kevanf1

Did you not think about putting your own chicken wire in place along the boundary with your neighbours? It's cheap and it would have avoided both this dilemna and your vegetables. Yes, it should have been the neighbours responsibility but after once or twice and nothing is done I would have sorted it myself.

Talent

I can't believe the wimps on here!! Your neighbours are not nice. They are having you over after you've asked them several times to keep their chickens away from your plot. Simples. Eat a chicken.... one of theirs.... oops I hope you're not veggy.

JayD

One word ...

ABSO-CHICKEN-LUTELY!!!!!!!


Of course they should pay for the damage!

Tulgey_Wood

My next door neighbour used to have a dog that kept getting into my garden and leaving little brown messages for me. I didn't have the cheek to ask her to keep her dog under control when quite clearly I could easily stop the problem by sorting out the gaps in the boundary where the dog was getting through. I did. Problem solved.

Tulgey_Wood

If they do not pay up (either with cash or with free eggs), I'd leave cat food in the garden overnight to attract foxes to the area.[/QUOTE]

Ha ha! I like your style!