Money Moral Dilemma: Should they pay for the chicken?

apogee

Get your fence fixed!

tintersniffer

Would not say a thing to them. I would have some nice Roast chicken dinners though. Yum Yum

meher

You can put up an enclosure for the fruit and veg garden instead of depriving a chicken of it's freedom. Yes, it costs, but it's worth it, long term.

If you really examine these cases closely, the real issue is that people don't want a cat or a chicken or something in their gardens - if there were no fruit and veg in the garden people would still find something else to complain. It's a subtler version of cruelty to animals to be intolerant to their freedom. If I have an issue with a little chicken running up and down my garden, I'd first go and examine my own mind before charging to my neighbor to give grief. I'm happy to accept that I'm in a minority to speak up for the chicken, peace for neighbors that come first for me and that purusal of personal hobbies like having own tomatoes and green leaves are secondary. We often project personal issues onto others and make them pay for it. Most of these sort of dilemmas arise from that.

terrylj

They should pay for the damage. They sell you their eggs so should understand that garden projects do have financial as well as hobby/emotional value.

Plus this has been a long term problem for you.

My viewpoint comes from keeping chickens and not growing veg. (And I give my eggs away)

HOWEVER! They are your neighbours and I agree that disrupting this relationship could bring long term problems.

You say they are good neighbours - does this outweigh this particular issue? And perhaps you could offer to help build a new fence, clip wings or whatever?

terrylj

A little chicken will not just run up and down your garden - it will totally trash it very quickly.

I speak as a responsible chicken owner. Responsible for their safety and protection as well as others' right to enjoy their own space as they choose. My chickens roam safely (so far - touch wood!).

elle_apple

Thanks for all the replies everyone - It makes me feel better that at least someone else feels I have a right to be annoyed! They did take a lot of tending

Just wanted to update you on progress too. The chickens have been contained now, higher netting at 10foot - not pretty but don't care - and overhanging tree braches cut down. We have also been offered free eggs the last couple of times we have been over to buy, without any prompting. (do they read this site?)

It was harder to deal with because our plastic netting had just been walked through by the chickens and we have 2 wobbly toddlers so didn't want to put up anything that was wire. We had also put up wooden fences at 6 foot high across half the garden, which they had got over! But it's really nice to not have to worry about them anymore, and, no, we don't have any pets of our own to retaliate with, but trimming feathers was going to be our next option.

About half of the plants have survived with the recent rain helping and should be good to pick just a bit later than normal. Nothing like the veg in the other gardens on the row, but, hey, we've still got the (very) good will of the neighbours. Golden, as we all agree. Thanks again

elle_apple

Oh - and thanks to all the gardeners out there - It's not a hobby, I look after our kids so don't work and we do it on a big scale with everlasting plants we repeatedly harvest in order to save money. Also, we're vegetarian, so it's the main part of our shopping. The eggs won't cover the cost at all, even if we'd had a bad summer / pests. But like I said before, the neighbours will be there every year and they have responded well (at last!;) ).

RRatchet

pandora_ann wrote: »

I have to agree with Kate/Bob that surely this is a simple yes. It is your neighbours' responsibilty to keep the chickens safe, ie not roaming the neighbourhood. After all, if you had a dog or cat who had killed the chicken I imagine they wouldn't be too pleased. Owners are responsible for their animals, be they livestock or pets.

Obviously it's best to approach the subject in an amiable manner, but yes, it is their responsibility for any damage caused whether the veg would have lasted a month or a week.

I think you'll find that an owner cannot be held responsible for the actions of their cat as they are classed to be "wild animals" or something to that effect. This may also apply to other creatures; but dogs you are definitely responsible for and I'd guess chickens as they are also domesticated livestock and it is considered acceptable to confine them.

I'd stress to the owners that not only is the chicken damaging your property but that it is at risk of being eaten (by an urban fox of course). I just wouldn't invite them round for any chicken based meal for a while. They might draw the right conclusion.