Noisy Cockerals

moonpenny

My street has just acquired new neighbours who are privately renting the house.
They have turned the back garden into a small holding with chickens etc.
It's a nightmare with Cockerals crowing from as early as 3 a.m and sometimes all night.
It's really not fair to have this noise all night in a quiet residential street when people have to get up for work the next day.
Can anyone suggest who to contact to get it stopped? Would it be the Council even though it is privately rented?

Gloomendoom

Yes, cockerels crowing can be classed as a noise nuisance. If you report it, the council have to investigate.

The law

The owner of cockerel(s) must ensure that the crowing does not cause a statutory noise nuisance.

In considering whether a statutory nuisance exists Environmental Health Officers will consider a number of factors including:

Nature of the area

Cockerels have been part of the English countryside for generations and to some extent part of country life and its charm. This is not to say that nuisance cannot be caused in the country but an odd cockerel crowing in an isolated rural location is less likely to be considered a nuisance when compared to cockerels kept in a more built up residential environments such as towns and villages.

Time of day

It is more likely that the law will consider nuisance is being caused if your cockerel is crowing at unsocial hours, i.e. night, early morning or late evening.

Duration/frequency

It is more likely that the law will consider nuisance is being caused if cockerel(s) are crowing regularly and for long periods. This more likely with numbers of cockerels because the birds compete.

Investigating complaints

If we receive a complaint about noise we are obliged by law to investigate it.

If informal negotiations with the cockerel owner fail and we are satisfied that the noise constitutes a Statutory Nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, an Abatement Notice will be served, this would require nuisance from cockerels to be abated. If this is not complied with, the responsible person could face a maximum fine of £5000 (domestic premises), or £20,000 (commercial/ Industrial premises)

Source

Hintza

Have you spoken to them?

Biggles

Hintza wrote: »

Have you spoken to them?

That doesn't usually work, they won't understand.

In any event, it's not their fault, he should try having a word with their owner.

lesalanos

Biggles wrote: »

That doesn't usually work, they won't understand.

In any event, it's not their fault, he should try having a word with their owner.

Of course it's their fault, it's them that are making the noise.

Why would they understand the owners if they could not understand the complainant?

Do you think a sign would work better? Maybe go and wake them up when they see how feel about being woken when sleeping.

ilikewatch

lesalanos wrote: »

Of course it's their fault, it's them that are making the noise.

I hardly think it's their "fault" as such, it's just instictive behaviour.

lesalanos wrote: »

Why would they understand the owners if they could not understand the complainant?

They wouldn't understand the owners any more than the complainant, however, the owners would be in a position to take action to remedy the problem.

lesalanos wrote: »

Do you think a sign would work better? Maybe go and wake them up when they see how feel about being woken when sleeping.

They don't really sleep deeply in the same way as humans do, and probably wouldn't make the link between the noise they make, and being woken up by the neighbour anyway.

Itismehonest

Have a word with the neighbours.
Old farming tip......
Many people don't know that a cockerel needs to be able to stretch up & throw its' head back to crow.
It may be possible to keep the cockerels in something with slightly restricted height - without going as far as cruelty, of course - which can stop the problem. They can be released in the mornings.

moonpenny

Thank You for all your comments.

The house is in a large residential village on the outskirts of a town but the street itself is a small quiet street (or was!!!)

They have turned the normal back garden into a farm and the chickens etc are running around free.
Up to now I have counted 3 different Cockerals crowing through the night(they all have a different sound) and counting Cockerals has taken the place of counting sheep! :eek:

No! I havn't spoken to them as I don't think they would get rid just because someone complains. They are having more and more hutches etc delivered by the day.

Really didn't want to cause trouble but this is beyond a joke and there are Old Peoples Bungalows opposite as well.

shegar

Best go round all the neighbours who live close to the birds and see what they say about it, if they agree it is a noise nuisance im sure you can all get together and start a complaint with the council, its better to have back up with the residents than go it alone ..........Good luck

maninthestreet

Why can't some people keep their cocks under control??

Yorkie1

Keep a noise diary and then contact Environmental Health.