Neighbours have moved 2 sheep into back garden!!

benson1980

Our previous neighbours brought sheep home one day, for some bizarre reason. We found the noise settled down after a while after they got used to their surroundings. They did ruin our hedge though and get in our garden once by creating a massive hole in it- which the neighbours found amusing as their house (and garden) were a complete tip and they didn't understand how some people actually take a bit of pride in that kind of stuff. Anyway after having a grumble they did erect a fence. The smell was actually the worst part. Again we had to have a word about that as well as they were just being a bit lazy and not cleaning them out. It was therefore mostly sorted in the end and we didn't real issues going forward. But then this was on 1/3 acre plots in the country.

In summary- it's not just the noise you need to be concerned about and keep an eye on. I have no idea what enters peoples heads when they think keeping sheep in a residential garden is a good idea.

pinkteapot

Let us know what the neighbours say about it!

Sheep are flock animals and really aren't happy by themselves. I'm surprised if 2 is enough for them to be happy... Does 2 sheep make a flock?!

If we're talking a really bog standard suburban garden size, they'll need to put out food as I can't imagine the lawn is big enough to sustain two sheep. 

Sympathies - we live rurally and periodically have sheep in the field behind (farmer rotates them through various fields). When they're there we're used to the 4am baa-ing dawn chorus. I wouldn't be best pleased if it was happening in the middle of a town though.

longleggedhair

The plot is a medium sized residential suburban garden I would say 60-70ft by about 40ft. I also have no idea what would possess anyone to think it was acceptable, it’s quite frankly bizarre and it is affecting the enjoyment of my property. It’s a lovely quiet area, or at least it was.

elsien

Talk to them.
Then come back and let us know, purely because we’re nosey beggars.  
The cockerel that some idiot has decided is the ideal bird to keep in a very small terraced house garden is currently the bane of my life. Not sure which house though to complain to - because of the way noise travels, we’re struggling to narrow it down. 

diystarter7

"talk to them" lol, they will keep the sheep for as long as they intend to and will point out dogs bark more as chickens make more noise and the possibilities, good possibility of falling out.

The angle you need to take is keep a low profile.  Say nothing about the sheep but report to the RSPCA in confidence re the welfare of sheep and see how it goes. If some other neighbours talk to you about them, say little, listen to them and steer them to reporting about the sheeps welfare.

Someone said the "conveants" may bar sheep but often with older houses who the hell is going to enforce the rules.

I reported idiots on our road that have more money than sense when they bought their children two of those damn electric scooters - reported them to the cops - took a while a couple of weeks but then, no more of those illegal/dangerous scooters on our road/pavements, lol.  When the family walks past my house or I see them we exchange a polite "hi" lol.  Best way forward IMO.

NB: In  my experience when I've complained or someone complained about us, feelings change. We had a complaint re noise as builders were starting around 8-30 weekdays and worked until about 5pm - they were just jealous as we told them re works and you can actual start building works earlier than that legally speaking. I never saw them in the same light again.

Your choice.

Btw, any foxes around where you live?

elsien

Are urban  foxes known to eat adult sheep then? 

Seems sensible to me to have a polite conversation with neighbour to find out what’s going on before deciding on the next course of action. 

Hiding behind others trying to manipulate them to report instead wouldn’t be my style, but each to their own.

diystarter7

when desperate yes they even attack humans so sheep is easy prey

elsien

Man eating foxes - new one on me. Raiding rubbish bins seems more the style of the foxes round my way. They certainly haven’t done for the cockerel as yet. 

longleggedhair

I’d not thought of the foxes but yes we have a thriving group of local foxes. I don’t wish any ill for the poor sheep-it’s not their fault but nature may deal with the problem for me  

RobM99

Keeping sheep might be baahed by a covenant!