Should I tell neighbour to stop it? (diagram included)

[NanuNanuM]

I cannot decide if to tell my neighbour to pack it in.

They constructed a shelter for their - - stinky-- hens this winter (hens been here for years). It's a thin wood frame covered with tarpaulin. Height level with the fence.

When it rains it sags with water. Neighbour goes into hen shelter and tips the rain into my garden.
When it snows (we've had lots of snow showers) it sags so neighbour goes into to shelter and pushes it into out garden.

I have some small shrubs (delicate - think mini trees), right under that fence and they are getting damaged with the weight of the snow suddenly dumped on them. One was in a pot so moved it.

Would I be a mardy cow to tell them to stop it?

I'm really not sure that shelter is acceptable for the hens either. We looked into getting some and the requirements are quite extensive. Although I could have been looking at what you should do rather than what you have to do.

But yeah, tell her she's damaging your plants and to drain the snow and rain onto her own property.

I'd puncture it in the night...

@forrestgreen

I'd puncture it in the night...

You would flood innocent hens? Nice

Surely they have drainage in the henhouse? How else would they be cleaned? And perches? Chickens don't sit on the floor they have perches?

I am planning in my head a drainpipe contraption to send the water into their garden...
Though a high trellis on the fence panel with a climber might be good.

The chicken area totally reeks and we have a huge fly issue in the summer and cannot leave our patio doors open. So gross. So thinking a perspex panel might be good on that fence area to stop some smell coming through - we cannot sit there in summer.

But if we nicely say anything, neighbour gets defensive and it's exasperating. Certainly getting worse as they get older.

The chicken area totally reeks and we have a huge fly issue in the summer and cannot leave our patio doors open. So gross. So thinking a perspex panel might be good on that fence area to stop some smell coming through - we cannot sit there in summer.

Environmental health are your friends. Get them to intervene. Chickens shouldn't stink if they are being looked after properly and cleaned out regularly.

For the water, you are not BU. Tell them to stop now - it is unlawful to allow excess water to flow onto someone else's land (except normal run-off, which this isn't) particularly when it's loads at once like this and causing damage.

Just tell them - they are inconsiderate idiots. (Watch out for rats!)

@NanuNanuM

I am planning in my head a drainpipe contraption to send the water into their garden... Though a high trellis on the fence panel with a climber might be good.

The chicken area totally reeks and we have a huge fly issue in the summer and cannot leave our patio doors open. So gross. So thinking a perspex panel might be good on that fence area to stop some smell coming through - we cannot sit there in summer.

But if we nicely say anything, neighbour gets defensive and it's exasperating. Certainly getting worse as they get older.

Mention to Environmental Health and possible RSPCA then

Hate to tell you OP but chickens attract rats and rats love to live under decking - which I see you have ...

One of my neighbours had one of those giant paddling/swimming pools and used to tip it out so it went into my garden - the lawn was like a swamp! He thought I was being a bit off with him until I pointed out potential damage to my wall and my expectation that he would pay for repairs - he soon stopped doing it!

That would upset me. Just go around and say -can you put a sloping roof on downwards into your garden as it is damaging my delicate plants when you knock it all off. Also they shouldn't be smelly -how often does she clean them out? Be careful I have never seen a chicken coop without a rat nearby. And they can burrow under the coop and your house!
www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/keeping_chickens_fact_sheet/Keeping+Chickens+-+avoiding+nuisance+to+neighbours+Factsheet+%282%29.pdf

From the link I posted
What do I need to be aware of under UK nuisance law?
Local councils are legally obliged to investigate any complaints made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 relating to public health and nuisance issues. With regard to keeping poultry this normally involves noise, odour and the attraction of insects and vermin. In cases where our evidence shows thatany of these issues is causing a
significant interference with another person’s
use and enjoyment of their property we can serve a legal notice on the person(s) responsible for the nuisance requiring action to be taken to stop the problem or face prosecution for non-compliance. With this in mind it is important to ensure that you practice good hygiene and house-keeping not only for the welfare of your hens but also to avoid causing problems for your neighbours.

So you can ask them to relocate it and away from your house and fence. Ask nicely and if they don't point out it is against the 1990 Act and print off the link and give them a copy.

It's really anti social to have them right up against the fence near the house. Grim. I'd definitely contact environmental health

YANBU. Buy her a long handled squeegee so she can sweep the water/snow all over herself into her garden instead of yours.

@StoneofDestiny

Just tell them - they are inconsiderate idiots. (Watch out for rats!)

That has just made me realise that I haven't seen a rat in my garden since next door's last chicken disappeared. I used to see a rat coming through the hedge a couple of times a day.

And yes, they stink, and they make a lot of noise.

I know I sound like a miserable old cow, but I'm not convinced that keeping poultry in a built-up area is a good idea, tbh.

@NanuNanuM

I am planning in my head a drainpipe contraption to send the water into their garden... Though a high trellis on the fence panel with a climber might be good.

The chicken area totally reeks and we have a huge fly issue in the summer and cannot leave our patio doors open. So gross. So thinking a perspex panel might be good on that fence area to stop some smell coming through - we cannot sit there in summer.

But if we nicely say anything, neighbour gets defensive and it's exasperating. Certainly getting worse as they get older.

Phone Environmental Health at the Council?

@dingdingdenny - oh yes the rats... The rat man has to come and lay those horrid poison boxes (another neighbour complained).

Found mummy and babies nesting in my compost pile last year 😫.

There's also a little mouse family who live next to the hen house and pop to see me but I quite like them. And our cat likes them even more.

The eggs must be awful quality as there is 5 of them in a 3m square area. They are on paving slabs with straw thrown down as they destroyed the lawn area which became a mud swamp. It is cleaned once a week.

RSPCA were called out a few years by a neighbour but all deemed well.

Undramatic update but I'm mardy cow status is ramping up.

End of last week after a snowfall I could hear scraping. Open my bedroom window to see neighbour in her hen tent using a spade to shift the snow off her hen tent into our garden.

I said very nicely "what arrreeee you doing?"
No response but she scurried off back inside.

Yesterday whilst we were out on a long (local) walk she rearranged the tarpaulin so all the rain drains into our garden (it's really obvious).

It feels so petty. But I'm pissed off now.

I would be tempted to attach a large piece of Perspex to the top of the fence or something! Cheeky cow

I would put something up to stop it. Just cardboard would work temporarily.

I see a chicken stew in your future..

I joke 🐔😂

My ex however kept chickens and they definitely shouldn't smell that bad if they are cared for properly. If RSCPA won't do anything might be worth trying environmental health or the local authority.

As for the tarpaulin. Is there anyway you could attach something to the top of the fence at that part so it can't drain into yours?

Wow, in that case I'd ring environmental health this morning, both for your sake and the hens

I think perspex is the way to go. Our fence has wind gaps but think it would be worth putting perspex sheets slightly above the fence and all the way down the fence panel.

Will try and see the condition of the hens and contact Environmental Health.

It is not acceptable to arrange run off across a nighbour's land, are you downhill from them? Water is allowed of course ot run naturally downhill but not to be directed across a neighbour's property and cause damage.

The most important thing is that you stop caring what they say to your other neighbours. Everyone who knows them knows who is the problem here.

I agree with environmental health. Also, is she allowed to keep chickens? Some councils won’t allow it. That hen house is far too close to your house.