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Original poster

Small issue with my neighbour…

160 replies

TakesTheCake · 02/10/2023 14:50

Our garden is slightly higher than our neighbour’s garden, and we share a fence with a kind of rut/dip underneath it. Half of my garden is lawn but the nearest portion is patio.

We have free ranging chickens and once a week I wash down the patio with the hose and a broom because of the chicken poo. Any bits go into the rut underneath but depending on how long I spend doing it, some water inevitably builds up in the rut and runs onto the neighbour’s path, alongside the fence.

We are on OK terms with the neighbour, though it’s an odd arrangement where our houses are on different streets so I actually have never seen the front of their house and am not sure where it is. We have chatted over the fence, though, and it’s always been friendly enough.

Yesterday I washed down the patio, and the neighbour was in her garden. It was clearly long enough to overspill onto her path as she yelled out that the water was coming onto her path. I apologised and immediately stopped, moving onto the portion of our patio where the water runs into our own flower bed and lawn. However she then yelled again (quite angrily) and said it was still running through. This could not have been additional water as I had moved past that point by then. She said to look over the fence and I did, and what I consider a small amount of water was wetting her path. Clear water not muddy or pooey water. I explained that I really had stopped cleaning that area as soon as she called the first time, and all run-off was now going onto our flower bed and lawn. It must have been just still dribbling through from before. She stomped off into the house angrily while I was standing there.

I’m really dismayed as I hate having any issues with the neighbours or bothering anyone. I feel like it’s just water and I’m not sure what the big deal is but now questioning myself. Should I stop ever using water on the back portion of our patio? We pressure clean it once a year too, and it’s completely unavoidable to stop the water going onto the neighbour’s path. I can try to avoid using water on that segment of the patio that butts right up against the shared fence, or do it as little as possible, but it’s not possible to avoid it altogether.

I want to hang a bag with box of our chickens’ eggs from a fence post so it’s on their side of the fence, with a note to say sorry, but not sure how to word it. “I’m sorry about the water but I don’t get what the big deal is” obviously isn’t an option, but “I’m sorry about the water and I’ll never do it again” isn’t a promise I can keep. I don’t know if the tiny gap at the bottom of the fence can be filled in but that’s something I will look into.

Any suggestions or perspectives? I know it is a small issue but I really want to avoid any bad feeling of any kind.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
BreatheAndFocus · 02/10/2023 18:12

I think there are two issues:

  1. Pooey water
  2. Excess water

For 1) even if the water is minimally pooey, perhaps it’s the thought of it? Would you like them emptying potties in their garden, for example, and then hosing off the liquids and solids so they ran into your garden?

  1. Perhaps it is simply the water that’s annoying her? We had neighbours that randomly had a hosepipe running and the excess water came into our garden. It was annoying. It wasn’t like rain. It was a stream flooding a little border and washing mud down onto our patio. One time it washed out some little seedlings I’d planted, and another time the children were playing on our patio in bare feet with their colouring books and pens and suddenly waters gushing across the patio.

No water should be going from your garden to theirs. Direct it elsewhere or don’t use a hose, only using a tiny amount that your garden can soak up before it reaches the boundary.

PickledFox · 02/10/2023 18:13

It’s not just water, it’ll be contaminated with chicken shit.

Ot sounds like you need to keep the chickens off of that part of the garden or find a way to clean up without the water going into next doors garden.

BreatheAndFocus · 02/10/2023 18:13

No idea where that random 3 came from - I can actually count 😂

Rollercoaster1920 · 02/10/2023 18:13

A picture of the fence and dip might help with potential solutions. It sounds like the patio wasn't edged well on that side to prevent run off that way. Or if the fall of the patio is away from the boundary the issue is the hosing down. A solution might be to fit patio edging pavers, or perhaps deeper gravel boards at the bottom of the fence.

You shouldn't be causing water to run into the neighbours garden at all as others have said. There will be a solution though.

Original poster
TakesTheCake · 02/10/2023 18:15

Mikimoto A little water under the fence makes me a neighbour from hell!? Oh my lord, you have no idea what a neighbour from hell is. We are quiet. We never play loud music. We never have parties. We rush our dog indoors as soon as he barks, when he is outside. I get up at sunrise to make sure the chickens are let out before they make any “let-us-out” noise that might bother the neighbours. We scramble to fix an issue as soon as we find out about one, hence me googling types of sandbags right now, as yesterday was the very first time I knew they had any issue with the dribblings of water. Seriously. Are you having a bad day or something?

And actually, these neighbours have quite a few garden parties, with loud music and until late, every summer and I have never one time made an issue of it even when it keeps the kids up. Because living in close proximity with others involves give and take and dealing with the realities of each other’s lives! FOH with calling me a neighbour from hell! There. You got a reaction. It’s probably what you wanted.

OP posts:
Gillypie23 · 02/10/2023 18:19

It's pretty disgusting you only wash the patio once a week. Should be done more than that. Chicken feed and poo attract rata.

WiddlinDiddlin · 02/10/2023 18:20

You need to make a soakaway drain, if you want to not piss off the neighbours and whether they're being reasonable or not doesn't really come into it.

It's not hard, trench, membrane, gravel and pipe with slots in, so water drains there and doesn't run off to next door.

It may look like clear water but its probably got all sorts in it and if the neighbour gets stroppy enough they could probably stop you keeping chickens and make life very awkward.

All the things you already do to not be a neighbour from hell really won't matter, if they get pissed off and start claiming your chickens are causing toxic water run off into their garden, none of that will be relevant.

Original poster
TakesTheCake · 02/10/2023 18:20

I don’t know how many times to say it but all lumps of chicken poo, if any, first get swept into our flower bed. It’s a quick rinse off afterwards.

Thank you if you’ve made suggestions of what I can do about it. Just because a little water wouldn’t bother me, I now see doesn’t mean everyone will feel the same way, and I’m looking into what we can do. My friend-of-the-family handyman is coming on Friday to look at it and work out whether there is a better option than sandbags.

OP posts:
Original poster
TakesTheCake · 02/10/2023 18:25

Gillypie23 Are you imagining me as some kind of chicken farmer producing eggs for supermarkets? I have four bantams, barely bigger than pigeons, and a large garden. If you get pigeons hanging out in your garden you’re on your way to having the level of poo we have.

OP posts:
scrimpton · 02/10/2023 18:26

Whether or not you sweep the shit beforehand, there will be shit mixed with water entering their garden.

They're obviously pissed off about it, so you should try to find a solution where no waste water enters their garden, instead of minimising the situation.

I wouldn't give eggs as an apology, as that could come across as a piss take.

scrimpton · 02/10/2023 18:28

TakesTheCake · 02/10/2023 18:25

Gillypie23 Are you imagining me as some kind of chicken farmer producing eggs for supermarkets? I have four bantams, barely bigger than pigeons, and a large garden. If you get pigeons hanging out in your garden you’re on your way to having the level of poo we have.

Edited

Yes but pigeons shitting is a natural occurrence. You are knowingly causing shitwater to enter their garden!

Feraldogmum · 02/10/2023 18:28

I cannot believe that with four chickens you're only washing down the patio weekly. I feed wild birds in my garden and if its not raining ,I will hose down daily. I have a pair of semi tame Eurasian collared doves,they alone make quite a mess so I find it hard to believe 4 hens don't require a daily clean up. Surely it must be a tad whiffy?
If your neighbour is normally OK , it sounds like this has actually been an issue for her for a while and she's been gritting her teeth,but has finally snapped.She probably hasn't wanted to have neighbour issues either,so has just been putting up with it. I'd suggest going around ,apologising and saying you had not realised it was causing a problem but that you'd make sure it didn't happen again. Also some flowers or a bottle of plonk would be a better apology gift.

oakleaffy · 02/10/2023 18:45

WiddlinDiddlin · 02/10/2023 18:20

You need to make a soakaway drain, if you want to not piss off the neighbours and whether they're being reasonable or not doesn't really come into it.

It's not hard, trench, membrane, gravel and pipe with slots in, so water drains there and doesn't run off to next door.

It may look like clear water but its probably got all sorts in it and if the neighbour gets stroppy enough they could probably stop you keeping chickens and make life very awkward.

All the things you already do to not be a neighbour from hell really won't matter, if they get pissed off and start claiming your chickens are causing toxic water run off into their garden, none of that will be relevant.

There used to be a girl who kept two ponies {Stabled} in her back garden- as did others {East Sheen, SW14}
Manure and urine runoff was essential to get right- very good drains with traps, and an exemplary muck disposal.

It was far from ideal to keep equines without much turnout, but it did happen.

All those stables are extensions for humans now.

WillowCraft · 02/10/2023 18:46

TakesTheCake · 02/10/2023 18:20

I don’t know how many times to say it but all lumps of chicken poo, if any, first get swept into our flower bed. It’s a quick rinse off afterwards.

Thank you if you’ve made suggestions of what I can do about it. Just because a little water wouldn’t bother me, I now see doesn’t mean everyone will feel the same way, and I’m looking into what we can do. My friend-of-the-family handyman is coming on Friday to look at it and work out whether there is a better option than sandbags.

If there's no poo then why are you washing the patio. The water does contain poo - not solid but enough that I wouldn't want to be paddling in it. I think your neighbour is well within her rights to be annoyed about this.

Having a dog that barks is also annoying. I think you're being a bit disingenuous here. Try and see it from their point of view

Mummyoflittledragon · 02/10/2023 18:46

Rosscameasdoody · 02/10/2023 17:50

It’s not a tantrum - run off water into a neighbours’ garden is a no-no. OP could find herself reported to her local council and the ‘ignore her’ path could lead to a neighbour dispute that could affect any future house sale. Fresh chicken poop is hazardous. It has to be properly composted before use in a garden and If the OP is washing it off her patio any water run off could be contaminated with salmonella and other pathogens. And the chicken poo stuck in the rut will dry out and potentially attract rats - not to mention burning the roots of any delicate plants in the borders. The neighbour has a legitimate grievance so it’s in the OP’s interests to shut down any bad feeling by addressing the concerns and acknowledging that she could be creating a hazard which could potentially affect their health and land her in trouble.

Show quote history

Did you read this op? I would not be amused.

Soapyspuds · 02/10/2023 18:47

I’m sorry about the water but I don’t get what the big deal is

The issue is clearly that you are washing chicken shit on to her land not the water FFS.

Sweep up the shit before washing next time.

WillowCraft · 02/10/2023 18:48

oakleaffy · 02/10/2023 18:45

There used to be a girl who kept two ponies {Stabled} in her back garden- as did others {East Sheen, SW14}
Manure and urine runoff was essential to get right- very good drains with traps, and an exemplary muck disposal.

It was far from ideal to keep equines without much turnout, but it did happen.

All those stables are extensions for humans now.

Show quote history

I have a friend who keeps a horse in the back garden of her (urban) council house in the middle of a huge estate.

MartyFunkhouser · 02/10/2023 18:52

It really would not bother me. But, in the interest of staying civil, could you fit an aco or French drain on the side that is next to your neighbour?

Milkand2sugarsplease · 02/10/2023 18:54

Who does she shout out to when it rains....??

oakleaffy · 02/10/2023 18:58

WillowCraft · 02/10/2023 18:48

I have a friend who keeps a horse in the back garden of her (urban) council house in the middle of a huge estate.

Show quote history

That too sounds far from ideal..Loneliness is the main issue with single horses- they really do need others around them {or a donkey}
A friend went to Dublin and said horses were kept in small back yards-

Turnout is essential for them- just to wander about and graze- They need to be constantly moving about ideally- as grazing horses do- but that's another thread entirely!

Mikimoto · 02/10/2023 18:58

So far we've got:
-squawking cocks
-barking dog
-shit stream under the fence

Oh, and having the "higher" garden, OP is liable for any damage done to the neighbour's.

Rosscameasdoody · 02/10/2023 19:03

TakesTheCake · 02/10/2023 18:20

I don’t know how many times to say it but all lumps of chicken poo, if any, first get swept into our flower bed. It’s a quick rinse off afterwards.

Thank you if you’ve made suggestions of what I can do about it. Just because a little water wouldn’t bother me, I now see doesn’t mean everyone will feel the same way, and I’m looking into what we can do. My friend-of-the-family handyman is coming on Friday to look at it and work out whether there is a better option than sandbags.

OP, it doesn’t make any difference whether there are lumps of poo in the run off water or not. The fact is that fresh, uncomposted chicken poop is hazardous - salmonella among other pathogens could be present - and the run off water could be contaminated. Any poop left in the flower beds can attract rats if it dries out. I think people appreciate you’re trying your best to resolve it, but I think you’re minimising the potential effects on your neighbour and the consequences for yourself if the run off water continues to go onto their property.

Lovelysausagedogscrumpy · 02/10/2023 19:11

You need to plug the gap in the fence or relocate your chickens.

Into the oven with the aid of Paxo !!

Aprilx · 02/10/2023 19:13

TakesTheCake · 02/10/2023 18:15

Mikimoto A little water under the fence makes me a neighbour from hell!? Oh my lord, you have no idea what a neighbour from hell is. We are quiet. We never play loud music. We never have parties. We rush our dog indoors as soon as he barks, when he is outside. I get up at sunrise to make sure the chickens are let out before they make any “let-us-out” noise that might bother the neighbours. We scramble to fix an issue as soon as we find out about one, hence me googling types of sandbags right now, as yesterday was the very first time I knew they had any issue with the dribblings of water. Seriously. Are you having a bad day or something?

And actually, these neighbours have quite a few garden parties, with loud music and until late, every summer and I have never one time made an issue of it even when it keeps the kids up. Because living in close proximity with others involves give and take and dealing with the realities of each other’s lives! FOH with calling me a neighbour from hell! There. You got a reaction. It’s probably what you wanted.

With your last few posts, you really are starting to sound very unpleasant now.

This is not a bit of water, if it was then there is no need for you to turn on your hose to pipe clean water onto your neighbours property. You are quite clearly washing your chicken shit off into your neighbours garden. You need to stop it.

I am also quiet. I also don’t have parties. I also make sure my dog doesn’t bark outside. But you know what I also don’t do, I don’t keep chickens and wash their shit off into my neighbours garden.

Missingmyusername · 02/10/2023 19:14

“I would make a very obvious point of binning them “. What an absolute waste of food- shame on you!

I think either it’s more water than you realise, although you say you’ve seen the amount, or it’s the thought that it’s poo water…. Or you caught her on a bad day…

I can’t say that I would be bothered since there’s all types of poop in a garden anyway. Here we get fox poop, squirrel poop and caught a hedgehog on the patio cameras so I presume hog poop too, probably cat poop. Lots of poop.

The sandbags sound like a good idea. I would love some truly free range chicken eggs, wish you were my neighbour.