What's the difference between a rooster and a lawyer? A rooster clucks defiant, while a lawyer ...

Greenwich man complains to selectmen about crowing from neighbor’s roosters: ‘From dawn until dusk’

GREENWICH — A long-running dispute between two neighbors over the crowing of noisy roosters could lead to a broader examination of town codes about keeping live fowl on residential properties.

Resident Aron Boxer, who says he loves animals, went before the Board of Selectmen and asked for restrictions on keeping roosters.

“I am here to get peace,” Boxer, who lives on Walnut Street, told the board Thursday. “Peace of mind and literal peace from the cacophony of roosters littering the peacefulness of the day. With their constant crowing, they go from dawn until dusk. ... Sometimes I get a reprieve for an hour or two, but that is rare.”

“I love animals. I have two dogs and I have nothing against any breed or any animals. Chicken, ducks, geese, cats, whatever you like. I’m not here to interfere with anybody’s ability to enjoy animals and birds,” he said.

But ….

In addition to the constant noise, Boxer said the roosters roam on his neighbor’s property and could wander onto his land.

The neighbor, Boxer said, has told him multiple times that he would get rid of the roosters. And Boxer said the neighbor left a white noise machine in his mailbox and “told me to deal with it.”

Rooster owner

Boxer did not identify the neighbor before the Board of Selectmen, but he told Greenwich Time after the meeting that Peter Janis, a resident of Valley Road, is the owner of the roosters.

Janis confirmed to Greenwich Time on Thursday that he has had chickens and roosters on his property for the past seven years. He said he once had four roosters but has given two away. Then, coincidentally, Janis said he found a new home for the other two on Thursday and was taking them there.

His goal was to find homes for the roosters because he did not want them euthanized. Janis said he believed he had found the roosters a good home, which he hoped would deescalate and end the problems with Boxer.

Also, Janis confirmed he had left the white noise machine for Boxer. Janis said he meant it as a genuine gesture because he uses the same device and said he told Boxer “this should help you” when he gave it to him.

Janis said he has soundproofed his chicken coop and said he never lets the roosters out until after 9 a.m. on weekdays and after 10 a.m. on weekends. In all the years he has had the chickens and roosters, Janis said he has not had any other complaints.

“I am not breaking any law,” Janis said. “I am doing everything within the rules.”

It was unclear what the town can do, at least immediately.

Animal control is covered in Chapter 4, Article 9 of the town code, [Town official Michael] Long said, but it mostly covers location of coops, stables and kennels.

And there is no protection under the town’s noise ordinance because “noise from an animal is exempt,” Long said.

Residents are permitted to keep chickens on their property if rules are followed, Town Director of Planning and Zoning Katie DeLuca said. The rules cover no slaughtering, requiring a special exception approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals to sell eggs and setting size and location rules on chicken coops.

Those rules only cover chickens. “There are no rules on roosters,” DeLuca said.

Boxer questioned why anyone would keep roosters.

“Everybody knows that roosters are a nuisance, and they serve no purpose in the chicken community,” he said. “They are not needed for hens to lay eggs and have the potential to be aggressive on top of the noise pollution they create.”

I know Peter Janis; he’s a fellow real estate agent, and a nice enough guy, in a goofy sort of way, though he’s never struck me as the type to keep four roosters tucked away in his back yard. For that matter, I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone who keeps that size inventory of defiance-cluckers amid such a small gathering of ladies.

But my sympathies here lie with the neighbor: have you ever lived next to even one rooster? They’re as loud and obnoxious as peacocks, and you definitely don’t want to live next to a peacock. And at that, the male peacock only screeches during peacock mating season, while for the typical gallus, every day is a day to crow about.

A person named Rochelle Frank has written an amusing article for “Pethelpful.com”: 6 Reasons to Keep a Rooster In Your Yard". She actually offers only five “good“ reasons, from protecting hens, to entertainment, to aesthetics: they look pretty, though she does ask, and answer, this question: Will Hens Be Happy Without a Rooster? In fact, she says, they will:

We have had small flocks of three to five hens, and they seem perfectly happy without a rooster. In fact, hens tend to be better “pets” and more people-friendly when they are not constantly being chased by a large feathered and spurred suitor.

(And notice that she refers to “a” rooster throughout her article, not a kamikaze squad of four.)

She then she comes to reason No. 6, which I suspect is meant tongue in cheek, though our pal Peter may not read it that way:

6. To Annoy the Neighbors

I tried to think of a sixth positive reason but could not. Despite their procreative talent, their protective nature, and their attractive looks, they also have a few negative traits.

They are loud and annoying. They don’t just crow at sunrise as you may have been led to believe. They crow at any time of day, just because they can. I think my hens are deaf.

They can also be aggressive and dangerous, especially toward small pets and children. Take care to protect chickens, pets, and people with a sturdy enclosure.

Roosters develop sharp spurs on the back of their ankles, and they know how to use them. Rudy once attacked me and left big bruises above my knees. Luckily, I had heavy Levis on at the time. He has since been taught to reluctantly respect a person holding a five-foot length of small diameter PVC pipe.

Your local ordinances may prohibit noisy roosters as a general nuisance. If there is no law against them where you live, you may still have nearby neighbors who are highly displeased at having their peace disturbed.

I have heard of people who have friendly, approachable roosters who still look after the flock and perform other rooster duties. I had high hopes for Rudy but have not had a real friendly one yet.

Rudy, our current rooster, is rather “feisty,” but we have many predators here. Over the years, we have lost several hens, so we take precautions and tolerate his pugnaciousness.

I stand with Mr. Boxer.