Matt Leigh

We live on a 1/4th of an acre in the suburbs. The back yard is southern exposure, but is shaded heavily by neighbors trees. Chickens and goats are technically legal, but are covered under a nuisance law. If the neighbors complain about smell or noise, I have ten days to remove animals. The neighbors already think I'm weird. They most likely would complain since it's not the norm.

Is anyone else in my situation. I want to live in harmony with nature while my wife wants to live the standard Mid-western suburban lifestyle. She wants to keep the lawn while I want to whole yard to be a garden. I would rather live in the country and she wants to live next to the mall. I want chickens goats and bees while she wants a de-clawed indoor cat. Any advise on how we can live in harmony? (Please no "get a divorce" responses since that is out of the question)

Is there an issue with having an outdoor cat with free range chickens? I want to get both and was wondering if I should get the chickens established first, then get some kittens mostly for rabbit and vole control.