Season 5 episode 23: The Hooffields and McColts

That would have been one way to solve the problem.

In fact, I read a few comments on Fimfic from people complaining that the episode didn't go for that solution—claiming that was the most realistic solution to the problem, and that "Think of the children! I mean, animals," was an unrealistic/naive resolution. I say nuts to that. There's no guarantee either side would have put aside their grudge just for their own benefit. Even in real life, people will knowingly inconvenience/hurt themselves just to get at someone else. "Cutting off your nose to spite your own face" and all that.

I think both approaches would've had their pros and cons, though I can see why they'd decide not to go the "mutual interest" route. First, because it would've been so obvious, and second because like Meta said, it emphasizes the pointlessness of the conflict when it's clearly in their best interest to resolve the feud, but they still don't. That said, the "animal" thing really did sort of come out of nowhere. It would've helped if there had been a few moments showing them going out of their way to notice the animals rather than ignoring them. Nothing major, just a "wait, stop the pumpkin-ing until that rabbit is out of the way" or something.

Yeah, that would've been really tough to cram into one episode. Though you're right that it would've helped to give us a reason to get invested into the conflict.

That and the fact that it would've been nigh impossible for the cast to remain impartial, and also it would be weird to have the feud be a major thing yet have it have never shown up before.

Yeah some of them have pretty... odd designs.