any ideas on how i can keep my free range chickens off the porch and out of the dog food?

[Micheane]

its getting annoying, the chickens eat all the dog food, so my poor dog is left hungry, and all the poop on the porch is nasty.... just wanted to see if there is any way some of yall have found that works to keep them off besides a gait

 

[bobbi-j]

Fence them out.

 

[ChickInDelight]

Let me know what you figure out. Presently, I am feeding my cats AFTER the chickens go to bed.




I also toss catfood on the ground for the birdies if I am feeing the cats during prime time. I have read (here) that catfood helps molt, so I don't mind sharing a bit.

 

[leadwolf1]

I don't believe that anything keeps them out unless you fence them in away from the porch. We tried, but they just flew right up onto the rails...

As far as feeding the dog..maybe you could feed him inside?

 

[Back2MyRoots]

We had the same problem with our hens. I tried several things people suggested, like putting snake-away aroun the porch (which resulted in my yard always smelling like moth balls), putting a thick layer of pine cones around the porch (which was supposed to be uncomfortable to walk on but wasn't), laying down pest netting on 2x4s to keep it elevated (which was supposed to tangle their feet and scare them away, but didn't) and finally, just put up a short fence that did keep them out until they figure out that they could fly over it! So now, I feed the dog and stay out until she has finished eatting, and the chickens have no interest in the porch once the dog food is gone. Suppose I will take the fence down next week.

 

[donrae]

I free ranged my birds for five years until I finally got tired of those same things. So now my birds have a nice big run.
Chicken poo on the porch + rain = slicker than snot.

 

[Mattemma]

I used bamboo poles and plastic fencing.Attach with zip ties. I got tired of the poo too.Boy that stuff is like cement. One day they had congregated on my back porch,and I had one right at my open door! Looking for a handout I guess.

 

[Micheane]

well thank you all, ive figured out all they want is the dog food, and now they got bored with the porch and stay off

 

[DobermanGuy]

well thank you all, ive figured out all they want is the dog food, and now they got bored with the porch and stay off

I like to keep the food bowls full for my dogs but have learned that they don't really 'need' full bowls all the time. They only eat once per day (not counting snacks).

Mine prefer to eat in the evening so I try to make sure the bowls are full then. Does not matter much to them if there is no food in there during the day because that is not when they usually eat anyway...

Not to mention the fact that feeding your dogs at the same time schedule each day will also help them develop a more regular potty schedule...

 

[DobermanGuy]

Let me know what you figure out. Presently, I am feeding my cats AFTER the chickens go to bed.




I also toss catfood on the ground for the birdies if I am feeing the cats during prime time. I have read (here) that catfood helps molt, so I don't mind sharing a bit.

That picture was priceless...

(sorry - had to say it)