Bird feeder debris and free range chickens

[Bill A]

Our new chickens will soon be free ranging in our backyard, where we have a bird feeder loaded up with black oiled sunflower seeds (which chickens love). I'm not worried about the chickens getting at the feeder (too high), but over the years a lot of debris has collected under the feeder and I wonder if this is breeding ground for disease. I have no doubt the chickens will find this stuff and scratch through it.

Bill

 

[colebarnhart]

Probably not a problem, but if you're really worried about it, can't you just clean it?

 

[Pinky]

My chickens love to go under my bird feeder, but I never had the debris build up before. If you are worried, you can clean the area under the feeder.

 

[Bill A]

Quote:
Well, sure, to a point. But all of the old sunflower shells and so on are by now pretty much integral to the soil.

Bill

 

[colebarnhart]

Probably be the least of your worries with them free ranging.

 

[Bill A]

Good point there.

Bill

 

[bobbi-j]

Ours love to clean up under the feeder. I don't think the built-up debris will be a problem. And on the upside, they should help keep it clean under your feeder from now on!

 

[Ginagallina]

Good question I was wondering the same thing. I have had 2 bird feeders in my back yard for several years now. Opposite side of where my chicken yard and coop will be but on evenings I wanted to let them out and run the whole back yard if I'm out supervising and keeping an eye out for the local hawk couple. I have read so much about mites and birds and etc. that I was worried about under those feeders too

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

The way I see it, wild birds have at some time or another walked, pooped, nested or dropped something on every single piece of your property at some point or another, you really can't keep the chickens from coming into contact with things the wild birds might have contaminated. My chickens will eat small birds, mice, frogs, snakes, fish and probably a whole host of things I don't know and don't want to know about. I seriously doubt the sunflower debris will be a problem

Good luck with your soon to be free rangers!

 

[aart]

The way I see it, wild birds have at some time or another walked, pooped, nested or dropped something on every single piece of your property at some point or another, you really can't keep the chickens from coming into contact with things the wild birds might have contaminated. My chickens will eat small birds, mice, frogs, snakes, fish and probably a whole host of things I don't know and don't want to know about. I seriously doubt the sunflower debris will be a problem

Good luck with your soon to be free rangers!

This is true, but why bring more wild birds to your property?

Wildlife, of any species, congregating in large numbers....like what can happen when people feed them.... can lead to an uptick of disease and parasites.

Birdfeeders also can draw hawks to the area.