Bridge over water to coop!

[Danragg]

Hi guys sorry if this is in the wrong section but i have a small flock of bantys and my yard is split in two by a creek that is about 20cm high and a metre wide, i hoped to free range my flock (under supervision) but they refuse to cross the perfectly safe straight bridge (the bridge is a flat piece of thick wood that goes over the bridge my cats and dogs use it no problem) what can i do to get them to cross without a problem? Should i build a wall to the sides so they can not see the water or? Thanks in advance!

 

[hemet dennis]

Hi guys sorry if this is in the wrong section but i have a small flock of bantys and my yard is split in two by a creek that is about 20cm high and a metre wide, i hoped to free range my flock (under supervision) but they refuse to cross the perfectly safe straight bridge (the bridge is a flat piece of thick wood that goes over the bridge my cats and dogs use it no problem) what can i do to get them to cross without a problem? Should i build a wall to the sides so they can not see the water or? Thanks in advance!

Put the chickens on one side and their food on the other.
Do they have a coop they sleep in ? If they do just put them on the other side of the creek, they should go back to the coop at night.

 

[bdjh]

It could be that the bridge is a little too narrow for their comfort level. Once they cross it once, they'll likely be fine, but if you can't get them to take that first crossing....

20cm sounds like it shouldn't be a problem if they fall in, but take my word for it.....chickens can swim fine....but only for about 20 seconds.....then they become rocks. We let ours into our fenced pool area once in a while - they're great at getting rid of all the bugs that would otherwise end up in the pool - and of course the odd one ends up flying over and into the pool when scared by one of the dogs. I've generally got JUST enough time to grab the pool scoop thing before they go under.....

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How wide is the bridge? Perhaps a photo would be helpful to help identify possible causes of their reluctance. How often are the dogs/cats on the bridge and do your birds show any anxiety about those animals in general?

 

[Danragg]

will get a photo now, we tried the putting them on the other side and waiting for them to go back but no luck, they would go any way other than the bridge, as for the animals no they have no problem with them, Thanks!

 

[bdjh]

I find it odd that they would be nervous about a bridge.....they generally walk up and down ramps all the time, and perch on bars that are far narrower than what I'm assuming this bridge is like.....there's no trolls under the bridge? Perhaps an old man asking questions as a toll? If that's the case, chickens don't know squat about swallows....

 

[Danragg]

camera is not working but the bridge is identical in wight and length as this one but minus the posts on the sides.