Can I keep our chickens away from the house???

[Untouchablemily]

We currently have 11 chickens who are kept in a covered run (plenty big enough for them). I've been wanting to let them out to free range but my husband is totally against chicken poop all over by the house.

We live on almost 6 acres and the coop is a good distance away from the house. Is there anything I can do or put out (bird feeder, etc) to keep them away from the house while still being able to free range?

 

[snow5164]

Nope , if you let them out they will be on your front steps pooping ....

I’ve read many posts about people trying to control where they go from fences that they fly over to rocks and water set ups .

How about electric poultry netting ? You could make them a movable area ??

 

[New2Chicks97]

We have 10 acres and the coop isn’t all that far from our house but our birds have never ventured into our front yard. They are content to explore the horse pasture and the area around the garden. I think it depends on where the best eating areas are on your property. The areas with the best bugs and dirt baths are around the horse pasture under the willow trees and by our garden so that is where they go naturally.

 

[imnukensc]

I have a little over 2 acres, 6 chickens, and 2 dogs. When I walk into the yard it ain't the chicken crap I'm worried about stepping in. The chickens rarely venture onto the front steps, the back steps, or the side deck.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Depends, where is your garden? Mine escape and run right to the garden or compost pile!

 

[Untouchablemily]

Thank you everyone for your input! Our garden is right next to their run and I'd love it if they would go in there to clean it up at the end of the season... The coop is about 250-300 feet from our back deck with plenty of things to get into close to the coop...maybe that will keep them occupied!

I think I should just try it, see where they go, and ask for forgiveness later if I need to

Next thing...we dont have many trees at all on our property and with three roosters, I'm hopeful they can stay safe from predators. I'm still so nervous that someone is going to get attacked out there! Is lack of trees a good thing for safety against predators???

 

[New2Chicks97]

Thank you everyone for your input! Our garden is right next to their run and I'd love it if they would go in there to clean it up at the end of the season... The coop is about 250-300 feet from our back deck with plenty of things to get into close to the coop...maybe that will keep them occupied!

I think I should just try it, see where they go, and ask for forgiveness later if I need to

Next thing...we dont have many trees at all on our property and with three roosters, I'm hopeful they can stay safe from predators. I'm still so nervous that someone is going to get attacked out there! Is lack of trees a good thing for safety against predators???

Depends on the predator. Ground predators a lack of places for predators to hide is nice. But any flying predators like hawks, falcon, owls and such will have an easier time getting a free chicken dinner if the chickens have no where to run and hide.

 

[snow5164]

Why not make them a few hideouts , they will appreciate getting out of the sun.

A picnic table or a dog house there are many things that they’d enjoy pooping all over

Have fun your set up sounds like paradise for the birds

 

[KentuckyRooster]

You can try and see!! Mine stay around their pens and the barn area. Frequently found in the stall in the horse poops. So they may not come up to the porch. Hard to say.