Can I teach them to stay off the patio?

[Lucy4]

I realize they're not dogs.

But my husband can't take the chicken poop on the patio. I prefer to free-range them, and they have a big fenced-in back yard to run around. Yet no matter how many times I chase them off, they want to be on the stone patio, pooping up a storm. DH's temper is rising. Anything I can do to "convince" them to stay off of it?

Thanks.

 

[jafo]

why not put a small decorative fence around it?

 

[Chickenaddict]

I have the same problem with our patio, driveway, deck, sidewalk going around the house. No way to avoid it unless you put up some sort of fencing or get used to hosing it down everyday like I have to do.

 

[Lucy4]

A small decorative fence would be a great idea... except that if it's anything under 4 feet tall, my chickens will hop right up on it and over! Man, they love that patio. Rosie will even come up to the glass sliding door and stare at me belligerently.

 

[Casey3043]

In a word, no. Chickens are not trainable to that degree. They want to be where the action is, where the treats are, where you are. The only thing you can do is make it more desirable for them to be elsewhere. Mine love an outdoor perch I put up in their yard. It is simply a 2 X 4 on upright posts in the ground, about 27 inches up. They have their morning and afternoon nap times where they all get on it and snooze for a while. It's easy to clean up under it, and it keeps the poop (mostly) in one small area.

CASEY

 

[Lucy4]

That's a great idea. Will give a try. Thanks.