Chicken run on septic field?

[rebelcowboysnb]

I would say it would be the best place for them. It would stand to reason that it would have the largest worm population on your property an the best drainage in wet weather.

 

[LynneP]

I agree, if it's a small number. I certainly wouldn't build a run over one, but the plants and soil shouldn't harm chickens/eggs.

 

[Carlos]

I measured the area and is 150 x 100. That gives me 15000 sqf for 20 chickens max. I was thinking in creating smaller pens inside the run, lets say 2000 sqf each and rotate the birds on a weekly basis and avoid denuding that way. Any advice?

Again, thank you all for your responses.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Sounds like a great plan, but... Even though that is smaller than the 1/2 acre you originally said you were going to use, 20 birds are not going to tear up an area that large. Also, unless you have the materials laying around, fencing can be expensive. I keep 15 birds on half that and they really aren't a problem. The only bare spot is the heavy traffic area just around the coop.

 

[setter4]

Quote:
Among his many other hats, my DH installs septic tanks and occasionally designs systems. he says there is no reason this should be a problem.

 

[Carlos]

Mac

I could extend it to half acre and more if needed. I measured the area that is already fenced in to keep the horses away. The mound for the field is about half of the 15000 sqf. I will set the coop on the non-septic portion so the traffic around the coop will not disturb the field.

Thank you very much to all for the advice.

 

[patandchickens]

I wouldn't put a *run* on a septic leachfield, for the sake of the leach field as much as the sake of the chickens... but having them free-range an area that simply *includes* a leach field doesn't sound particularly scary to me.

You would want to keep an eye on things, and if they start denuding the area of vegetation or digging significant dusting holes then you might have to take action to keep 'em off it. Probably wouldn't happen, you'd just want to be paying attention, you know?

Good luck, ahve fun,

Pat

 

[LynneP]

And keep in mind that whether you care about the zoning regs or not, building over the septic field may bring in an inspector, and you know how easy it is to find all sorts of, um, contraindications to code...