Chickens and Swimming Pools?

[faziostore]

I currently have my seven hens fenced in my sideyard with the coop I built for them to roost at night. They run the side yard all day and put themselves to bed in the coop each night....works great. They have done such a beautiful job with the grass, I would love to let them have the run of the entire yard all day. My question is if I let them run the entire yard during the day, would they drown in my pool? Thank you for any and all advice on this subject.

Sorry if this is a dumb question.....I am new

First Time Chicken Mama

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

They might drown in the water, even if you have water in their coop they will try and get a drink for your pool and drown. Can you fence it in or something?

 

[Godsgrl]

First of all, your question isn't dumb. It is perfectly legitimate, and shows you are a caring chicken owner.

Secondly, yes, you do need to worry about the pool. It is possible for a chicken to fall in and drown. Maybe you could let the chickens free range in the area with the pool while you are out there with them, to prevent any accidents. Is it above or in ground? I think I'd worry more about an in ground, where they could accidentally topple in. Good luck!

 

[Keri78]

I'm assuming you have an in-ground pool? But my guess would be that they wouldn't have any interest in getting too close. Chickens have lived on farms for many years that had ponds and I've never heard tell of a drowned chicken?!? I would think you're pretty safe with adult chickens ..now baby chicks who knows? I would keep them away from the pool area until they get big enough to know better. I love the fact that my chickens free range our entire property...it's so cool! But just a warning they will poo on your concrete! My poop occassionally on my sidewalks..but no biggy..I just wait for it to dry up in the sun and then sweep it off into the grass. Blessings, Keri

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

A few weeks ago, I had 2 full grown chickens they were about 2 or 3 years old and they both drown in a water bucket that was out for our milk cow.

 

[faziostore]

Thank you so much for responding! Yes, they have really become "my girls". They were meant just to be chickens, but once you get to know their personality, they are like all my pets.....extended family

The pool is an in ground pool. It's in the middle of the yard so not easy to fence it in to make it safe. Maybe you right, I could let them in the main yard in the late afternoon, while I am outside. They will return to the coop at sunset, so I could close them back in the sideyard once they are all on their roost. I'm just afraid I would really panic if they fell in. It would make a really funny video if one fell in because I would likely fall in to save her.

Thanks Again!

First Time Chicken Mama

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
We have a large spring-fed pond on our property and thus far, the chickens have shown no interest in going by it. Even though they will hunt and eat frogs, they only eat the ones that wander into the yard. If they get thirsty, they drink from a puddle or scamper back into their run.

Last fall when I was getting the garden ready for winter, I let the hens scratch in it even though they were only about 8 feet from the pond. They didn't get any closer than that. When it was time to go back to the coop, they walked around the pond.

I used to work at a ranch that had free roaming Wyandottes and RIRs. There was a creek that went through the property and no chickens ever went near it.

Mrs. FluffyPuffy, I'm sorry for your loss. Did they try to perch and lose their footing?

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Well I think what happened was the water was almost gone in the bucket, and they lost their foot hold and fell in. Oh, wait a second ... only 1 drowned the other fell off the roost while it was sleeping and broke it's neck, and of course it was a BO HEN!!!

 

[Ariel301]

When I had chickens as a kid that were being kept on a property with a pond and plentiful water buckets/stock tanks, they would drown pretty regularly in all the water sources. I would not let them around the pool without supervision.

 

[faziostore]

That is just horrible that you lost two so close together....that sucks!

I think maybe I'll let them out only while I am with them. It's possible that chickens, like other animals, get use to the smell of the water they drink. If they have been drinking water from a faucet, it smells much different than water in a pond, lake, or stream. The pool water would tend to be similar to tap water, so they may try to get a drink. They could very easily fall in cause it's a long way.

I appreciate all the information and advice. Every time I have a question you guys are so nice about helping out.

Have a great day!

First Time Chicken Mama