Chickens and Swimming Pools?

[beckyschicks]

I lost two in the horse water trough. Different ages and times of the year. Don't know why it happened but that was last year and it hasn't happened since. I think part was low waterers in their coop, the water was low but not gone. I would just make sure they have water available in that area.

 

[msteresaann]

You might want to get a heavy duty long handled leaf skimmer to rescue one with if it did fall in. Just slip it underneath the bird and lift it out of the water to safety. I think it would work great as long as the rescuee doesn't try to use it as a spring board in its panic.

 

[faziostore]

Good Thinking....I will have the leaf skimmer ready and waiting. These girls just love adventure, so I think they will be thrilled to check out the rest of the yard.

Maybe I'll send a pic next week

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
Mid-spring through mid-fall, my chickens get water from the pond (I scoop it up in their waterer) and in winter when the pond is frozen, they get well-water from the house which is tapped into the same spring as the pond (love my 25 foot deep well

)

Still, I've never seen my hens go by the pond.

Then again, there's a great blue heron that likes to land in the shallow end. It's hilarious to see our rooster try and "challenge" him. He'll strut over with his chicken growl as if to say "Don't you be messin' with my women," and the heron will usually take off, too.

 

[faziostore]

Your well sounds wonderful. I can't even imagine how cold it must get there to freeze your pond. My chickens have a chicken wire coop with a plywood roof to keep that one day of rain out each year. I would not put it past my girls to go right for a drink in my pool, when it gets 118 degrees this summer. I have one who is especially seemingly unafraid of anything. I call her the NON-chicken.

From all the responses, it seems like it depends on the chickens. I will see how they do for a couple hours in the late afternoon...... Remember to, "watch your chickens around water".

Have a great day!

First Time Chicken Mama

 

[michickenwrangler]

You can the pond in the background.

Wild turkeys stay out of the pond too.

It's cold enough that there are no weeds around the edge, so no ducks either. Very clean.

Keeping the dog out in summer is another story ...

 

[faziostore]

What a beauiful view! The wildlife must be so cool to watch.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I've gone through more than 40 chickens so far, sold some, lost some, gave some away.. I have a medium 1/4 acre pond, and have never, ever had anyone drown in it. my chickens stay far away from it... at least 10 feet. They'll wander past it on their way down the driveway, but never even go check it out. and they are not super smart birds. I say throw a floaty in, or tilt a ladder in. My neighbors dog came up one time and scared my young pullets INTO the pond... they swam (sort of like flying, but really bogged down) to a partially submerged tree, and I had to go get the canoe after I'd gotten the dog to leave...sos... and use the paddle to get them off the tree. yeesh. but still, nobody drowned.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

The big difference is in a pond, it is has a natural grade. Mine walk into the water at the edge of the creek all the time. They love to stand in water when it gets hot outside.
The pool on the other hand is a drop off. If they walk up and want a drink and lose their balance, they fall in and can't just walk out.
They can also get spooked and fly or jump into the pool with no way out.

I wouldn't let them in that area without you being there every minute. No bathroom breaks for you!!!

Jean

 

[faziostore]

Your right Jean....Good Point! I will have to let them roam late in the day, when I know they will head for the roost in an hour or so. It's hard to think like a chicken.

Thanks!

First Time Chicken Mama
in Phoenix