Chickens and Swimming Pools?

[DaveD]

Why not put a safety fence around the pool? I know you said it's in the middle of the yard, but that only means it would be a stand-alone fence only around the pool. You can also get temp fencing to put up and then you can take it down if you have an out-door party or something.

-David

 

[faziostore]

Ya, I have been wanting to fence in the pool for a couple years for several reasons. My husband is not excited about how it would look. I already have my sideyard fenced for the chickens and a separate fenced area for my garden. I like your idea, David, of a temp fence. Maybe I can figure out something.

Thamks
First Time Chicken Mama
in Phoenix

 

[Uzuri]

The big difference between a pond and a pool (or a bucket, for that matter) is the drop-off, they get in and can't get back out.

I'd get yourself a good hard cover for the pool if it's not to big for one. Keeps all the leaves and dirt out when nobody's swimming, too. And if somebody's swimming they can rescue anybody that falls in

 

[redhen]

I have an above ground pool and a few kiddie pools in my yard... I've had chicken for 2 years now... i've had no problem so far...

 

[TriciaHowe]

I've lost chickens to the horses water trough. I later found out though that they were being "helped" in by the shetland pony we had. She would see them perched on the side and use her head to knock them in....Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.....

 

[Jess N Jeff]

I have ducks and chickens in a large run together. I have a small pond in the run for the ducks. The pond is a black lined in ground pond, so it just looks like a black hole to the chickens. I have never seen any chicken go near the pond let alone try to drink out of it. They stay far away from it. I have never had any problems, but...there is always a possability that someone could get too curious.

I just make sure that the chickens have plenty of water sources around for them. Good luck

 

[faziostore]

Really?! Wow such mixed results....interesting. I can't even predict what to expect from my girls.

I do really appreciate everyone's input.

First Time Chicken Mama
in Phoenix

 

[Jess N Jeff]

The great thing about BYC is that some many people do things differently. It can be a little confusing at times, but at least you know you can experiment a little. No real hard and fast rules...other then loving your chickens

 

[purr]

My white silkie rooster drowned in the goldfish pond.I now have a ramp in there so they can get out.

I lost one of my dark brahma banties to drowning in my above ground pool. Something must have startled her and she landed in the pool, now we keep it covered.

 

[CodyDunn]

Quote:
While it is possible a grown chicken could drown, I don't think it's too likely that they'll get close enough. We have a huge pond that many of my chickens would fly over to get to what they wanted(lol too impatient to go around I guess). There were quite a few times that they didn't quite get across but none ever drowned. They just calmly doggy paddled out. Now if there aren't any steps in your pool or something, they could certainly drown. However, if you are out there with them you don't have to worry about them falling in and you having to jump in to save them. They really don't struggle(unless they encounter a log or something to get out on, then they will flap), they float just like a duck, they swim for the edge and you could just dip them right out!

I read about physical therapy in water being much more beneficial for people with injuries and my boss rooster had a limp that he seemed to have had since he was a teenager. I put two and two together and thought I'd give it a shot. We had a small horse trough and I cleaned it and filled it with water. I waited a day so the water could get to be a nice warm temperature with the summer sun. Then I would let my little rooster swim for a while. When he'd get close to an edge I'd just nudge him in another direction. If he got tired he'd just quit paddling and chill. We never did that for very long periods, maybe ten minutes at a time. I'd do it a couple times a day every day or if I had school, just once a day after I got home. A few weeks and he quit limping! If I stopped having him swim he'd favor the leg a bit, but then we'd head back to the tank for some physical therapy and it always helped!