Chickens and swimming pools?

[littledon]

I was just thinking about putting up the pool this summer and I thought about the chickens. I didnt have chickens last year. How do the chickens act around a swimming pool?

 

[chfite]

If it is above ground, there would not be the risk that they might unintentionally fall in it. My chickens seem to be intrigued by water, but I don't know that they can swim.

Chris

 

[Den in Penn]

Do search for "swimming, pool,chickens", several threads come up. yes they can swim. but they are not water prof like ducks.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Someone posted not too long ago that they came home to find their favorite hen had drowned in the pool. I know of one other local posting to another group that they came home to find their hen in the fountain. She was soaked through and exhausted. They got her out and dried off and warmed up and she lived but it was close.

 

[silvercat76]

I have an in ground pool that has a fence around it and have never had a problem with my flock flying over the fence. I think it's because there's always some noise in the area.

 

[donrae]

I've lost pullets to drowning in water troughs, so it's possible. Personally, I wouldn't want to chance my birds getting close enough to poop in or around the pool, cause everyone's going to be barefoot there. Trust me, stepping in chicken poop barefoot is not something you want to do! And then having it in your pool......

I'd just fence the pool off from where the birds can be.