Chickens on the deck to roost....

[coolpsychnp]

Hi there- I have three 3 month old chickens that I have allowed to do a lot of free-ranging. They are secured in their coop in an "upstairs area" at night where they huddle together to form a big fluffy ball. They have been jumping their 4 Ft fence and winding up on the table on our deck at nightfall then there's poop and feathers all over!! Any suggestions on training them to head into the coop in the evening vs heading to my deck table to roost. Was hoping to not go higher than 4 Ft on the fence but maybe that's the answer. Is the a certain age when they start roosting vs forming a clump in a corner? Thanks-

 

[lazy gardener]

I'd hose them off the deck every time they came on it. My deck is a chicken free zone. I sometimes have to remind them of that. A hose, or a bucket of water does a wonderful job. I would keep them off the deck 24/7 b/c they will not understand why they are allowed on the deck earlier in the day, but not at roost time.

 

[coolpsychnp]

I'd hose them off the deck every time they came on it. My deck is a chicken free zone. I sometimes have to remind them of that. A hose, or a bucket of water does a wonderful job. I would keep them off the deck 24/7 b/c they will not understand why they are allowed on the deck earlier in the day, but not at roost time.

OK- thanks. Will give that a try-

 

[tigger19687]

Maybe Bird netting over the top of the fence?
I have that on my run. They are able to freerange in the back yard and Front yard (only when I am there to watch).
Today is HAWK DAY as there are 2 in the area hoovering around in the sky.
I locked them up in the run area because it has netting over it plus a shade cloth over 1/2.

 

[coolpsychnp]

Maybe Bird netting over the top of the fence?
I have that on my run. They are able to freerange in the back yard and Front yard (only when I am there to watch).
Today is HAWK DAY as there are 2 in the area hoovering around in the sky.
I locked them up in the run area because it has netting over it plus a shade cloth over 1/2.

Yes, I'm considering the netting as well-thanks!

 

[tigger19687]

FYI, I had the plastic netting for my fish pond last Fall and thought that it wouldn't be good for the Chicken run this year. So I bought a big FABRIC/String type. BAD IDEA, it knots, Tangles and rips. The Plastic one ripped too but at least it could be held taunt and not be droopy on the slant that I have to have it on.
Mine goes from the 8 foot back fence down to the 4 foot fence.
When I redo my coop and run it will all be TALLER !

 

[coolpsychnp]

Our run has 2 sides 6 ft fence and 2 sides 4 ft. plastic chicken fence. Think I'll be getting some type of netting once the leaves fall from the trees that now cover the area-

 

[aart]

I'm guessing it might be too crowded and/or stuffy in the coop.