Chickens pooping all over the deck-help!

[LillianMae]

So my six chickens seem to think it's fun to stay on the deck, practically all day, and poop all over it. I am at my wits end, I love my chickens so much, but this is just disgusting! Is there any way to deter them from the deck, without getting screen to keep them out? We also have cats that would just tear up the screen.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm sorry but I think - a place for everything and everything in its place.
Fence them out. Otherwise you could put some kind of robotic device that chases them away.
They're coming onto the deck because you bring them treats and they know where your backdoor is so they're waiting for them.
Creatures of habit.
Quit giving them a reason to follow your movements.

 

[Fletch83]

Crazy chickens! Two of my EE's love to hang out on the nice chairs on my front porch and leave me lovely gifts of chicken poo all over the place, so I feel your pain!

 

[jsmith2952]

We had the same problem. Our deck is fenced and has a gate but they could still fit through the rungs. We put a 8" tall swath of chicken wire around the bottom of the fence. It wasnt overly visible but it was enough to keep the hens out (and no, they hadn't figured out the fence is only 4' tall and they could easily jump it if they wanted to). It kept them out all summer and when I took the wire down this fall, they didn't notice--now the only time they get on the deck is if someone leaves the gate open.
Hope this helps!

 

[LillianMae]

I don't understand why they do it, I don't give them treats from my backdoor, I bring it all the way down about a mile from the house and call them to it.

 

[Den in Penn]

Sounds like they just like to hang out there. Fencing or other deterrents are needed. Being creatures of habit you need to change those habits.

 

[donrae]

That's exactly why I quit free ranging. Chicken poop on wood in the rain is slicker than snot and your boss will only accept you being late because you had to go back in and change so many times.

 

[LaDonne]

I feel your pain as well! We have had our birds for almost 1 month and one of out free ranging roosters "Chester" came to us with his flight feathers cut. From day one he has rooster on our front porch railing. I feel helpless because he can't fly and if I ousted him he would be in grave danger. I mean it would be offering him up to dinner for any # of predators. My question is how long before his flight feathers grow back?!?!!

 

[teach1rusl]

LOL...another "feel your pain" here! With us it's the front porch. Nothing like a big pile of pudding poo laying there to accidently step in/track in. At least the solid poo I can sweep off easily (I keep a broom there just for that purpose). I've just accepted it for now. I'm sure if you were diligent about keeping handy and using a squirt bottle or squirt gun every time they're on the deck, they would learn to avoid it. I'm not that diligent...lol.

 

[Freia]

Would this be the scene? Please can we come in and have some hot cocoa in the couch and watch Chicken Run with the kids? Pretty please?

I have no clue why they do it. At our house, it's part of teir routine. They get out of their inner pen to free-range. They wander around for a couple hours scratching and pecking, then they take a sort of siesta on the deck - preening and pooping, then they move along after a couple of hours ad act like normal chickens again. We've been laying down 2 deck-chairs across the entrance to the deck for now until we get a gate built. they all pack in behind those chairs and peek through the rungs coveting the forbidden deck.