Chickens stepping in own poop?

[emimiller8]

I am very new to raising hens. Had my hens less than a week so far. They are 11-15 weeks old. They are always stepping in their own poop. Should I clean it off them? They all run away from me whn I try to hold them. Also, they could care less about the treats I give them. They like their all flock and grass/weeds around the coop. What do I do? I really want my girls to be tame and friendly and like me! And I am worried about them getting sick by having poo on their feet. Any suggestions and advice I greatly appreciate. Thanks, Emily

 

[feeding frenzy]

You can remove as much poop as you can off the ground and move to a compost pile but that will require a lot of maintenance. Easiest way I find is use the deep litter method inside coop/run that way their poop get covered by the litter and less of their poop will be on the bottoms of their feet. Try feeding them treats off your hand. Once they get close to you and become familiar with you, you can pet them. My flock runs whenever I try to pick them up but they follow me around everywhere in the yard for treats

 

[emimiller8]

They could care less about treats. Maybe I'll sacrifice some worms from my worm bin or get some meal worms from the pet store. I hear they like that. I've tried lettus, scratch, carrot tops, and they won't come eat it even if I throw it to the and walk away.

 

[Going Quackers]

I see there older birds? basically time and food. See ours have been raised with us since chicks so are quite used to us, being there and handling them, a wee bit of an odd situation where the run is not attached so they have to be carried over to it, so on days they are out they are carried back n forth lol

On days, when there in i clean around them.. heck, half the time i have to gently nudge them out of my way, i clean daily.. obsessive? perhaps, but i like a clean coop and i know it keeps the girls clean doesn't take long to remove waste from the roost and the coop floor. I can handle my birds so if a foot is dirty i can wipe it off, but again i would continue with food/treats and just your presence eventually they learn you = food and aren't about to eat them, as prey animals there first instinct is run!

 

[leesbunny]

Try raisins. Mine stampede for raisins.

 

[leesbunny]

See ours have been raised with us since chicks so are quite used to us, being there and handling them, a wee bit of an odd situation where the run is not attached so they have to be carried over to it, so on days they are out they are carried back n forth lol

I saw a cool thing called a chunnel. This is basically a tunnel for the chickens to walk through, made out of fencing, in order to get to their run. Is this a possibilty for you?

 

[TXchickmum]

I don't know if waste on their feet poses any health hazards, but one can definitely minimize by utilizing deep litter or daily cleaning. I preference cleaning the run three to four times per day when I let them out to roam around the lawn. -too, clean the coop out every morning. This isn't necessary, just a preference. My gals don't get dirty feet, but it does require some time and effort. I know some that use the deep litter method, and this works really well to help eliminate the mess. I suppose it is a matter of personal preference/time constraint.

As far as treats, I suggest mealworms. -think that eventually they will come close for these. Also, as far as chickens being pets and being handled, I think it depends upon the chickens and if they were handled from the time they were chicks. Our family carried the wee chicks around from the time they were a day old. They imprinted to my daughter, and followed her everywhere. She still has two that will come and jump in her lap to sun (at 8 months of age). All of them, minus the OEGB (very independent), will come for mealworms and kale. They do prefer to forage on the lawn as opposed to being cuddled.

-good luck and enjoy your birds!

 

[Going Quackers]

No, it's simply to far away... we intend on getting a winter run built onto the side of the coop but you know best made plans and all. TBH the girls enjoy the interaction and it sure has them tame lol Since it's a small flock it's only a wee bit of extra hassle obviously if it was more birds THEN that would be a pain.

 

[1muttsfan]

Walking through poop will not harm your chicks.

 

[Jarrettfarm]

Hi
We are new to keeping chickens and we have a small flock of 4. they are about 2-3 weeks old now, but here is my issue...
The smallest gal has gotten poop stuck to her talons. Big blobs of the stuff that have turned into hard cement lumps on the ends of her toes. I try to scrape up the soiled bedding every evening, and clean the brooder box out completely once a week, but I can't be on it 24/7, and she just must walk in it the most. The other 3 don't really have this problem.
Is there any way to clean it off once its dried? I tried to pick a little off, but she just struggled too much and I did not want to hurt her, so I left it. Is this something I even need to be concerned about?
any comments would be appreciated!