Chickens won't roam

[ladyhand]

I have been allowing my 4 pullets (approx 6-7 weeks old) to "free range" around our moderately sized back yard, of course supervised, but they only want to stay on or right next to my stamped concrete patio, or under the deck (which is right next to it). How do I get them to be brave enough to go somewhere else around the yard? I'd prefer the poop in my yard, not my patio.

 

[Blue Raptor]

I have been allowing my 4 pullets (approx 6-7 weeks old) to "free range" around our moderately sized back yard, of course supervised, but they only want to stay on or right next to my stamped concrete patio, or under the deck (which is right next to it). How do I get them to be brave enough to go somewhere else around the yard? I'd prefer the poop in my yard, not my patio.

If you give your chickens an occasional treat out in the middle of the yard, it would help. Discourage them from going on the patio by shooing them away. Don't worry, younger chickens tend to stay close to home, but they will roam soon (they always do!).

 

[LizzzyJo]

I second @Blue Raptor. They will roam further on their own terms as they grow. Get them off the patio though - that will get icky.

 

[Birdie mom]

Agreed.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How do I get them to be brave enough to go somewhere else around the yard?

Be patient. As they grow and mature they will roam more.

I'd prefer the poop in my yard, not my patio.

Good luck with that. They will decide where they want to hang out when they are not out foraging. Usually that's in the shade if it is hot, under something to protect against flying predators, or on something where they can perch. Perching seems to be really enjoyable as play. If they are pets and lap chicks they may hang around the patio to be close to you.

If you have trees that provide shade and maybe keep the ground under it bare they might like that. Those are often good areas for them to take a dust bath. Maybe put something there they can hide under or perch on, that might get them to spend most of their down time there. It might help some if it is near where they sleep at night. Often at first they seem to like to hang in the area they sleep but soon they will decide where they want to hang. That could be anywhere.

 

[ladyhand]

Fhey

Be patient. As they grow and mature they will roam more.


Good luck with that. They will decide where they want to hang out when they are not out foraging. Usually that's in the shade if it is hot, under something to protect against flying predators, or on something where they can perch. Perching seems to be really enjoyable as play. If they are pets and lap chicks they may hang around the patio to be close to you.

If you have trees that provide shade and maybe keep the ground under it bare they might like that. Those are often good areas for them to take a dust bath. Maybe put something there they can hide under or perch on, that might get them to spend most of their down time there. It might help some if it is near where they sleep at night. Often at first they seem to like to hang in the area they sleep but soon they will decide where they want to hang. That could be anywhere.

They like to “forage” on the patio dead grass, spider webs, whatever. They do go under a crate myrtle of the stairs for dust baths, but always come back up this way, even if we aren’t. I thought they’d hang out towards the back corner, at a minimum under the trampoline this weekend while we were building their coop behind the fence, but they snuck back up here the first chance they had.

 

[Silkie Princess]

Your hens will start free-ranging in a couple of days. Is it hot where you are? If there is shade in the patio they may be trying to cool off.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

If you give your chickens an occasional treat out in the middle of the yard, it would help. Discourage them from going on the patio by shooing them away. Don't worry, younger chickens tend to stay close to home, but they will roam soon (they always do!).

Careful what you wish for!!! Soon they’ll be more confident and curious! Ahhh, its a great big world out there!

 

[Headofthehenhouse]

I have been allowing my 4 pullets (approx 6-7 weeks old) to "free range" around our moderately sized back yard, of course supervised, but they only want to stay on or right next to my stamped concrete patio, or under the deck (which is right next to it). How do I get them to be brave enough to go somewhere else around the yard? I'd prefer the poop in my yard, not my patio.

I am having the same issue with 2 candy corn polish. They will stay exactly where I put them….. all day long. They are 10 weeks old and have zero survival instincts!! They stayed in the same spot for 8 hours today. My other hens have accepted them, but when these two get pecked at, out of curiosity, they just sit there and stare my dog runs up to the fence and barks and they just sit there. Never seen this before honestly.

 

[SamLockwood]

They'll get more adventurous as they get older, but even as adults how much they'll roam depends on how much forage they can find. During the summer time my flock wanders all over the property. In winter time most of the ground cover dies and there's no bugs so they tend to hang around the house and the feeders most of the time.

If you want someplace to remain poop-free you'll need to fence and / or gate it off. I had good luck putting up some "toddler gates" on the back deck to keep them off.