Cleaning around the coop

[Potatofire101]

Hi, got chickens for my birthday a little more than a year ago. I was so caught up in the moment that I didn't really think about the downsides of having them in my smaller California backyard. They are doing great and there really are no issues except that they have killed all the grass and buried everything in this weird kind of dirt. My family and I want to have a nice backyard to go outside to but all the grass is dead. Is there any way I could clear up wall the fallen shavings and hay without killing the grass? I have also talked to my family about moving the chickens to somewhere with more space nearby (live next to a small ranch) but they tell me I'm too eager to get rid of them. I love my chickens and would still do their chores everyday. Is it wrong of me to what them to have more space and get my backyard back?

*Edited by staff*

 

[azygous]

You are wise and practical. I commend your ambition to want to make things better for your family and your chickens.

You are on the right track - more space for your chickens will improve things for everyone. There's no shame in considering the neighboring farm for this space as long as you can work it out with the owners and continue to take responsibility for your chickens.

As for your family not being on board with your plan, they would probably respond better to a well thought out plan where you have worked things out with the farmer, how you will accomplish your goals, how you plan to pay for the move, and you can show them how this will improve the leisure activities in the backyard after the chicken debris and damage is cleaned up. It's otherwise known as "having your ducks in a row" when presenting a plan.

 

[hlhutchinson]

You are wise and practical beyond your years. I commend your ambition to want to make things better for your family and your chickens.

You are on the right track - more space for your chickens will improve things for everyone. There's no shame in considering the neighboring farm for this space as long as you can work it out with the owners and continue to take responsibility for your chickens.

As for your family not being on board with your plan, they would probably respond better to a well thought out plan where you have worked things out with the farmer, how you will accomplish your goals, how you plan to pay for the move, and you can show them how this will improve the leisure activities in the backyard after the chicken debris and damage is cleaned up. It's otherwise known as "having your ducks in a row" when presenting a plan.

I agree completely with this
good luck

 

[aart]

Could you just keep them in a run to save part of the yard for the family?

If you rake up the 'chicken stuff' off the yard the grass will likely come back.
How long that would take might depend on how big the yard, how many birds, and your climate.

 

[blackdog043]

What aart said and maybe you could down size to 3 or 4 chickens, if you have more than that.

 

[Potatofire101]

Thank you for all the advice! I have five chickens in total and I'm not considering getting rid of any. Also, I have tried to rake up the hay and pine shavings every time I clean the coop but I always miss a small layer that builds up. The small shavings most times will go through the rake.