First post! Flock in creek bed?

[SilveradoCanMan]

Hi everyone, I've been reading as much as I can on here in preparation for the 3 Orpingtons we just picked up! This is such an inspiring and helpful resource, I'm looking forward to being an active member here!

Question one of many to come Im sure...

My property consists of a small plot where our house sits, and then we own a large section of a fairly dry creek bed that does flow when it rains, but for the most part (Socal) we do not get much rain. Would you recommend/codone letting you flock free-range, or be in some sort of tractor in the creek bed? What kind of issues, problems, or concerns should I have doing this?

Or would you strongly advise against letting them roam in the creek bed? Are there any concerns with manure in the water or anything like that? As far as I know, no one is allowed to irrigate or use the water downstream.

If pictures would help please let me know, but I guess I am mainly curious on how the chickens react around a small stream (I mean SMALL) and how they would affect the ecology therein.

Thanks in advance!

 

[katelk]

Hi everyone, I've been reading as much as I can on here in preparation for the 3 Orpingtons we just picked up! This is such an inspiring and helpful resource, I'm looking forward to being an active member here!

Question one of many to come Im sure...

My property consists of a small plot where our house sits, and then we own a large section of a fairly dry creek bed that does flow when it rains, but for the most part (Socal) we do not get much rain. Would you recommend/codone letting you flock free-range, or be in some sort of tractor in the creek bed? What kind of issues, problems, or concerns should I have doing this?

Or would you strongly advise against letting them roam in the creek bed? Are there any concerns with manure in the water or anything like that? As far as I know, no one is allowed to irrigate or use the water downstream.

If pictures would help please let me know, but I guess I am mainly curious on how the chickens react around a small stream (I mean SMALL) and how they would affect the ecology therein.

Thanks in advance!

Creek bed can mean a lot of different things. Is it deep? Does it have steep sides? If a freak rain could put your chickens in water, I definitely would not put them in a tractor or anything in the creek bed. If it is accessible to their free ranging area and they can easily get in and out of it, I would not worry about them choosing to scratch around in there. If you have an open yard for them to free range, they will go where the bugs, worms, and greenery are plentiful. If you have to use a tractor, make sure it is moved every day or 2 to fresh ground. Even 3 hens will demolish their resources in the small area of a tractor quite quickly. You definitely don't want them to destroy the area inside the tractor before moving it because then you will have to wait for it to grow back before using that spot again. Their poo will be in whatever runoff happens during a rain regardless of where they are located so I wouldn't worry about that. The main thing is not risking them standing in water all day if it rains and making sure they have greenery (clover and whatever grows in your yard) to munch on. In the beginning you will stress out about everything, but chickens are pretty easy

 

[SilveradoCanMan]

The creek is 99% of the year a small trickle, at it's deepest parts maybe a couple feet deep. Any rain is So. Ca. is known about well before it happens. Were not in danger of any flash flooding. The sides of the creek are pretty steep, with banks and beaches of dry, plenty of room on the sides for chickens to stay out of the water if they desired. If you look at my avatar, that is a representation of when the creek is flowing, still plenty of room on either side.

Good point about all their poop ending up in the runoff from our yard anyways.

The creek idea would be more of a temporary change of scenery from the normal yard that they will be contained in. I wouldn't plan on letting them free range daily there. More of a special "field trip" for them I guess.

 

[donrae]

My concern would be more of what else likes to hang around the water, especially raccoons. As far as the stream bed itself, your chickens will probably love hanging out there, as much as any free range area. But, everything loves chicken dinner, and that doesn't look like an easily defensible space predator-wise.