Free range

[Silverbullet555]

Howdy,

we have about a bit over 1/2 acre in our backyard. We have a patio, swing set, lawn, etc.

If we were to free range our chickens over the entire backyard are they going to make a mess of our play areas? There is a coop, but it is in completely the wrong place for a run for the birds.

I think I know the answer, but wanted to check with the experts.

 

[nchls school]

Howdy,

we have about a bit over 1/2 acre in our backyard. We have a patio, swing set, lawn, etc.

If we were to free range our chickens over the entire backyard are they going to make a mess of our play areas? There is a coop, but it is in completely the wrong place for a run for the birds.

I think I know the answer, but wanted to check with the experts.

It would depend on how many birds are in the flock. I've had as many as two dozen free range birds at one time and there has not been a lot of mess; lots of feathers when the birds are molting. Our yard is fringed by trees and a woodlot where the birds spend a great deal of time, but the yard proper stays fairly nice. Our dogs are a bigger issue when trying to keep the yard nice. I'd much rather step in chicken poo than dog poo. The dogs dig a lot more holes and they drag anything not tied down. No so the birds. Our garden plot is fenced to keep out the birds and dogs. None of the critters spend much time in the front yard. If you have a huge flock there's going to be a mess. And a sand box-that would be a magnet for chickens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I can almost guarantee that the more you want chickens to stay out of a certain area, the more attracted they'll be towards it. (Yes they'll put holes in the lawn and poop on the patio)

 

[Sixandahalfacres]

It might work to throw some sunflower seeds or some other treats in the area you want them to hang out each time you let them out. Truthfully, chicken poop doesn’t bother me a lot... it dries pretty quick and doesn’t smell after is dries unlike other pets! We have 6.5 acres and out chickens still come on the deck and poop!

 

[Mtnboomer]

They will poop everywhere they go and scratch and dust themselves in flower beds.
It can most certainly be done with a few considerations. If you have landscaping or wish to, plant robust, woody specimens instead of herbaceous flowers that are more easily damaged. Plant fruit producing trees and shrubs like blueberry, crab apple, strawberries. This will provide forage, entertainment, nutrition, and save on your feed bill. Designate an area for dusting. Provide a dusting area such as a 4x4' sandbox. They will still dust where they want, but it may help minimize the disturbance of mulch in flowrr beds and can help provide grit.

I have noticed very little scratching in my grass and so no damage (despite my birds having access to our entire property, they stay within a 1-1.5ac area around the house). Damage to a lawn is usually the result of confinement (run or tractor), too many birds/too small of a yard, or no other alternative areas. Environmental enrichment disperses activity and gives plants a chance to recover.

Provide security. Keep wildlife and dogs from accessing your flock.

Be a good neighbor. Keep chickens from escaping.

Regulate flock size based upon damages. Reduce numbers if/when damage exceeds allowable levels. Accept the fact that there will be scratching in the mulch, poop on the porch, flowers picked, etc.
Bottom line is that if you choose to free range, you will need to make some sacrifices in order to keep them happy and your sanity.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is one way to find out. A half acre means an area about 100' x 200'. It doesn't take them long to cover 200' when grazing. They will determine where they want to go. They poop wherever they go.

Chickens like to perch, just for fun. Swing sets and things on a patio often make great perches. They often forage until their crops are full, then go to a shady area to digest that food before heading back out for more. In the shade they feel better protected from hawks flying overhead. Mine take dust bathes wherever they want, but in the same areas each time. Occasionally that is in a sunny location but often it's in a shady area.

Chickens love to scratch. Some of their favorite places are areas where you have mulch, like landscaping beds. Loose soil like where you are trying to grow things is tempting but they really like to scatter mulch everywhere while looking for creepy crawlies.

They poop wherever they go.

I think I know the answer, but wanted to check with the experts.

I think you do too.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Thanks all.