Free Ranging when we're home - Poop Problem?

[lhousesoccer]

Hi - I'm building our first chicken coop that will house 5-6 layers. We live in the country on 20 acres, mostly wooded. We have about 1.5 acres cleared around the house (house, deck, driveway, lawn, garden).

I'm hoping to let the chickens wander around outside free when we're home, but recently different people are telling my wife that we will have chicken poop all over everything. Will it really be that bad, or do these people not know what they're talking about?

Thanks!

 

[truckerswife]

I have 7 chickens free ranging my backyard. Yes, there is poop everywhere but just hose it down it "melts" into the ground . I think the feathers decorating the yard are more annoying than the poop.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Ditto on the feathers. I fence mine off of my deck because of the poop, and our cars are outside of the main fence. Otherwise, they get free reign of the back and front yard and I don't notice the poop when it's in the grass.

 

[VerlonCox]

I have over 100 chickens that I free range on a daily basis............I HAVE a poop problem but I also have some of the prettiest grass around! With 5 or 6 hens you wont have anything to worry about in my opinion and if you plant a little alfalfa for them to peck at your eggs will taste twice as good as they do now. Throw in a little lespedeza for a wormer and you are golden. My birds like the somewhat cleared woods behind the barn and I can honestly say that they have cleared a little of it by themselves for me (I actually have grass growing in some of the spots that they kicked up). Dont listen to the nay-sayers, free range your birds and they will pay you back in the long run!

 

[Beekissed]

Keep them fenced away from your porches and walkways and you won't notice it much. Also...you need a good poop-eating dog!

I have the best system in the world...my dogs eat the chicken poop and the chickens scatter and pick through the dog poop. A self-cleaning free range situation!

 

[NonnasBabies]

I have 19 and I only free range when I'm at home! Mine occasionally end up on the porch and I just shoo them away but most times their just in the yard, flower beds, garden, etc. And I really don't have a problem with poop!!

Missi

 

[cowdogcadillac]

just check your shoes at yer door. I hose it into the grass daily. I don't even have to mow my backyard,,they eat all the tips off the grass and it stays a constant length.My personal flock of mini dixie choppers

 

[Quail27]

When I had chickens (I had three... before they were killed by raccoons), I was CONSTANTLY scrubbing the walkways and porches. And if you don't get it ASAP, it is a real pain to get up... almost cemented to the walkways. Unless it is very fresh, you can't just hose it off, you have to scrub it off.
I personally could really care less if there is some poop on the lawn though.

 

[DaveD]

Quail27, What if you put some anti-slip epoxy on the cement? Think it might make it more washable (And nicer looking - I wouldn't mind making the back porch look more comfortable), my wife might appreciate the cleaning part (And I am certain she would appreciate the comfy part, too)

-David

 

[Spore]

Quote:
Brilliant.