Free ranging with Kids

[WhatsUpDuck]

If you have a small yard you can't really keep them from pooping where the children play. I really only see the option of a chicken diaper which isn't really realistic for an everyday solution.

 

[sophiegnr]

I put a lot of hay in my chicken run or yard. When I want to be with the chickens - go into their yard. Your kids can have special shoes for this. Then when they go out, they take the shoes off- this will keep your people yard cleaner, and really your porch, or patio, outdoor furniture. They won't be dragging in chicken poop into the house on their shoes.

Yes this may be the best way haha my oldest does have some special boots for the chicken yard and he goes in some to hang with them or get the eggs!

 

[sophiegnr]

If you have a small yard you can't really keep them from pooping where the children play. I really only see the option of a chicken diaper which isn't really realistic for an everyday solution.

I know I’m asking for a solution that doesn’t exist haha! Our yard is pretty small and they already take up at least 1/3 of it with their fence!

 

[K0k0shka]

That's one of the many reasons I don't free range. With a small yard, it can build up really fast and get really gross. Instead, I invested in a large and spacious run, which the chickens never leave. My kids grew up with the chickens and, especially when they were younger, they were constantly in the run hanging out with the chickens, digging holes together, having tea parties, making a mess, whatever, so it never felt like they were missing out on chicken company. I bring a folding chair into the run when I want some chicken time. Then I come out onto a clean yard where I can walk barefoot without stepping on gross mines. And the chickens never "beg" because they've never been outside, it's not even a concept they have so they don't know to ask for it. Everybody lives happily ever after.