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.

 

[sophiegnr]

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.

Thank you!!! Ours have about 1/3 of the yard fenced for 5 anyway so this does make the most sense!!

 

[BaaKaaawk]

I'm surprised your dogs are not cleaning up the chicken poop for you. It's like candy to most dogs............................... eww.

 

[sophiegnr]

I'm surprised your dogs are not cleaning up the chicken poop for you. It's like candy to most dogs............................... eww.

Hahaha I’m sure they would and do but we have a collie and he has such a sensitive stomach so we don’t want him getting sick!

 

[Altairsky]

When I was a kid I spent all day playing in my grandparents farm, there was chicken poop, pig poop and cow poop everywhere. I grew up with the strongest immune system available to humans and today I barely catch a cold.

 

[Yardmom]

We don't worry about cleaning the yard. Nature takes care of that (a smaller space might get more of a build up). If needed kids can be cleaned. As @Altairsky alluded to when you see kids and animals running free together it is not because there is not poo, it is because no one is worried about if the kids get dirty.

 

[K0k0shka]

Well I grew up on a farm too, playing with animals, doing chores and building up my immune system. But we had standards. There were areas meant for the animals, and areas that were off limits to them and kept clean. Wanting to walk or sit somewhere not covered in sh** isn’t too much to ask for, and isn’t incompatible with a life shared with animals. It’s basic hygiene and common sense.