Help keeping chickens off pavers

[Vwise507]

This is 1/3 of our backyard, the chickens free range all day and although we love that they keep hanging out on the pavers and pooping all over it. We can no longer sit on our pavers and relax because of all the poop and extra flies. We thought of putting up a little fence or something to block them off but it needs to be something we can open and have the ability to get to the gym set fast Incase the kids get in some trouble.
Any ideas? Anything that would look good too? And be safe for the lawn company that comes in once a week.

 

[aart]

Ah, another Romance meets Reality story.
Poops all over everywhere is the number two reason my birds are confined to a run.

You're probably best off making a run with a mesh or solid roof to keep the chickens contained, I would imagine poops in other places are an issue with tiny kids running around.

Curious what the lawn company does...does it include spraying chemicals?
I bet they not too fond of working in and around the chicken poop.

 

[Vwise507]

Ah, another Romance meets Reality story.
Poops all over everywhere is the number two reason my birds are confined to a run.

You're probably best off making a run with a mesh or solid roof to keep the chickens contained, I would imagine poops in other places are an issue with tiny kids running around.

Curious what the lawn company does...does it include spraying chemicals?
I bet they not too fond of working in and around the chicken poop.

It’s deff is for my husband! I knew poop would be everywhere HahahA.

I’m not ready to enclose them just yet, that would honestly make more work for me and there just isn’t a good place that’s either always wet or always in the sun, the free range gives them the ability to move where they are comfortable.

The poop isn’t an issue anywhere else with the kids. They wear shoes and step in it and that’s is, no big deal. Gym set gets some too but I spray it down every few days, no biggy there either.

The lawn company only mows and like edges and stuff. we don’t use any chemicals on our lawn, we don’t believe it’s good for Florida long term and chose to not use them regardless of chickens and kids. The chickens do tend to free out A LOT when they come but they hide and pant for the 10 mins they are back there. I’m worried one day it might give them a heart attack but for now I’m not sure what would be best for them with the lawn people. The lawn people don’t seem to mind the chicks, I think the gymset annoys them more hahaha

 

[aart]

Well, then build a run around the patio, with a door to get to the kids if needed.
Would have to be pretty tall, or roofed, to keep the birds out.

The bird should get used to the lawn work.
Mine used to be petrified of the mower,
now they stand nearby cause they know it'll rustle up some bugs.

 

[Vwise507]

Well, then build a run around the patio, with a door to get to the kids if needed.
Would have to be pretty tall, or roofed, to keep the birds out.

The bird should get used to the lawn work.
Mine used to be petrified of the mower,
now they stand nearby cause they know it'll rustle up some bugs.

Thank you! I think we will try something like that tomorrow.

That’s great hearing about getting used to it, it’s been the most stressful thing every Monday HahahA I feel so bad for them!

 

[aart]

That’s great hearing about getting used to it, it’s been the most stressful thing every Monday HahahA I feel so bad for them!

Course I let my 'lawn' (I use that term very loosely) get pretty tall before mowing,
might be way more bugs in mine than yours,
and they are in a run so they know they're 'safe'.

 

[arrowti]

Pretty much same as above. If they can get to places you don't want them they will go there and poop on it all day long. We stopped free-ranging because they would literally lay on the deck ALL DAY LONG just crapping massive piles everywhere, despite having a massive 1 acre lawn and tall grass and bug-land everywhere.

We put in a fence. They have a large area still, but no access to our deck.

 

[Vwise507]

Course I let my 'lawn' (I use that term very loosely) get pretty tall before mowing,
might be way more bugs in mine than yours,
and they are in a run so they know they're 'safe'.

We’ve got Florida bugs so basically red ants and mosquitoes HahahA

I’m gonna see how things go with a new barrier, maybe they won’t might it as long as they are happy everywhere else

 

[Broodygranny]

I know someone who put a motion activated water sprinkler in the middle of her garden to keep the free range chickens out. When they get too close they get sprayed. She said it works. Maybe a motion activated water sprinkler would work for you!

 

[Vwise507]

I know someone who put a motion activated water sprinkler in the middle of her garden to keep the free range chickens out. When they get too close they get sprayed. She said it works. Maybe a motion activated water sprinkler would work for you!

Wow! That’s an amazing idea! Deff worth a try!