How to free range if I feed wild birds?

[backintime]

We have a permanent wild bird feeding station set up on our deck. Should the ground beneath be permanently off-limits to free ranging chickens? Even if i rake it, I'm sure a lot of debris and organisms will remain.

What do the rest of you free rangers do about the bird feeder situation?

 

[raindrop]

I've never worried about it much. The wild birds fly into the run sometimes too, so really no way around contact between them and the chickens in my situation.

 

[Chickaroo!]

I think this is a great question! I too am worried about the same thing. I really enjoy feeding the wild birds but I love my chickens! I hope I don't have to choose. (It'd definately be the chickens)

Hope more replys come in on this topic!

 

[SpottedCrow]

I feed my wild birds in the front yard and the chickens have the back yard.
The wild birds NEST in the backyard, though...

 

[farm_mom]

Same here, wild birds fly into the coop/run and my chickens have even visited my bird feeding station before with no ill effects.

 

[backintime]

Thanks, all. I guess I will stop worrying about it. I'll definitely try to "herd" the chickens to the other side of the house when I let them out, but from what I read here, chickens are way too smart for such tactics! I was mostly worried about whether an area of concentrated bird droppings would be a health threat to the chickens. Even though we rake the area, the soil is most certainly full of ?????? Any other opinions out there?

 

[imprimis]

Quote:
I just wanted to give you a "Howdy" from Sanilac county!

 

[farm_mom]

Quote:
I just wanted to give you a "Howdy" from Sanilac county!

Hi Fellow thumber!!

I'm from Huron County

 

[cath]

I have also had my concerns and I feed the wild birds from a bird table. My girls gather round the bottom of the bird table picking up anything that the wild birds drop, and the wild birds often get into my run too. Ive never had a problem so far, but its nice to know others have the same concerns.