In-ground pool, will my chickens drown?

[growinupinfl]

Oh this is one I actually know the answer too!!!

I have an in ground pool.. And we have had several chickens fall into it. One was trying her wings and decided to fly across the pool, one just knew she could get that bug down there, and a few others we have no idea why or how they went in.

We have not lost a single chicken due to the pool. In the summer it is actually kinda funny. I heard a splash when I got out of the shower, she flapped like crazy for a second then before I could get dressed and get her she relaxed and was just floating along in the pool. Feet trailing behind her like a duck, just checking out the scenery, drank some pool water no mater that was telling her not to.. And she did manage to find a bug before I could get her out. It was a really hot day and I just lifted her out she shook off and was fine.

Our Polish fell in we don't know when, my oldest found her in the morning when she opened the skimmer. The little thing was soaked to the bone. We brought her in wrapped her in a towel, gave her treats. After a while she went back out and attacked the dog she doesn't like.

We had a barred rock fall in this winter the water is COLD. We brought her out and put her in a tub of warm water for a few seconds to get the bitter cold out of her. Then used a blow dryer on her and she was fine also.

Yes they might fall in but they float, rather well I might say. So no worries.

The only problem about letting them free range around the pool is the chicken CRAP... Oh my goodness it is annoying. I'm always washing the deck. I think I'm going to put something up to keep them from the pool not so they don't fall in but so I can go get in my pool without worrying about stepping in chicken crap.

That is my experience. So I think you will be fine as for the drowning thing. As for the stepping in chicken poo... your gonna have to figure that one out.. LOL


Have fun with your babies.

Christal

 

[PizzinoChickens]

We found one of our grown (about 9 months old) Americanas drowned in the pool yesterday morning. I had no idea the pool was a danger to chickens, just figured they'd stay away. She was the one of our 11 chickens that always escaped from our fenced-in chicken yard by the side of our home and would wander around our back yard. She found her own special place next to a wall behind some aloe vera plants to nest and lay her eggs. Then she would come over to our porch and squawk at me through my office windoow (I work from home), as if asking to be let back into the chicken yard (she could get out but apparently wasn't good at figuring out how to get back in). We were very sad to lose such a sweet chicken -- especially our 12-year-old son as they are his pets.

 

[Aria]

We raised Call Ducks and we have a Pond. The pond is surrounded with perennials. The Chickens need to walk down a path from the Pond out of the Chicken Barn. No problems. We don't let our chicks out until they are grown. Regards, Aria

 

[KaitlynChick55]

I would worry more when they are younger, because they are quite a bit clumsy. but as they get older, it probably won't take them long to figure how to get out when they slip in.

 

[jlmrazek]

I do a chicken count every night before I close my coop and I was 1 Welsummer short. looked everywhere for her and could not find her the next morning I got up to let them out, and went to feed the fish i gouess she fell in and drowned...... i was sooo upset

 

[Athenax79]

I know this is an old post but just wanted to add I have a small three foot deep pond in my back yard and I've lost 4 chickens of all ages in the last few months. Lost a sweet 10 week frizzle today. Going to have to figure out an enclosure for the pond. Also my ducks hate the pond and will not get in it.